Where to find a good semi-formal jacket?
June 1, 2016 11:27 PM Subscribe
I need a jacket that I can match with other semi-formal clothing that I own. I wear dress slacks with shirt and tie most of my work time, and I'd like a jacket that I can match with some variety of these things (different colors), but also use for events, such as a work function or wedding. Is there something that exists along this axis of interests, and what might be the best color with the most flexibility? I have black, grey, blue, and khaki colored slacks, and pretty generic shirts and ties.
Best answer: Are you looking for a specific brand/make of jacket, or are you just looking for search terms to help you find something that meets your requirements? Assuming the latter, it sounds like you are asking for either a sports jacket or a blazer. Both would be fine for a work function; for weddings, if you don't want to invest in a suit, a blazer is more formal, however a well-fitted sports jacket can be fine as well (depends on the circles you move in).
With regard to colours, as a general rule, for sports jackets and blazers you want to have some contrast between the jacket and the trousers. Avoid closely matching colours/patterns for top and bottom halves, as it can give the impression you are pretending to wear a suit. Generally, dark colours are more formal (and "safer") than lighter colours (although, in the summer, a light coloured jacket can go a long way).
In any event, as erst mentions above, tailoring is the most important aspect, since a well-fitted jacket can distract from areas that might lacking elsewhere in your outfit.
The following page has some further details about different types of jackets: http://www.realmenrealstyle.com/sports-jacket-blazer-suit/
posted by oclipa at 3:18 AM on June 2, 2016
With regard to colours, as a general rule, for sports jackets and blazers you want to have some contrast between the jacket and the trousers. Avoid closely matching colours/patterns for top and bottom halves, as it can give the impression you are pretending to wear a suit. Generally, dark colours are more formal (and "safer") than lighter colours (although, in the summer, a light coloured jacket can go a long way).
In any event, as erst mentions above, tailoring is the most important aspect, since a well-fitted jacket can distract from areas that might lacking elsewhere in your outfit.
The following page has some further details about different types of jackets: http://www.realmenrealstyle.com/sports-jacket-blazer-suit/
posted by oclipa at 3:18 AM on June 2, 2016
Best answer: For black tie weddings and events you can get away with a dark grey suit in a four-season fabric like tropical wool.
A non-matching jacket would be too casual for that kind of event, but fine for everyday. Nthing the contrast between that jacket and your pants; again, I'd recommend tropical wool with some natural fibre blended into the lining.
posted by tel3path at 3:53 AM on June 2, 2016
A non-matching jacket would be too casual for that kind of event, but fine for everyday. Nthing the contrast between that jacket and your pants; again, I'd recommend tropical wool with some natural fibre blended into the lining.
posted by tel3path at 3:53 AM on June 2, 2016
Best answer: I'd like a jacket that I can match with some variety of [black, grey, blue, khaki colored slacks], but also use for events, such as a work function or wedding.
Do you own a blue blazer? Blazer + khakis would be good for less formal affairs, blazer + grey slacks could sqeak by in a roomfull of suits, as in many weddings & business functions (at least in the US). But not, as has been said, a more formal affair, where you might have to pony up for a rental tux.
posted by mr vino at 4:34 AM on June 2, 2016
Do you own a blue blazer? Blazer + khakis would be good for less formal affairs, blazer + grey slacks could sqeak by in a roomfull of suits, as in many weddings & business functions (at least in the US). But not, as has been said, a more formal affair, where you might have to pony up for a rental tux.
posted by mr vino at 4:34 AM on June 2, 2016
Best answer: I have a nice black camelhair jacket that I use for exactly the purposes you describe. It's like the men's version of the little black dress. Infinitely adaptable. I got mine at a Jos. Bank years ago, and it still looks great.
posted by Thorzdad at 6:09 AM on June 2, 2016
posted by Thorzdad at 6:09 AM on June 2, 2016
Response by poster: Thanks, super helpful. Yes, I'm not adept at the lines between levels of attire, but it sounds like what I'm looking for is not as much semi-formal, but more along the lines of a blazer that can be used for work functions (I definitely am not semi-formal at work, more business attire), and since I'm not overly concerned about dressing to the nines for an upcoming wedding, it would work for that, also. Okay, off to do some shopping!
posted by SpacemanStix at 9:07 AM on June 2, 2016
posted by SpacemanStix at 9:07 AM on June 2, 2016
This thread is closed to new comments.
If you want something semi-formal, you want a modern cut mid-to-dark-grey (NOT "light grey") jacket. Houndstooth or pinstripe may be acceptable. It will rarely go with khaki. Khaki is very hard to pull off as semi-formal unless you're very into fashion. Khaki is for offices and cargo shorts. Hopefully all your semi-formal pants are at least flat-front.
If you're near a Nordstroms or Bloomingdales, go there and tell them what exactly you're looking for. They'll give you recommendations and tailoring is free. Tailoring is really the key here -- it makes you look like you were born to wear that particular jacket, which lets you be more free with the rest of your outfit. My husband has a really nice charcoal grey suit jacket that looks amazing as part of his tailored suit, but looks equally amazing with a band t-shirt and black-wash jeans and nice shoes.
Invest in a few shirts and ties that can reflect your different moods and occasions. Dark jacket, dark pants, dark tie, white shirt? Funeral. High-end waiter. Somber. Dark jacket, dark pants, dark tie, grey shirt? Fashionable and cool. Dark jacket, dark pants, coordinated color shirt, print tie? Fashionable and cool. Dark jacket, khakis, white shirt, no tie or boring tie? Unless you're going for a fashionable look, depending on the cut of the pants and jacket, it'll read "job interview" or "raided dad's closet."
posted by erst at 1:01 AM on June 2, 2016 [1 favorite]