Formal Blazers
Men's Formal Blazers
Men's formal blazers from Hackett London are cut for the occasions that ask a little more: weddings, evening receptions, the Royal Enclosure and the dinners where a sports jacket will not quite do.
Construction that holds its shape
Formality starts inside. Our men's formal blazers are built on a full floating canvas, a chest piece of horsehair and wool left free between cloth and lining, so the lapel rolls smoothly and the front stays clean through a long evening. A fused jacket, where the canvas is glued, looks crisp on day one but stiffens and bubbles with time. The floating canvas softens and shapes itself to the wearer instead.
Detail tells the rest. Peaked or notch lapels finished with pick stitching, a fine hand-sewn line about 5 mm from the edge, keep the lapel flat and defined. Working cuff buttons, jetted pockets without flaps and a closer chest all point men's formal blazers towards evening rather than daytime.
Cloth, colour and the right level of shine
Smooth, fine worsteds suit formal dressing best, at around 260 to 300 g/m², with a gentle sheen that catches candlelight without glinting. Midnight navy and charcoal are the classic shades; ivory belongs to summer. Since Hackett London opened its first shop on King's Road in 1983, these cuts have been part of the house's answer to the British season. A silk-blend lining completes men's formal blazers and helps the jacket slip on over a dress shirt. The full range of cuts and cloths sits in men's blazers.
How to wear men's formal blazers
Men's formal blazers look their best with crisp, simple pieces and well-polished shoes. Two ways to wear one:
Midnight navy worsted over a white dress shirt and silk grenadine tie, charcoal trousers and black Oxford shoes: a September wedding reception in a London townhouse.
Charcoal worsted over a white poplin shirt with a linen pocket square, mid-grey trousers and black monk straps: a smart dinner in St James's.
Turn the lapel over. Pick stitching should run in a tight, even line along the edge, the surest sign of a jacket finished by hand.
What is the difference between men's formal blazers and a dinner jacket?
Men's formal blazers are smart tailored jackets for weddings and evening events, while a dinner jacket is the specific jacket of black-tie dress with silk-faced lapels. A formal blazer can be worn with contrasting trousers. A dinner jacket is always worn with matching trousers trimmed with a silk stripe.
Can I wear a formal blazer to a wedding?
A formal blazer is ideal for most weddings when worn with a crisp shirt, tie and well-polished shoes. Navy and charcoal are the safest colours. Check the dress code first, as morning dress or black tie require their own garments.
How should a formal blazer fit?
A formal blazer should fit closely through the chest and waist, with the shoulder seam ending at your natural shoulder. The sleeve should show around 1 cm of shirt cuff. The length should cover the seat of the trousers.