The London Lounge

Hello all! Long been a fan of this site and the members that contribute so I thought that I might as well ask you something that has been bothering me. I just had a beautiful navy blue hopsack double breasted blazer completed at my tailor with the traditional gilt buttons but was wondering what to pair it with? I know the most common combination is grey trousers and I have seen my grandfather wear his with white trousers but what other options are there? A tan perhaps or maybe a chocolat brown pant? Thanks very much for your opinions and help in advance!

The navy blazer is the blankest canvas possible. Given the fact that the top half is solid, I like to add some pattern down south, such as houndstooth or PoW. Otherwise, any shade of tan/beige between cream and milk chocolate brown is a classic option. The trad tradition calls for sea foam green or coral pink. Go ahead and see what works for you.

Tan, beige, khaki, red... and all kinds of gray flannels, of course! For some reason I prefer solid colours to patterned trousers with blazers....
Why don't I see brown as an option?

It is hard to go wrong here. The only way to run amuck is to choose trousers that do not create enough contrast. Dark blue and gray will not look well. I have often read that jeans work but IMO the difference in style and purpose is not harmonious. A while ago Etutee wrote,"The art of wearing the patterned trouser is long lost." For this reason I always look for the opportunity to employ such trousers and for me this is an ideal one. The stroller is another. Light gray and cream flannel work well especially if the blazer is flannel. With hopsack I would try for something with surface texture such as whipcord or twill. I generally opt for similar cloth and always contrasting color.
There is no man who will not look good in a well cut blazer. Small wonder that we practical Americans tend to wear it for all occasions, even those we should not.

JD,

With a navy blue hopsack blazer, you could pair the coat with tan and brown marl wool twill trousers,
which is a step-weave, and far more interesting than plain beige cavalry twill. Or you could pair the blazer with salmon red linen, dark tan wool gabardine, or dark green pinwale corduroy embroidered with a random scattering of tiny colorful blossoms. Or you could pair the coat with a cream and mid-
tan herringbone linen tweed, even a dark grey and light grey herringbone tweed of cashmere-and-wool, which is far more interesting than the proverbial plain mid-grey woollen flannel. Be adventuresome. Blazers are incredibly versatile. See what combinations appeal to you.

JMB

The key to wearing the ubiquitous navy blazer is in the accessorizing. Quality accessories and care to color and texture will distinguish your look.
Be aware of the contrast of the hopsack weave and the weave of the trouser.

The more color contrast between jacket and trouser, the more casual/sporty the appearance. Less contrast between the two is the more conservative look. Your personality and what event or situation you are dressing for should guide your decision.

Taupe ( brownish/grey or greyish/brown) trouser, medium blue with white striped shirt and brown suede shoe is one of my favorite looks. Light, medium and a dark grey in differing textures, flannel, worsted or twills are classic. Most adventurous look I did for a client was navy jacket, white shirt and a very, in your face, fuschia gabardine trouser. Not for the faint of heart.

On the matter of contrast, I would avoid at all cost the dull combination of blazer with dark gray grousers.

Costi wrote:On the matter of contrast, I would avoid at all cost the dull combination of blazer with dark gray grousers.

You don't like a blue blazer with blue jeans either? I think Valentino Ricci shows, how it can be done here: http://images.thesartorialist.com/thumb ... 438Web.jpg

Michael has also shown a way to do it: http://www.thelondonlounge.net/forum/vi ... =32&t=9911

Gruto, I still don't own a pair of jeans...
If I did, I would choose a lighter shade of blue for pairing with a blazer.