blazer

Single-breasted Blazer

Though the term "blazer" is often used as a synonym for "sportcoat", a blazer or boating jacket specifically refers to a type of jacket, often double-breasted although single-breasted blazers have become more common recently. A blazer resembles a suit jacket except that it usually has patch pockets with no flaps, and metal shank buttons. A blazer's cloth is usually of a durable nature, as it is used in schools and was used for sport.

They often form part of the uniform dress of bodies such as airlines, schools, yacht or rowing clubs, and private security organizations. As sporting dress has become more adapted to the activity, the blazer has become more restricted to clubs' social meetings.

Commonly, blazers are navy blue, but almost every colour and combination of colours has been used, particularly by schools and sporting organizations. In the early 20th century, striped blazers were in fashion, as seen in the 1969 film Women in Love (film).

Associated conventions

Where the blazer is part of the dress of a school, college, sports club, or armed service veterans' association, it is normal for a badge to be sewn to the breast pocket. In schools, this may vary according to the student's standing in the school; whether a member of the junior or senior school, being a prefect or having been awarded colors. Colors are awarded in recognition of particular achievement in some academic or sporting field. The notion of awarding colors in school is related to that of awarding colors to a regiment. It may be the origin of the American custom of awarding letters to high-school athletes, which are worn on a letterman's sweater or jacket.

The blazer has become a cultural symbol of intelligence stemming from their appearance around America and Europe in universities.

Etymology

The term 'blazer' of this variety originated with the red 'blazers' of the Lady Margaret Boat Club, the rowing club of St. John's College, Cambridge. The LMBC jackets were termed 'blazers' due to their bright red 'blazing' color, and the term was adopted for wider use later. Assertions that the name is derived from HMS Blazer are not borne out by contemporary sources.

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