Question:
What's the real difference between the two, and what are thier appropriate applications?
Answer:
According to STP:
Blazer vs. Sport Coat. The only difference between a blazer and a sport coat is that a blazer is always solid-colored and a sport coat always has some type of pattern (stripes, checks, herringbone, etc.).
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/lp2/mens-guide.html
I guess the applications are endless. I might see a blazer as a touch more formal.
Answer:
Metal buttons.
Answer:
blazers are navy and have metal buttons
Answer:
Or striped (as in English rowing or cricket getup), or some solid color like coral or lime green (American golf club).
Answer:
Sportcoat (or odd jacket) is the genus, blazer is one species in that genus.
Answer:
Blazers in the Black Watch tartan have some popularity in the States. I just had W.W. Chan make me one from a Holland & Sherry "Snowy River" fabric with H&S enameled buttons with the Celtic Cross design, and I am extremely pleased with it.
I think the Beverly Hills Brooks Brothers regularly stocks both green and Black Watch blazers although I have never seen either at their South Coast store that I more commonly visit.
Although metal buttons are customarily regarded as essentially differentiating a blazer from a sport coat, I think solid color jackets with smoked mother of pearl buttons are also customarily deemed blazers...at least if they're dark blue.
Answer:
What color pants do you wear with that ? I have a jacket like that and I have only be successful pairing it with light gray pants.
Answer:
Light gray, dark gray, various shades of tan and light brown and navy. I think it is particularly striking with the latter.
