My default dressy-casual outfit—navy blazer + jeans that are usually white, with either a navy polo or pale blue button-up shirt of some kind—sometimes still feels a little too dressed up.
A friend of mine recently invited us for an informal gathering to celebrate his birthday at the local Mad Tree brewery in Cincinnati. Who’s wearing a navy blazer to a brewery for a b-day celebration? A tailored blazer, no matter how soft the shoulder, no matter the sprezzy open patch pocket configuration, feels wrong for something like that.
So what’s a (rakish) man to do?
One great alternative: a navy chore coat.
I’d long wanted one, but had never put the energy into finding the right one. Certain classic French makers use a shade of navy that feels a bit too purple to my eyes. Le Laboureur, Vetra, Le Mont Saint Michel—all have the authentic French bona fides, yet they all feel a bit too boxy to me as an alternative to a blazer.
For the Atelier Munro marketing campaign I was recently part of, I had them make me one of their utility jackets in a stretch navy twill cotton. A few things appealed to me about their utility jacket. First, the pockets have angled cut-outs at the corners, rather than being perfectly square (or rounded). Secondly, being an MTM company, I could customize the fit to ensure it wouldn’t be just a total box. Thirdly, I could customize it with a front lining of the outer material, allowing it to have internal chest pockets. I cannot understate how useful this is (though it adds to the bulk and weight, making it less wearable when it’s hot out). Lastly, one of their customization options is to add a waist cinch in the back panel, so you can slightly cinch it down to add more shape.
Munro’s business model is to have you go into a store that carries them to get a fit profile created by an in-store tailor, then you are able to log into their website to design custom clothes. So unfortunately I can’t link a product for you directly.
So I can’t link to the thing pictured, but here are a few off the rack links to chore jackets from various makers that I’d say would probably be good options:
Proper Cloth’s shirt jacket model, (use this link for 10% off your first order) in navy cotton-linen
Drake’s heavy twill chore coat
Spier & Mackay navy linen chore coat
Todd Snyder chore coat in navy corduroy
So there are a few ideas for this great casual alternative to the navy blazer. If you have a chore coat from a different brand than is linked here, please let me know!
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Did you consider a teba jacket? If so do you consider it a step closer to a blazer or on level terms of formality to a chore coat?
I’ve never liked the Teba jacket. I’ve tried them on (not the original but copies from other makers) and it just hasn’t connected with me. I would agree that it’s a bridge between a blazer and a chore coat, however, in terms of formality if anybody else likes them and would want to try one.
I really like Epaulet for this style jacket…
https://www.epauletbrand.com/collections/doyle-chore-coats
Of course! Great suggestion. I’ve linked theirs in the post now.
My alternative to a formal blazer is a 100 percent cotton, unlined navy jacket from kroon. Notch lapels and patch pockets. Worn with a pattern long sleeve shirt or a Polo. Khakis or jeans.
Kroon is one of those brands I’ve never quite gotten a handle on, though I’ve seen it in stores like Nordstrom, and often felt like I liked its casual take on tailoring.
I love my chore coats – have Navy and Tan.
What brand is that shirt in the top photo (with buttons going just halfway down the shirt)? I’d love to get one.
Thanks! The shirt is a washed denim popover from Proper Cloth. Here’s my referral link, and a link to the specific fabric here. Mine is 5-6 years old, and I bleached it when I first got it, so it’s quite a bit more faded than it comes from PC. But I love it, and will probably make another one just like it (though maybe in a full-button-front) when the collar finally wears through.
I never thought of a navy chore coat as an alternative to a navy blazer for certain casual occasions. I have a very nice chore coat from J Peterman which I will add to the rotation. Thanks!!!
Yeah for me it’s like, “hey let’s head to the brewery to get some pizza and beer to celebrate Matt’s birthday.” Navy blazer seems a bit much for that. Chore coat is perfect.
The Anthology makes a jacket (branded “Lazyman”) that’s a cross between a chore coat and a blazer.
Ooh yes! I’ll link that one, I love Buzz’s overall vibe and look.
I have the proper cloth one and it’s great!
Great to know, thanks Chris!
Personally, I’ve tried chores/shirt jackets and concluded I just don’t like how shapeless they are in the vast majority of cases. Also, with most non-tailored jackets, the problem imo is that they look like they’re strictly outerwear, not an integral part of the outfit that you’d wear even indoors.
If I was ready to spend that much, I’d get a 3PB from The armoury, that may be the exception. The fact it’s a bit cropped helps a lot, as well as the small-lapel instead of shirt buttoning.
What I usually do, though, if it’s cold enough, is wear a wool knitted jacket (with the collar popped so it looks less like a bad imitation of a real blazer, and more its own thing), which is basically knitwear in jacket form. No canvas, no lining, just doubling of the cloth on the front.
It that is too hot, I would strongly consider an unstructured washed cotton blazer, e.g. Boglioli (but many more brands do decent ones for much less, after all it’s uncanvassed anyway).
If even that sounds too smart, I would look again at cropped jackets, e.g. blousons.
Though to be honest I think the vast majority of men worry way too much about being overdressed, in most cases.
Do wear your nice clothes, I say – just make it playful rather than somber/boring (i.e. not a grey business suit).
I’ve been wearing this navy chore/utility jacket pictured as an alternative to the blazer to work about once a week the last few weeks. You’re definitely right that there’s something about it feeling like a piece of outerwear, more than just another layer. For me I determined it was because my preference on this jacket is to wear the collar popped. That was the key for me. The fabric is a heavy cotton twill, which may add to that, but I mean I wear a Drake’s heavy khaki cotton twill sportcoat often and that feels normal.
I agree that people are too concerned about being overdressed. I’m glad to have both this jacket and the khaki Drake’s one to wear when I’m worried about, say, rain, and I don’t want to wear something canvassed and/or don’t want to take a raincoat/umbrella.
Looks great! I will have to try this myself. Are you a member of the Church of Latter Day Saints by any chance?