This Perfect Summer Blazer Is Too Affordable to Pass Up

It turns out that some suit jackets work as blazers, after all.

Published 5 hours ago

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One of the cardinal sins of men’s style is wearing a suit jacket as a blazer. But much like every other style “rule,” it is subject to exceptions.

Case in point: J.Crew’s Big-Fit Suit Jacket in Italian Linen, much like George Harrison, does its best work solo.

a man wearing a J.Crew linen suit — The Big-Fit Suit Jacket is structured more like a blazer.

J.Crew’s menswear team designed the Big-Fit Suit Jacket to be a little slouchy in the shoulders and roomy in the torso. The name is a double entendre referencing the colloquial term for a stylish outfit and the jacket’s baggy cut.

Since the jacket has no canvas structuring, no shoulder padding and only a quarter lining on the upper back panel, it really has more in common with a blazer than a proper suit jacket.

the back of a J.Crew linen blazer — The jacket is double-vented with a center back seam.

Two patch pockets on the front and a three-roll-two opening are both more commonly found on blazers and create a casual vibe.

The only thing that makes it a suit jacket is the fact that J.Crew sells a matching pair of pants.

A blazer by any other name

Functionally, the Big-Fit Suit Jacket is an excellent all-purpose warm-weather blazer. The casual cut, unrestrictive construction and ultra-versatile color make it complementary to just about anything.

a J.Crew linen blazer — Patch pockets add to the jacket’s casual vibe.

It works with chino shorts or jeans, a dress shirt or a t-shirt, at the office or the bar, anywhere and anytime.

The jacket’s casual nature means that its strongest use is elevating casual outfits. When styling the Big-Fit Suit Jacket, think of it more like a lightweight shirt-jacket or a chore coat, offering plenty of cargo space with an elevated look.

A hopsack and a jump away

The best thing about the Big-Fit Suit Jacket in Italian Linen is the fabric. J.Crew simply calls it Italian linen, sourced from the respectable Tessuti di Sondrio mill, but it is technically a hopsack fabric.

hopsack linen suit fabric — Hopsack has a simple basket weave, which makes it flexible and breathable.

Hopsack was the go-to fabric for men long before everything was “stretch” and contaminated with plastic (read: nylon and polyester). It is a simple, loose basket weave that provides all the flexibility and ventilation you’ll ever need.

a man wearing a J.Crew linen blazer — The loose-knit hopsack fabric helps minimize the characteristic rumpled look of linen.

With a high-quality flax linen like the one provided by Tessuti di Sondrio, a hopsack weave alleviates linen’s characteristic rumpling and wrinkling because the loose weave allows the fabric to settle.

When combined with the roomy cut of the Big-Fit jacket, hopsack linen is as comfortable as a suit jacket or blazer can get.

Availability and pricing

Saving the best part for last, the J.Crew Big-Fit Suit Jacket in Italian Linen is available for $240 during J.Crew’s End of Season Sale.

The only issue is that the New York retailer is waiting on a restock, so orders placed now won’t ship out until August 12. However, this means that every size is available.

A white version is also available, but with limited sizes left.

J.Crew Big-Fit Suit Jacket in Italian Line

$240 at J.Crew

$398 (40% off)

About the Author: Brad Lanphear is an associate editor at Gear Patrol covering watches and style. Before joining the publication, he previously wrote for Heddels and Men’s Health. Now, he’s on a never-ending quest to find the perfect pair of Japanese denim.