What's The Difference Between a Suit Jacket and Blazer?

It's a common assumption that suit jackets and blazers refer to the same garment. While this isn't necessarily wrong, it's not entirely correct either. So if you're still trying to wrap your head around the concept of suit jackets versus blazers, keep reading for an explanation of their characteristics. We're going to break down both of these garments in today's blog post, revealing which one comes out as the winner. The truth is that both suit jackets and blazers are very similar in terms of design and construction. They are both forms of outwear that are intended to be worn for formal occasions. According to GQ, however, the main difference between these two garments lies in their use. Suit jackets are typically sold as part of an outfit (hence the name suit), consisting of matching trousers at minimum and sometimes even a button-up shirt. This is in stark contrast to a blazer, which is generally sold as a standalone garment without any additional pieces. You can wear either a suit jacket or blazer for the same purpose. If you have a formal event planned in the near future and are struggling to find the right outfit, you can't go wrong with either of these garments. However, there are a few reasons to choose a suit jacket over a blazer, one of which is the simple fact that it eliminates the need to search for a matching pair of pants. If you choose to purchase and wear a blazer, you'll have to find a matching pair of pants. This may or may not be an easy task depending on the style of blazer and your shopping options. Of course, most men prefer the hands-on approach offered with a suit jacket, as it ensures their look is complete and cohesive without leaving room for error. There are times, however, when a blazer is preferred over a suit jacket. Planning to wear a pair of semi-formal "dress-up" jeans? If so, then there's really no reason to buy an entire suit. Assuming you already have the pants, a blazer should suffice just fine. Don't worry too much about whether a suit jacket or blazer will look best, because in all actuality they are roughly the same. Suit jackets are sold with matching pants, whereas blazers are not. You may find other subtle differences between them, but that's the main distinguishing factor.