Favorite Blue Blazer Sack
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O'Connell's sack blazer. It withstands the rigors of everyday use. And it generates more compliments than any other item I wear, ecxcept for my LHSs and AA406s.
But as I've hinted in previous posts, the O'Connell's blazer more of a warm-weather jacket. It works well all year long here in South Texas, which means it may be a bit light for winter use north of Waco. If you ever owned one of the old Corbin Corinthian sack blazers, then you know something about the O'Connell's blazer.
The Press doeskin would be really nice for fall/winter use in a cooler climate. You might also ask Ethan (at O'Connell's) if he has something like this.
But as I've hinted in previous posts, the O'Connell's blazer more of a warm-weather jacket. It works well all year long here in South Texas, which means it may be a bit light for winter use north of Waco. If you ever owned one of the old Corbin Corinthian sack blazers, then you know something about the O'Connell's blazer.
The Press doeskin would be really nice for fall/winter use in a cooler climate. You might also ask Ethan (at O'Connell's) if he has something like this.
I have a year round navy blazer from J.Press. While the fit and aesthetic of the blazer is quite nice, the construction could be a lot better.
If you can afford it, I would look into having a special order / MTM blazer done by Samuelsohn. I bought a fully canvassed Sammy "Greenwich" model sportcoat recently that blows away any jacket Brooks or Press could offer with the possible exception of an MTM jacket done by Martin Greenfield. The Greenwich is a darted 2 button model with very soft shoulders and light shoulder padding.
Apparently Samuelsohn is flexible enough that they can make an undarted 3/2 roll "sack" style jacket as a variation on this model. Other than having a bespoke blazer done by Field's, that would be my ideal blazer at the moment.
As far as the basic OLC $350 blazer goes, I think at would be hard to assess whether or not it is a "beater" unless you had it in hand. In any case, like I said before, OLC has tons of stuff not offerred on their website.
Call and ask for Ethan and tell him what you want and your price range. I know they carry Samuelsohn suits and jackets and would assume they can do special orders as well. If a Sammy is outside your budget range, I would ask if they have any old stock fully canvassed, 3/8 lined blazers made by Oritsky in your size (hint: Oritsky jackets run small, confirm measurements against a well fitting jacket and size up if need be). I was very impressed with an Oritsky made suit that I received from them recently.
If you can afford it, I would look into having a special order / MTM blazer done by Samuelsohn. I bought a fully canvassed Sammy "Greenwich" model sportcoat recently that blows away any jacket Brooks or Press could offer with the possible exception of an MTM jacket done by Martin Greenfield. The Greenwich is a darted 2 button model with very soft shoulders and light shoulder padding.
Apparently Samuelsohn is flexible enough that they can make an undarted 3/2 roll "sack" style jacket as a variation on this model. Other than having a bespoke blazer done by Field's, that would be my ideal blazer at the moment.
As far as the basic OLC $350 blazer goes, I think at would be hard to assess whether or not it is a "beater" unless you had it in hand. In any case, like I said before, OLC has tons of stuff not offerred on their website.
Call and ask for Ethan and tell him what you want and your price range. I know they carry Samuelsohn suits and jackets and would assume they can do special orders as well. If a Sammy is outside your budget range, I would ask if they have any old stock fully canvassed, 3/8 lined blazers made by Oritsky in your size (hint: Oritsky jackets run small, confirm measurements against a well fitting jacket and size up if need be). I was very impressed with an Oritsky made suit that I received from them recently.
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I know I'm biased, but you should look into an H. Freeman MTM. That shouldn't be much more thatn $600 or so.
Best idea on this thread, so far.
If the price really is in the $600 range, then an H. Freeman MTM blazer would be competitive in price with a Brooks blazer - for a little more you would get a lot more.
Not to start a debate but that jacket is the antithesis of simplicity that I seek when I reach for my navy blazer. What's next, stringing blinking lights along the trim during the holidays?I picked up a dark navy BB sack with white grosgrain trim
A bit mod, but still trad I think
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looks like you picked up a black fleece coat.I picked up a dark navy BB sack with white grosgrain trim that I rather like. It was on super-deep discount, I think people were freaked out over the trim, but I like it. It looks almost exactly like this:
A bit mod, but still trad I think
nice one!
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I heard good things about the sack blazer from Southwick, Douglas model.
But personally and unfortunately. I don't think I have a decent quality sack blazer I can depend on. :icon_pale:
My most reliable navy blazer is a vintage sack from brooks 346 shop. I would say its alright, but I can use a better one.
But personally and unfortunately. I don't think I have a decent quality sack blazer I can depend on. :icon_pale:
My most reliable navy blazer is a vintage sack from brooks 346 shop. I would say its alright, but I can use a better one.
It's a navy blue sack blazer with white grosgrain trim. That's it. It's slightly less simple than a navy blue sack blazer without grosgrain trim. I think the trim is a simple, rather elegant embellishment.
That's what I thought when I saw it, but it has a regular "Brooks Brothers Established 1818" label.closerlook said:
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I too am curious about the Southwick Douglas model. And I too wear a vintage 346 navy sack blazer, about which we seem to differ: I love it.
For me the problem with the Southwick Douglas, at least off the rack, is that the shoulders are too wide. I suppose MTM could solve that problem but that doesn't really make sense given the high cost unless they can do full canvas.
Current Brooks blazers have the same problem with the wide shoulders, and coincidentally they are made by Southwick too. This may not be a problem for you depending on how you are built.
Compare any recent non-MTM blazer from to an old stock or vintage jacket and you'll see how much better shoulders in these sack jackets used to be. The padding in the old jackets was very, very light and the shoulders were cut an inch or more narrower.
I'd definitely be curious about MTM H.Freeman.
Current Brooks blazers have the same problem with the wide shoulders, and coincidentally they are made by Southwick too. This may not be a problem for you depending on how you are built.
Compare any recent non-MTM blazer from to an old stock or vintage jacket and you'll see how much better shoulders in these sack jackets used to be. The padding in the old jackets was very, very light and the shoulders were cut an inch or more narrower.
I'd definitely be curious about MTM H.Freeman.
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As I've said before, I'm not a trad. But I recently added a blazer to my string of aquisitions from English American (the manufactuer of H. Freeman, Tom James, and many others). I'll be posting pictures of the blazer here when it comes in for you guys. Mine is fully canvassed, has pick stitch, working cuff, and is made of Holland and Sherry fabric; I paid less than $600 for it during a recent sale. Not a sack, but hopefully it will give some idea as to the English American products that I crow about here all the time. ETA for these pics is 10 days.
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Just so. All the currently displayed (in the store) Press and BB sack blazers are way too shouldery for my taste. Whereas my old 346 is perfectly cut, even if the weave is less fine and luxurious.
I've kind of given up on current OTR blazers because of the fully loaded big shoulders which completely spoil the look.
I've kind of given up on current OTR blazers because of the fully loaded big shoulders which completely spoil the look.
I have an absolutely perfect blzer from brooks that I bough when I started college (2001), still fits perfectly: pretty soft shoulders, 3/2 roll, sack, nice fit all around, and well made - it as held up quite well to a lot of wear. When I bought it my dad picked it out for me, I had no idea what I was buying, but as the years have passed I have realized how invaluable it is. no need for a $600 regular navy gold button blazer for me! (though of course those are beautiful in their own right)
Shoulder problem. I like the natural shoulder, but my shoulders are wide, and so I've tried sacks that are so tight I can't wear them. I've had that problem at Brooks, and I'm wondering how I'll do with OC. Or maybe Press. I'm leaning toward the Brooks, but as I've said I often have trouble and have to look at jackets that are far too big.
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