Blazer vs Suit Coat

Blazer vs Suit Coat Some people think that the terms blazers and suit coats are synonyms and that you can use them interchangeably. Others think that the only difference between the two is that suit coats come with matching pants. But the truth is a little more complicated than that.

Blazers and suit coats differ in a wide range of important areas, which include shoulder construction, fit and formality.

Shoulder Construction The shoulders of blazers are constructed similarly to shirts, by simply attaching the sleeve of the blazer to the body of it. This provides the shoulders with a clean and simple look in comparison to a suit coat. It also provides a more relaxed fit in the shoulder area than a suit coat.

The shoulders of suit coats are constructed entirely differently than blazers. They have small amounts of padding in both the shoulder area and the area where the sleeve meets the shoulder.

This gives the shoulders more definition, shape, and contour.

Comfort and Fit Blazers are designed to fit loosely around the body, especially in comparison with suit coats.

They further have a much more natural look to them, as they let the body define the material instead of the other way around. As they do not have lining or padding, they are also light, and because they are looser you can wear more than just a shirt underneath them.

Suit coats have a much tighter fit than blazers. They are specially designed to be worn with only a dress shirt underneath them, or perhaps a very thin sweater. They are further cut in such a way to give definition to the wearer regardless of body type.

Style and Formality While a blazer provides a certain level of formality, it is far less formal than a suit coat. It gives the wearer a more casual look, but not too casual. While it can be worn in certain business environments, it is more often associated with more leisurely activities, such as cocktail parties and family get-togethers.

Suit coats provide a much more formal and professional look than blazers. They are commonly worn when working in a corporate environment or when attending important religious and social functions. They are usually worn with matching pants, but that does not mean that they have to be worn this way. They can also be worn with ordinary trousers to provide a far less stuffy look.

In conclusion, while similar, blazers and suit coats offer many differences, in both style and function. They also provide those who wear them with varying degrees of comfort and fit.

Now you are ready to dress like a Combatant Gentlemen!