Personally, I think a single breasted blazer is a better style for the heat but men who prioritize stylishness over comfort should consider the 4x1 double breasted blazer for summer.
A 4x1, or 4 by 1 if you will, is a double breasted jacket with four buttons on the front that are cut so that the coat buttons on the lower rank below the waist. This gives it a longer line and exposes a little more shirt front so it will wear a bit cooler, which our man on the rail in the illustration must find a blessing as it's apparently so hot that he's had to shed his neck cloth.
Now blazer-appropriate occasions in the dog days of August are blessedly few except by the sea, which is perfect as this style is both nautical and just enough of a dandy's choice to be out of place in church. I doubt if it can be found off the rack and a man who had it made would probably agree that an open weave cloth in marine blue would be best. It should have patch pockets of course, and as little lining as the tailor responsible for it will tolerate.
Wear it with an open collared shirt if there's no other choice but it will look better with a tee shirt in either white cotton or silver silk. A neck cloth is optional.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
A Jacket for the Heat
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9 comments:
I know they do it in Bermuda, and I see it occasionally in fashionable catalogs, but I can't imagine wearing a blazer with shorts. Nor have I ever seen that in real life.
It looks very nice. A few questions:
Is this what used to be called a "Kent?"
I do not suppose we know the pantone number for marine blue…?
It looks very nice. A few questions:
Is this what used to be called a "Kent?"
I do not suppose we know the pantone number for marine blue…?
I recently purchased a navy 2 button SB very light weight wool blazer in a wool, silk and linen blend with MOP buttons in a whitish blue tinge. side vents. half lined. I love this jacket and wear it with lightweight wool,linen and cotton trousers. I don't think I would ever wear shorts with a blazer but you never know.
Pantone colors are for printing and no, I don't know what number marine blue would be.
I too agree with marmer01. Don't think a blazer with shorts is practical at all. If the weather is hot and humid to warrant a gentleman to wear shorts (like it is in Singapore all year long), being able to wear a blazer outdoors requires a sartorial commitment not many are able to make.
standfast: a Kent is a style of buttoning a 6X4 DB, where the middle button, which traditionally closes the coat is left undone. Instead the lowest button is closed. This gives a more elongated look to to the wearer as the lapel sweeps lower. Attributed to the Duke of Kent, though some say his brother the Duke of Windsor was more frequently seen to utilize this trick to give the illusion that he is rather taller.
Shorts with a blazer can look great in the summer - see the example here, the middle photo of the man with the blazer and nicely cut beige shorts. It all depends on how one chooses to wear such an outfit. Slimmer fitting blazers are the key to this, I beleive.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/31/fashion/31shorts.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
I just recently got my first navy blazer and I absolutely love it. I chose a single breast, 2 button in 'tropical wool' as Polo put it. I wore it over an oxford in the heat last week and it was very comfortable.
Will; I love the hat the gentleman is wearing. What style is this and wear can you find a hat like that?
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