Blazer facts for kids
A blazer is a type of jacket. It looks a bit like a suit jacket, but it's made to be more casual. Blazers are usually made from solid-colored fabrics. They often have shiny metal buttons, like those found on old navy uniforms. This is because blazers were first worn by members of boating clubs.
The fabric of a blazer is usually strong and lasts a long time. This is because blazers are often worn outdoors. Blazers are also a common part of a uniform. For example, airline employees, students at certain schools, or members of sports teams might wear blazers.
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What is a Blazer?
A blazer is a jacket that is more formal than a sport coat. However, it is less formal than a full suit jacket. Blazers are usually made in solid colors. They often have special buttons that make them stand out.
Wearing a Blazer: Styles and Occasions
Blazers can be worn with many different types of clothes. You can wear them with a dress shirt and necktie. Or, you can wear them with a casual polo shirt or even a plain T-shirt. They look good with trousers of all colors and fabrics. This includes classic white cotton, grey flannel, or even jeans.
Popular Blazer Designs
A classic style is the navy blue blazer. It often has two rows of buttons (double-breasted) and shiny metal buttons. This style is sometimes called a "reefer" blazer. It is very popular for business casual wear in places like North America and the United Kingdom.
Blazers as School Uniforms
Many schools, especially in the Commonwealth, use blazers as part of their school uniform. These blazers come in many colors. Students in Britain, Australia, and New Zealand often wear them every day. These traditional blazers usually have one row of buttons (single-breasted). They might be bright colors or have special piping along the edges.
Blazer Badges and What They Mean
When a blazer is part of a uniform, it often has a badge sewn onto the breast pocket. This is common for schools, colleges, sports clubs, or groups of former military members.
- School Badges: At schools, the badge might show if a student is in junior or senior school. It could also show if they are a prefect (a student leader). Or, it might show if they have won special awards in sports or academics.
- Club and Team Badges: Sports clubs also use badges on their blazers. These badges often show the team's logo.
- Military Associations: Groups of former military members often wear "regimental blazers." These blazers have a special badge on the pocket. The badge is usually made of wire. Sometimes, the buttons also have special designs.
In the British army, officers usually do not wear badges on their blazers. Blazers for these groups are often navy blue. However, some groups wear different colors, like rifle green for rifle regiments.
Blazers in Sports
Blazers used to be common in many traditional sports. Now, they are seen less often. Some tennis players still wear them sometimes. In cricket, it is a tradition for the captain to wear a blazer. This is especially true during international matches. The blazer will have the team's logo or national symbol on the pocket. The captain wears it during the coin toss at the start of the match.
Two famous sporting events award blazers to the winners:
- Congressional Cup Regatta: The winner of this sailing event gets a bright red blazer.
- Masters Golf Tournament: The top golfer at this event in the USA receives a green blazer.
History of the Blazer
The word blazer first came from the red jackets worn by the Lady Margaret Boat Club in 1825. This was a rowing club at St. John's College, Cambridge. Their jackets were called blazers because of their bright red color. The name stuck, even for other types of jackets.
A writer in a newspaper in 1889 explained this. They said that a "blazer" used to mean only the red flannel boating jacket. But by then, it meant any colored flannel jacket for sports or seaside wear.
Some people thought the name came from a ship called HMS Blazer. The crew of HMS Blazer wore striped blue and white jackets. This idea is not fully proven by old records. However, it shows that striped jackets were sometimes called blazers.
The "reefer jacket" was another type of jacket from the navy. Sailors wore these short, double-breasted jackets in bad weather. Modern dark blazers, with metal buttons, come from these reefer jackets. They can now be single-breasted or double-breasted.
Blazers as a Fashion Trend
In the 1960s, striped blazers became popular with British Mods. This fashion trend came back in the late 1970s. These blazers often had thick or thin stripes in three colors. They usually had three buttons down the front and vents at the back. Many famous bands like The Who and Small Faces wore blazers in the 1960s. Later, bright blazers with wide white edges became popular. These blazers sometimes had non-metal buttons. The movie Quadrophenia shows the earlier style of striped blazers. The bright style was later made famous by the character Austin Powers. By the late 2000s, blazers became a popular fashion item for women too. They often had shorter lengths, rolled-up sleeves, and bright colors.
See also
In Spanish: Bléiser para niños
