Five Plus One is our weekly series of buyer’s guides. We pick a specific category and dig up five great options along with one that’s a little outside the norm.
The weather is heating up, and that means outdoor weddings, park days, and and garden parties galore. If you want to dress semi-formally without dying of heat exhaustion a linen blazer is a great choice. If you’re not familiar with linen, get caught up with our background article and washing guide.
Sure, they’re not the dressiest type of formal wear out there, but the material is both hardwearing and breathable, they come in a wide range of styles, and they can be easily dressed down if you want to get a bit more wear out of them.
1) Corridor NYC: Ticking Stripe Linen Blazer
Corridor NYC has produced many great pieces in the past, but their Ticking Stripe Linen Blazer is something special. It’s constructed from a light indigo dyed Italian linen with an understated, vertical white stripe. On top of that it features cream colored acetate buttons, patch pockets, and half-lining at the shoulders. The unstructured body keeps this piece extra lightweight and breathable, which makes it a pleasure to wear year round.
Available for $350 from Division Road.
2) Uniqlo: Slim-Fit Linen Jacket
2) Uniqlo: Slim-Fit Linen Jacket
If you don’t have too many occasions for a lightweight blazer (or simply don’t want to spend too much money) then Uniqlo’s Slim-Fit Linen Jacket might be an excellent choice for you. It’s constructed from a 55%/45% linen/cotton blend with a single vent in the back, patch hand pockets, and a welted chest pocket. Like many of the other jackets on this list this one is unstructured, which makes it great for the heat but a bit less ideal once the weather cools down again.
Available for $60 from Uniqlo.
3) Universal Works: Two Button Jacket in Indigo Linen Slub
Universal Works’ Two Button Jacket in Indigo Slub Linen has similar design features to many of the other blazers on this list, such as the single vented back, quarter/half lined interior, linen blend fabric, and slightly slim fit, but the indigo chambray fabric it’s made from really set it apart from the competition. Sure, we’re all about denim around these parts, but chambray is a close cousin and the beautiful hue of the indigo dye make this piece a welcome addition to any denimheads closet.
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Available for $325 from BlackBlue.
4) Sartoria Formosa: Light Brown “Summer Tweed” Sport Coat
Sartoria Formosa’s Light Brown Summer Tweed Sport Coat is certainly the highest quality coat on this list, and it has a price to match; that said, if you’re in a position to drop some serious coin on a new sport coat this one won’t disappoint. It’s constructed from 60%/40% linen/silk blend fabric with full canvas construction, mother of pearl buttons, and all the great details you’d expect from a hand-tailored piece.
Available for $1196 from No Man Walks Alone.
5) Beams Plus: Linen Shirt Jacket in Natural
Beams Plus has been a well respected brand for years now, but they seem to have gained even more popularity over the past few seasons (at least in the states). They’re Linen Shirt Jacket is designed to be incredibly lightweight, with its linen fabric, unlined interior, and classic three button style. While it is lightweight like a shirt, the style is irrefutably that of a blazer, so I’m not sure how it could be worn any other way
Available for $285 from Unionmade Goods.
Plus One – Kapital: Indigo Unstructured Linen-Blend Blazer
Kapital’s Indigo Unstructured Linen-Blend Blazer is a bit out there in style, and while that does make it harder to dress up that doesn’t mean it doesn’t make a great casual blazer. It’s constructed from a 55%/45% linen/rayon blend with a heavily curved hem, three button closure, and split cuffs to facilitate thicker layered sleeve material. While this jacket certainly isn’t for everyone, I’m sure there are many in the Heddels family that want to add it to their collection.
Available for $400 from Mr. Porter.
