Bravado Living

We’ve been getting a lot of questions asking us the difference between a blazer, a suit jacket, and a sport coat. Well gentlemen we’re here to clear the air. Blazers are a basketball team from Portland, Oregon (please excuse the bad joke, it’s 2:00 am).

In all seriousness.

BLAZERS

Blazers are not merely jackets that are worn with a pair of off-color slacks. They are a staple in a man’s wardrobe. In many instances should be one of the first major clothing purchases in your life, and will serve you very well as versatile, stylish, anchor of your style. So what is it?

A blazer is a two or three button (buy it in two), wool jacket , most commonly seen in navy, and adorned with gold buttons. Other than your favorite pair of dark jeans, no item is more forgiving. Trust us. You can wear it with just about anything from khakis on casual friday, to jeans for a night on the town, to seersucker pants if you’re really feeling adventurous, this companion can do it all. If you don’t have one already, please buy one. Like most things they make, we prefer Ralph Lauren’s Purple Label version as it sits well, holds its shape, and looks phenomenal.

Also make sure to get it tailored. Notice the silhouette of the jacket above and how the shape can make you look jacked, even though you haven’t done a pull-up in your life.

SPORT COATS

Sport coats on the other hand tend to be a patterned worsted wool with either a checker, herringbone, or corset pattern. It is almost always a rougher texture due to it’s lower thread count. This lends itself as the most casual jacket of the bunch. Worn for lazy days at the track, a passport holder at the airport, or to dress up a pair of jeans, the sport coat- while not the most essential of items- will definitely yield itself useful when the time comes.

SUIT JACKET

The suit jacket is recognizable by it’s higher thread count and matching pants (never wear a jacket with “close enough” pants and try to pass it off as a suit- everyone can tell). It can be adorned by any number of patterns but most commonly a chalk or pin stripe like the suit featured below.

Notice the pocket square, thinner tie, and tailored jacket. Well done, sir. Well done indeed.

King James will return to his court October 27, and he’ll be wearing these. Designed specifically for LeBron James, the Nike Air Max LeBron VII ($160; October 24) is the company’s most advanced hoops shoe yet. It features a new custom Max 360 Air sole with 80 percent more air than the previous full-length unit, strategically contoured with a thinner forefoot and deeper heel to put the cushioning where it’s needed most. For even more comfort and stability, it features Nike Flywire tensile fiber technology, a seamless integrated bootie, various visual hints to LeBron all over, and a full-grain leather upper with patent leather detailing throughout. -Via

Introducing the Black Label Ralph Lauren collection to Barneys New York. The suit is part of this upcoming spring’s deluge of new clothes. This is definitely something to keep an eye out for. The Black Label suit is razor-sharp; blending the iconic good taste we have come to expect from Ralph Lauren with a young, sexy silhouette.

I think it’s just the bee’s knees. I would wear this anywhere and everywhere. To work, to lunch, to sleep, you name it. It’s sleek and sophisticated, a real gentleman’s piece. The color is great too, dark and neutral. This is a deal maker’s suit, a suit of kings.

If I bought this suit and got hit by a car, my last thought would be about how great the suit was going to look on me at my funeral. I can’t wait for spring.

BUY IT   Ralph Lauren Black Label Olive Linen Suit $1,850
Barneys New York, 660 Madison Ave., NYC, (888) 8BARNEYS

The World Traveller Clock from Dalvey is a great little gadget for the gentleman on the go. It is like the bastard child of a pocket watch and a wallet and raised in a monastery of alarm clocks. t folds neatly into a pocket and features a quality Japanese quartz movement, 12 hour repeat alarm with a single two minute snooze, second time zone hand, a power reserve indication, day and date display and hours and a separate second hand, which is revealed by simply preessing down a button on the side of the watch. It has a satin metallic face and fine Italian leather casing. It’s pretty compact too, which really facilitates the easiness of the clock’s transport; you could literally carry it in your pocket everywhere. When closed, the World Traveller Clock measures 2 inches (5.3 cm) wide, 2 1/2 inches (6.3 cm) tall, 7.8 inch (2 cm) thick, and weighs just 3.8 ounces (107 grams). The diameter of the face measures 1 1/2 inches (3.8 cm).

I just love that it has a second time zone hand, that way you can always know what time it is back home when you are calling. That is so perfect for calling at irregular hours and then pretending it was an honest mistake, genius. The power reserve indicator is pretty neat too, since a dead clock can ruin a carefully planned itinerary. This is the type of clock that is equally at home on a series of extended business trips or for just touring around some nation’s countryside. The satin metallic face and beautiful leather casing are elegant, but not too showy. This make a great gift for father’s day, birthdays, or for yourself. They go for about $222.

Get one here.