Ask UM: Suit Coats and Blazers

Suit Jacket = Blazer? Yes or no

Peace,
Alejandro E. Ciniglio

No.

-Greg

P.S.

I had to go straight the web to find the answer to this. Suit coats and blazers are both under the category of jackets. Suit coats are a broader term encompassing more formal and tailored jackets. Blazers are more of those thick navy coats they make prep school brats wear.

Apparel Search, a good source for all things clothing related, gives definition to the term blazer.

A blazer is a type of single breasted coat, closely related to a suit jacket. Generally, it differs from a suit jacket in that the buttons are usually metallic, and the outer material generally more durable. They occur most often in blue colors, but blazers of other colors are not unheard of. They are included often in uniforms of civilian bodies, such as airlines, boys schools, yacht clubs, and private security organizations.

Wikipedia also has an informative entry on blazers.

A blazer or boating jacket is a type of jacket, usually double breasted although single breasted blazers have become more common recently. A blazer resembles a suit jacket except that it usually has patch pockets with no flaps, and metal shank buttons. A blazer’s cloth is usually of a durable nature as it is used in schools and was used for sport.

They often form part of the uniform dress of bodies, such as airlines, schools, yacht or rowing clubs, and private security organizations. As sporting dress has become more adapted to the activity, the blazer has become more restricted to clubs’ social meetings.

Commonly, blazers are navy blue, but almost every colour and combination of colours has been used, particularly by sporting organizations.

Hope this helps.