The navy blazer is the centrepiece of smart casual and business casual style. It is a sport jacket with metal buttons, British naval origins and exceptional chromatic versatility, compatible with white trousers, jeans, chinos and any combination of them. Unlike a suit jacket, the blazer can be worn on its own and works equally well with or without a tie. That makes it indispensable in the wardrobe of any man who wants elegance without the stiffness of a suit.

1. What is a blazer, and how can it be recognised at a glance?

The blazer is a jacket with the look of a tailored sport jacket: it has lapels and pockets, covers the seat and is highly practical. It is usually cut from wool, and in summer from linen or cotton. What sets it apart are the metal buttons. Originally, the blazer was a club jacket. In the past, on university campuses and in gentlemen’s clubs, a jacket with metal buttons bearing the club’s emblem was compulsory. The blazer is also a military legacy. It is no accident that it so often comes in navy blue. The historical reason? The colour takes its name from the uniforms of the British Royal Navy.

2. What is the great strength of this jacket?

No prizes for guessing: versatility. A navy blazer with gold or silver buttons fits into any combination. It pairs with white or beige trousers and a shirt with vertical stripes, in pale pink or pale blue. Or with a pair of jeans and brown loafers. Anything goes. In the breast pocket, a pocket square in bright or neutral colours, or with red, navy or white polka dots. The effect, we guarantee, is immediate.

3. Which styles does it belong to?

The blazer remains the centrepiece of smart casual and business casual. Businessman, corporate employee or even student, a blazer will always get its wearer out of a sartorial tight spot. It is ideal for men who want to look elegant but would rather not wear a suit. The blazer works with or without a tie. It suits a business meeting, a dinner with friends or an evening party. So practical a piece is a necessary upgrade to any wardrobe.

4. Which other shades exist besides navy?

Besides navy, the blazer also comes in beige or in more playful colours, especially for men who like to make an impression wherever they go.

In closing, the navy blazer is the centre of gravity of a stylish gentleman’s wardrobe. In practice, a man is his style. Onlookers draw conclusions about his mood and his personality. For while clothes may not make the man, they tell a story about the one who wears them. Which leaves one question: what story does his blazer tell?