Dinner Jacket/Blazer For A Christmas Ball

[Mogli]

Need help with jacket/blazer for Christmas ball.
Budget is 200 pounds top,but would be most happy if i manage to spend 150 pounds for decent one.

[Jay]

As it happens, on the site today is a feature on velvet blazers which would perfect for a Christmas ball, soa great place to start picking up ideas.

[Mogli]

That topic came like ordered.

I found my these on sale that are cheap(120 and 135 pounds), what do you guys think?

[Sam]

Jay spoke my thoughts - that article on the velvet jacket cropped up just as I was considering getting one myself.
As to the ones you posted - I'm not a fan of the first one, which is quite boxy, but the second one looks alright to me - my only concern would be the sleeves, which look a little wide. In any case it's not a bad find. Who's it by?

I just had a quick look for a nice velvet jacket myself - there's a couple, from Reiss and Austin Reed, both hovering just out of your price range at around £230. On the other hand, there are some examples from Topman going fairly cheaply. This would be my choice: http://static.zara.net/photos//2011/I/0/2/p/1815/401/800/1815401800_1_1_3.jpg?timestamp=1322071127611[/IMG]]VELVET BLAZER - Blazers - Collection - Man - ZARA United Kingdom

Though perhaps not styled as in the picture - I'm not a fan of denim and velvet.

[Jay]

Likewise, Sam!

I've been feeling that the articles on the site have been more miss than hit lately (you can't please all of the people all of the time, I guess, and I have a fairly clear idea of what I like or not).

I really want a burgundy velvet jacket, but my search has not really turned up much. There's a lovely Paul Smith one, but I'm trying to spend less at the moment so £500 is stretching the December budget. Reiss has a lovely one too, but not in my size.

So, I'm thinking I might have to go the navy route.

This, at Ted Baker, is lovely (I'm a real fan of their blazers):



And the pattern on the jacket just adds a little style to the jacket:

[Sam]

I've been quite liking the latest several articles on the site. Of course, I've been aiming to join the team - you might have noticed an article or two credited to Sam Gilbert, which would be me. I noticed you weren't a fan of the piece on the rugby shirt when there's an article going out every weekday there's bound to be a couple that don't work for you.

That navy Ted Baker is certainly nice. Alas, things don't fit me. You do mention often that you're small and skinny; I must be a stick insect, because 36 has been known to hang off the shoulders at Ted Baker and Reiss. This is in part the root of my Topman habit; their 36 must come up small because it fits like a glove.
I would love the black Reiss one. I would wear it with black shoes, leather gloves, the Reiss navy turtleneck I already own and grey trousers, and make exactly like the guy in the Reiss lookbook. Sadly, I can even less justify spending £200 on a jacket than you can!

[Jay]

The Ted Baker blazers tend to come in sizes 2 to 7. I'm not sure what that equates to in inches, but I take a 2 (although how it will fit at the waist is so variable with Ted Baker blazers and I hate standard fit). I can fit a Reiss 36" at the shoulders but it needs tucking at the waist.

And I'm sorry about the rugby shirt, but it has no place on a fashion website. :P

[Sam]

Thanks for the sizing advice - I'll have to try a Reiss jacket on again and see about those shoulders.

As for the rugby shirt... well, I'm a fan I can easily understand the root of your dislike. Between the Jack Wills collegiate and the big colourful stripes there's a lot of careful treading to be done.

[Sam]

Jay... did you spot this? A nice red velvet Ted Baker blazer, for £275 in a size 2. Could be the solution?
Mens Coats | Designer Blazers & Leather Jackets For Men - Ted Baker

[Jay]

You know, I did spot it after I posted. (I was looking for a photo from the site for the 'look what I'm wearing today' thread and can't believe I missed it first time round.)

It's perfect. I didn't see it in my local Ted Baker, but I may simply have not been paying attention.

I'm going to wear it with with a black roll neck and slicked back quiff, and sit on my sofa at home drinking martinis and smoking gauloises which I will keep in a silver cigarette box in the top pocket of the blazer.*

*except the smoking bit 'cos smoking kills, kids (and makes you smell like my old geography teacher).