The Best Blazers and Sportcoats for Warm Summer Weather

When the dress code is business casual, but the forecast warns of oppressive heat, the right choice is a blazer made of summer-weight fabric, not a full-on suit. The material should be lightweight and breathable, with the top candidates being linen, cotton, silk, and lightweight wool. Most summer blazers will also be unlined – meaning no full-canvas – a style that cuts unnecessary weight and softens the silhouette for a more casual aesthetic.

After years of wearing as well as inspecting various summer blazers on showroom floors and press previews, here are our recommendations for the best summer blazers and sportcoats for men to match all manner of styles and budgets, as well as some helpful background information on the fits and fabrics that often separate these unique blazers from their peers.

Best All-Rounder

Everlane

Best All-Rounder

Everlane The Linen Blazer

Specs

Materials	100% European Flax Linen
Care	Machine was cold. Tumble dry low. Iron when needed.
Available Colors	Navy (Shown), Cornstalk Chambray, Black
Available Fits	Regular

• $198.00 at Everlane

We appreciate just how much the look of this summer blazer can differ depending on the color. The navy and black versions could technically be worn in shoulder seasons, too, while the cornstalk chambray option offers a decidedly summer look. The blazer also provides an appealing mix of formal and informal detailing. It’s partially lined in just the sleeves and shoulders and features shoulder pads for a bit of structure. But it’s also machine washable and even treatable with non-chlorine bleach if needed. Its versatility, washability and approachable price make it our current all-around pick.

A Great Athletic Fit Option

Bonobos

A Great Athletic Fit Option

Bonobos Jetsetter Italian Linen Blazer

Specs

Materials	100% Linen
Care	Dry clean only
Available Colors	Bright Navy (Shown), Stone Beige, Dark Brown, Mineral Green, Light Blue
Available Fits	Slim, Athletic, Standard

• $350 at Bonobos
  $500 (30% off)

The linen version of Bonobo’s Jetsetter Italian blazer is uniquely styled for warmer months. Most colors, excluding the dark brown option, skew towards lighter hues appropriate for the warmer seasons. It’s also sold in various sizes and three different fits, including slim, athletic, and standard, giving buyers many options to hone in on their perfect fit right off the rack. You can also save $150 off this jacket using the code ROYALTY.

A Great Luxury Option

Saks Fifth Avenue

A Great Luxury Option

Brunello Cuncinelli Linen, Wool and Silk Diagonal Deconstructed Blazer

Specs

Materials	74% Linen, 24% Wool, 2% Silk
Care	Wet cleaning a specialist cleaner's only
Available Colors	Indigo (Shown), Off White
Available Fits	Standard

• $3,195 at Brunello Cuncinelli
• $3,195 at Saks Fifth Avenue

The luxurious vibes of this particular Brunello summery sportcoat stem partly from its blend of natural fibers, which create texture while still feeling lightweight. Tailoring is also crucial here. The summer blazer’s “Solomeo Shoulder” provides a masculine fit without needing shoulder pads.

A Great Customizable Option

Proper Cloth

A Great Customizable Option

Proper Cloth The Linen and Lyocell Bedford Jacket

Specs

Materials	63% Linen · 37% Lyocell
Care	Dry clean only
Available Colors	Beige Hopsack (Shown), Navy, Slate, Blue, Olive, Garnet
Available Fits	Extra Slim, Slim, Classic

• $495 at Proper Cloth

This jacket features a lightweight blend of linen and lyocell that helps wick away moisture, while its more hopsack weave allows for superior airflow. And just like Proper Cloth’s shirts, buyers can customize plenty of details, including the jacket’s buttons, lapels, pocket styling, vent styling, and construction.

A Great Knit Option

Todd Snyder

A Great Knit Option

Todd Snyder Italian Knit Madison Sport Coat

Specs

Materials	100% Cotton
Care	Dry clean only
Available Colors	Olive (Shown), Navy, Birch, Black, Pine Cone, Faded Surplus
Available Fits	Regular and Long

• $698 at Todd Synder

As Todd Snyder’s Chief Product Officer Alejandro Rhett pointed out to us, the weave of fabric can make the most significant difference in its feel during the summer months. This softly tailored blazer accentuates the wearer’s natural build, while its open pique weave helps cool wearers down when temps rise.

A Great Budget Option

Uniqlo

A Good Budget Option

Uniqlo AirSense Blazer

Specs

Materials	Custom material developed by Toray and UNIQLO
Care	Machine washable
Available Fits	Regular
Available Colors	Navy (Shown), Tan

• $79.90 at Uniqlo

This jacket is a true technical blazer made from a proprietary material that’s lightweight, stretchy, quick-drying, and quick-sweat-wicking, all of which are great features for a summer blazer. It’s also very accessible. The biggest concern is that compared to other options on this list, the synthetic materials of the jacket could look cheap upon closer inspection.

A Great Classic Option

Ralph Lauren

A Great Classic Option

Polo Ralph Lauren Soft Tailored Linen Sport Coat

Specs

Materials	100% Linen
Care	Dry Clean Only
Available Fits	Short, Regular, Long
Available Colors	Dark Navy (Shown), Sunfish Yellow, Thermal Green, Light Cream, Heritage Blue, York Brown

• $698 at Ralph Lauren

The Polo by Ralph Lauren jacket is about as classic as it gets for a modern-day summer sports coat. It’s made of linen with a natural shoulder, a slightly structured chest, notch lapels, a double vent, and a partial lining. If you want to go bold, some other color options beyond navy certainly fit that bill.

A Great Informal Option

Alex Mill

A Great Informal Option

Alex Mill Mercer Blazer

Specs

Materials	100% Linen
Care	Dry Clean Only
Available Colors	Navy (Shown), Flax
Available Fits	Standard

• $225.00 at Alex Mill

Alex Mill’s Mercer blazer blends several different styles into one unique coat. Part-chore coat, part-shawl collar jacket, part-blazer, it’s lightweight without being shirt-like, knit a bit thicker and casual while still being incredibly cool.

Our tester found the blazer fit well through the shoulders, across the chest and down the arms, but it runs short, hitting the hips more like a trucker jacket than a blazer, which usually covers the rear and hangs over both hip pockets. It looks more formal than Buck Mason’s, for example, but it doesn’t look polished enough for a traditional office space or to be the best man in a wedding. The smaller, pointed lapels make quite the statement, though, our tester says, a feature not found on most affordable jackets.

A Great Travel Option

Buck Mason

A Great Travel Option

Buck Mason Parachute Poplin Carry-On Jacket

Specs

Materials	5.5. oz cotton poplin
Care	Machine washable on cold. Tumble dry low. Low iron if necessary.
Available Colors	Sand Venice Wash (Shown), Black, Tanker Green Venice Wash
Available Fits	Standard

• $188 at Buck Mason

Buck Mason’s Parachute Poplin Carry-On Jacket is one of the most casual summer blazer options on this list that skews more toward chore coat vibes, given that it’s unlined, lacks a back vent, and doesn’t have cuff buttons.

It’ll shine most while traveling, commuting, or attending casual (yet semi-formal) lunches, dinners, or dates. And unlike many options on this list, it’s machine washable.

A Great Broken-In Option

Huckberry

A Great Broken-In Option

Flint and Tinder 365 Cotton Linen Blazer

Specs

Materials	70% Cotton, 30% Linen (6 oz.)
Care	Turn jacket inside out and machine wash separately on cold. Tumble dry low.
Available Colors	Navy (Shown), Natural
Available Fits	Regular

• $228 at Huckberry

Since this summer blazer is made mainly from cotton instead of linen, it’ll still feel right while wearing it into the fall. Remember that since it’s garment dyed, we recommend washing it separately the first few times until all of the excess dye has run off.

Key Summer Blazer and Sportcoat Terms to Know

Unconstructed/Unstructured

An unconstructed or unstructured blazer is simply a suit jacket without a liner. You know how some suits are full-canvas, while others are only half? The descriptor, full- or half-, explains whether the suit itself is fully lined with canvas or only half so, meaning it stops at the mid-way point, covering the shoulders and chest exclusively.

Traveler/Commuter

A traveler’s blazer is simply wrinkle-resistant. The name implies you can pack it into a suitcase without worrying about how it’ll look later on. Or, you could sit through a six-hour flight without creasing the tail or chest.

The Best Fabrics for Summer Blazers and Sportcoats

What makes a blazer or sportcoat particularly suitable for summer is fabric choices. We spoke with Todd Snyder Chief Product Officer Alejandro Rhett to better understand the best fabrics to wear when it’s warm out. 

Before digging into specific fabrics, Rhett quickly emphasized the importance of weave and fit/drape. He noted that the wider the weave, the more airflow you’ll feel. Likewise, the tighter the fit, the more likely you will sweat, regardless of fabric choice. 

Regarding fabrics in particular, Rhett recommends prioritizing natural fibers first since, in his words, “natural fibers tend to be more breathable than man-made.”

For a full rundown of Rhett’s advice, read our guide to the best and worst fabrics for summer. If you prefer just the cliff’s notes, below are the best fabrics he recommends for summer blazers and sportcoats in ranked order.

• Linen
• Cotton
• Cotton Variants
• Hemp
• Wool
• Bamboo
• Corduroy
• Silk
• Cashmere

How to Wear a Summer Blazer

Summer-weight blazers work well with everything from chinos and a tie to jeans and a T-shirt. With proper preparation for the upcoming heat, you can stay cool without sacrificing style because although these are breathable, they are no lesser. These blazers work in place of a serious suit at an outdoor wedding, weekend event, or other business casual affair.

If you’re looking for something more buttoned-up — i.e., a suit you can wear to an event with stricter dress code enforcement (like a performance dress shirt and dress pants) — look no further than our guide to summer suits, which comprises tips and how-tos for buying the whole thing.

Learn more about how to wear a suit in the summer.

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