Sports coats and blazers are a bit like tea and coffee – somewhat similar and yet completely different at the same time. A lot of men often fail to even notice a difference between them at all, using them interchangeably, so part of what this article will address is how exactly to differentiate a sports coat from a blazer. In addition, we will also cover what they are intended for and how they may be acceptably substituted for each other without committing an unwitting crime against fashion.
How to Tell Them Apart
The easiest way to delineate the difference between both jackets is to look at their lapel and their fit. Blazers have a noticeably looser fit than suit jackets, but sports coats have an even more pronounced loose fit because of their function, which is to serve as sporting apparel for men engaged in sporting activities like golf. That’s the origins of sports coats and they have largely remained true to these origins.
The shoulder area of blazers also lacks the visible structure of suit jackets, which is what makes them suitable for leisure activities. They also tend to have large pearl, silver or gold buttons compared to suit jackets which generally have smaller black buttons. Sports jackets on the other hand are designed with a very loose fit to enable the wearer put on layers of clothing such as a sweater underneath, and the fabrics used to make sports jackets are generally much tougher than that used in their suit and blazer cousins.
Where suit jackets and blazers are generally made with basic cotton or polyester, sports jackets may be made with tweed or any other material with tough properties. Unlike blazers, sport jackets have less noticeable buttons, and they generally tend to come in shades of blue, green, grey and brown – in keeping with their outdoors-y origins. They also commonly appear with check patterns, unlike typically plain blazers and suit jackets.
Perhaps the most visible difference between a sports jacket and its cousins is the presence of ticket pockets, arm patches and pleats, which are deliberately included to aid several sporting purposes. In addition a sports jacket will typically have a very large lapel that can be unfolded and closed to provide extra temperature protection for the wearer, which is yet another nod to the outdoors-centric nature of these coats.
How to Use Both Interchangeably
A sports jacket can be used under certain circumstances to substitute for a blazer, much like a blazer may sometimes stand in for a suit jacket, but under no circumstances can a suit jacket and a sports jacket be used in each other’s stead. For example, a blazer may under certain circumstances substitute for a suit jacket for the purpose of a formal work meeting (depending on the position of the organisation on ‘smart causal’ dressing, but a sports jacket can never fill this role).
For less formal events like dinners, cocktail receptions and outdoor meetings, a sports coat may work in lieu of a blazer provided the wearer uses suitably sporty footwear like golf shoes (of course, spikeless ones), moccasins or sneakers. Lace-ups and other overtly formal shoes are a no-no with sports jackets. Slacks, chinos and denim trousers may be worn with sport shoes, but care should be exercised not to commit fashion suicide with ripped or skinny jeans.
Once in a while, we are all tempted to buy “jackets” because we like the fabric or some detail on it without pausing to think how and when is this jacket meant to be worn. Always stop to think how often would you find appropriate occasions to wear that attractive jacket and to what extent does it complement your existing wardrobe i.e. do you have the kinds of shoes, trousers etc. that go with it.
