Chandler Bondurant
Whether by plane, train or automobile, travel can be hard on tailored clothing. That, of course, is where the travel blazer comes in.
There’s no formal definition for the style, which has grown in prominence in the last two decades as jet-setting became a more frequent factor of work and leisure, and dress codes across the world relaxed. What they do share in common is a choice of lighter-weight fabric, often a wool hopsack selected for its breathable and naturally wrinkle-resistant weave. Other common features include patch pockets into which items can easily be stashed away and retrieved, and softer constructions that typically do away with paddings, linings and sometimes leave the jacket completely unstructured.
After taking a careful scouring of the present market, we’ve found these seven jackets from Private White V.C., Luca Faloni, Connolly and more as a fine representation of the burgeoning category at large, no matter if your final destination is a board meeting or a beach.
Drake’s Navy Wool Hopsack Travel Blazer
Image Credit: Drake’s Yes, this blue blazer by Drake’s may have “travel” in the title, but that doesn’t mean that the English maker has cut any corners. The jacket is made in the house style with a natural shoulder and a soft, lightweight construction with full canvassing, and benefits from handwork at the chest, sleeves, and shoulders. What makes it adept at on-the-run wear is the choice of fabric, an 8.2 oz high-twist hopsack wool whose natural springiness and open weave will resist wrinkles and allow for better airflow.
Private White V.C. The Demob Merino Wool Blazer
Image Credit: Private White V.C. Named “Demob” in homage to the hard-wearing, simply designed jackets that were distributed to British soldiers following the end of WWII, this Private White V.C. blazer is made in the U.K. from merino wool-flannel. Left unlined with copper-bound seams for greater durability and bellows pockets for maximum storage, this is one jacket that can take a beating and look better for it.
Connolly Light Gray Travel Jacket
Image Credit: Connolly Connolly’s travel jacket—which can be paired with matching trousers to be worn as a full suit—is tailored from a blend of Italian virgin wool and cashmere with a hint of stretch to accommodate that last-minute sprint to the gate. Three patch pockets provide plenty of space for stuffing boarding passes and passports.
Luca Faloni Travel Jacket
Image Credit: Luca Faloni Unstructured and half-lined, Luca Faloni’s travel jacket is like a traditional blue blazer minus the stuffing. Tailored from a pure Italian wool weighted at just over 6 oz. with natural wrinkle-resistance, it’s a reminder that the best performance fabrics are natural.
Cad & The Dandy Single Breasted Travel Jacket in Navy Hopsack
Image Credit: Cad & The Dandy A hopsack fabric made from a blend of breathable wool and crisp mohair is the secret sauce of Cad & The Dandy’s travel jacket, which will resist wrinkles and creases better when slung over the shoulder or stored in the overhead. Featuring a soft shoulder, a nipped waist and a single-button closure, it’s an excellent advertisement for the Savile Row tailor’s house style.
De Bonne Facture Traveler Cotton-Twill Suit Jacket
Image Credit: De Bonne Facture A De Bonne Facture favorite season after season, its traveler jacket is made from a hearty cotton-twill and leans closer to a chore coat with a cropped length, boxier cut, and unvented back. However, it still signals “blazer” thanks to its triple patch pockets and notched lapel, allowing it to upgrade a single oxford-and-jeans look into something more presentable.
Rivay Italian Tour Knit Sport Coat in Navy
Image Credit: Rivay Rivay’s bread and butter is making more rugged, casual takes on classic tailoring that are no less wearable. Exhibit 1 is its Italian Tour sport coat, which is tailored in Naples from a wool-cotton knit piqué that’s as breathable as a favorite polo shirt. The fabric’s structure adds a bit of heft to the otherwise sweater-like sport coat, which has been left unstructured, unlined, and unpadded for maximum comfort and softness.
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