Shopping for a suit or blazer can be very overwhelming for many men. There are a myriad of types and styles in endless variations of colors, fabrics, and cuts. Blazers are versatile jackets that may be as formal as a suit or as casual as a light coat. The perfect blazer easily translates from the office to a night out, and at The House of Rose our master tailors and fashion consultants will be more than pleased to guide you towards the right direction.

Blazers come in two basic styles: single-breasted and double-breasted. There are further variations within these basic cuts, but a man should first know which of these types of blazer looks best on him. This would be determined in the first consultation with your tailor.

Single-Breasted

Single-breasted blazers are among the more common type of blazer. Depending on the number of buttons it has, it may be suitable for either business or social settings. It may refer to a coat, jacket or similar garment with only one column of buttons and narrow overlapping flaps.

• One-Button

Blazers with only one button are considered to be very stylish. Though they may not be appropriate for most work environments, they may be acceptable for men who work in a business where suits are not required. Thin men look BEST in this style, but stockier or taller men may find that the way the blazer hangs is not very flattering.

• Two-Button

Blazers with two buttons are classics and are universally appropriate for nearly any work environment. The simple cut of a two-button blazer looks good on almost all men. These blazers may not be daring or uncommon, but they’re the BEST basic type of blazer for a man to buy.

Double-Breasted

This style is most recognizable from pea coats. These blazers have two rows of buttons up the torso, the fronts of the blazer overlapping each other. This overlap adds bulk to the double-breasted style, so some men may find these blazers to be too warm. Double-breasted blazers are generally very conservative and formal. They are a safe bet for business meetings and an office environment.

Tuxedos/Dinner Jackets

Dinner jackets are by far the most formal style of blazer. They are great for evening events and dates. Many of them have shiny or contrasting lapels, which give the blazer a formal yet flashy look. Another lapel variation one will see is a shawl lapel. These, unlike other lapel styles, are made from a single piece of fabric and curve down over a man’s chest. This look is very distinctive and is best for evening events.

Colored and Patterned Suits and Jackets

The pattern and color of a blazer make just as much of an impact as the cut and style, if not more. The most conservative color choices for a man’s blazer are black, charcoal, gray, and navy blue, while brown is not as conservative. Light beige or off-white blazers are not very common, and most men will see these in linen fabrics. These are good for daytime social events, but linen fabric may be harder to care for. A man who likes to stand out in a crowd will love brighter options, though they are not a good choice for a conservative work environment. Many prefer the middle ground that plaids and stripes provide. These patterns, when done in muted or neutral colors, are conservative enough for casual business settings but interesting enough for a man to feel that he is expressing his own style without being boring.