Blazers and sportcoats are two types of jackets that resemble suit jackets, but they are more informal and can be worn on their own without matching trousers. However, it’s important to know the difference between blazer and sportcoat if you want to dress appropriately and smartly for an event. The key difference between blazer and sportcoat is their formality level; blazers are considered to be more formal than sportcoats and are worn for formal and smart casual wear whereas sportcoats are considered to be informal than both blazers and suit jackets.
CONTENT
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is a Blazer
3. What is a Sportcoat
4. Side by Side Comparison – Blazer vs Sportcoat
5. Summary
What is a Blazer?
A blazer is a type of jacket that resembles a suit jacket but designed more casually. Blazers can be worn as a part of formal wear, but they do not come as a part of a suit. They are generally made from fabrics with solid colors and are tailored well. Blazers are supposed to be derived from a particular type of jacket worn by boating club members; some blazers still have naval metal buttons which reflect this origin. They also have patch pockets, unlike other types of jackets.
Blazers can be worn with a wide variety of clothes. They can be worn with dress shirts and necktie to plain tee shirts. Women also wear blazers above dresses or blouses. They can be worn with different types of trousers; from classic cotton or linen pants to chinos or jeans. Blazers are also worn for smart casual wear.
Blazers are also sometimes worn as a part of uniforms in schools, clubs, or colleges. In such instances, blazers usually have badges sewn into their breast pockets. Blazers can be both single breasted and double breasted, but blazers which are used as uniforms are usually single-breasted ones.
Figure_1: Blazer
What is a Sportcoat?
Sportcoat, also written as sports coat or sport coat, is a jacket worn by men. Although this somewhat resembles a suit jacket, this is meant to be worn on its own without the matching trousers and is supposed to be more informal. This is sometimes also known as sports jacket in British English. Sportscoats are usually made from thick and sturdy materials such as tweed, denim, corduroy, suede, and leather. Most sportcoats are single breasted and may feature eye-catching patterns.
Sportcoats originally came into being as casual wear worn for watching outdoor sports, but today they are also used as formal wear on some occasions. There are also different types of Sportscoats such as shooting jacket, and hacking jacket.
Figure_2: Sportcoat
What is the difference between Blazer and Sportcoat?
Blazer vs Sportcoat |
|
| Blazer is a jacket that resembles a suit jacket although it is not as formal. | Sportcoat is a jacket worn by men that resembles a suit jacket. |
| Gender | |
| Blazers are worn by both men and women. | Sportcoats are worn by men. |
| Occasions | |
| Blazers are worn for formal and smart casual events. | Sportcoats are worn for casual events. |
| Design | |
| Blazers may be double breasted or single breasted. | Sportcoats are typically single breasted. |
| Formality | |
| Blazers are less formal than suit jackets, but not as informal as sportscoats. | Sportcoats are more informal than suit jackets and blazers. |
Summary – Blazer vs Sportcoat
Now that you have read about the different features of these two types of coats, you will have a good understanding of the difference between blazer and sportcoat in terms of formality level, design, and occasions they are worn for. This knowledge will help you to select the most appropriate outerwear for any occasion.
The key difference between blazer and sportcoat is that blazers are more formal than sportcoat. In addition, blazers are worn by both men and women whereas sportcoats are worn by men.
Image Courtesy:
“Jacket2-1” By Dudesleeper at English Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
“1160216” (Public Domain) via Pixabay