While there are plenty of occasions to wear formal attire throughout the year — the office, a date, weddings and funerals and so on — autumn is especially well suited for it. With cooler temperatures and less humidity than summer and less mud and rain than spring, it’s the sweet spot for dressing well. And no article of clothing resonates better to cool evenings and changing leaves like a blazer or a sport coat. They’re capable of making a white tee look slick, a fall sweater look professorial, or a button-down look buttoned-up. We’ve broken down the best blazers and sport coats to wear this autumn, depending on how deep your pockets are and whether you like tweed, herringbone or corduroy.
Under $250
Cocktail Attire, with Money Left Over for Cocktails
Perry Ellis Modern Fit Plaid Blazer
This traditional black blazer — really a suit separate — is made with a polyester-rayon blend, comes in a modern fit (meaning it’s better suited for athletic builds), and is appropriate to wear with matching black trousers or dressed down with jeans.
Uniqlo Wool Blended Comfort Jacket
Available in nine different colors, from dark gray to a tartan wine (maroon), this tweed jacket is versatile enough to be worn at company retreats or to a happy hour. Each jacket is sold in standard sizes (S/M/L/XL) rather than by chest and shoulder measurements.
ASOS Skinny Blazer In Jersey
Designed in London, this slim fitting blazer comes with a notch lapel and an internal pocket. It only comes in navy, and each blazer can be ordered with or without a in-built pocket square.
L.L. Bean Signature Cord Blazer
This corduroy sport coat is ideal for fall. It’s warm, made entirely of cotton, and wears comfortably over a sweater. It’s slim fitting (even through its sleeves), has a smooth Bemberg lining and a double-vented back.
Ben Sherman Original Herringbone Blazer
As its name suggests, Ben Sherman’s blazer boasts a herringbone weave. It’s also only available in brown, has a gingham and candy stripe lining, and comes with a built-in pocket square.
$250-$500
Better Quality at a Good Price
J.Crew Wallace & Barnes Hunting Sportcoat
The Wallace & Barnes line by J.Crew is inspired by traditional blue-collar and military workwear. This sports jacket is one of the line’s newest additions. It’s loosely woven with English wool, so it feels heavy like a jacket. It has patch pockets, no back vents and a three-button closure system.
Bonobos Academy Blazer
Each Academy blazer can be purchased in either a slim or standard fit. They’re woven entirely of Italian Marzotto wool, and have a Bemberg lining. And if grey isn’t what you want, they come in several other colors.
Steven Alan Weekend Jacket
This USA-made blazer has a notch lapel, comfortably non-structured shoulders and flap welt pockets. Each blazer is available in standard sizes in black or blue.
Reiss Billie Navy Textured Wool Blazer
Perfect to wear over a white tee or a navy button-down, this wool blazer has a notch lapel and four buttons on each sleeve’s cuff. Reiss also recommends pairing the blazer with black pants and polished dress shoes.
SuitSupply Havana Brown Check
Slim fitting and woven with a wool-cashmere blend from Italy, this checkered brown blazer is warm and comfortable. It has a notch lapel, soft shoulders and two large side pockets.
$500-$1,000
Executive Status
Gant Rugger The Doubler Blazer
With a shorter back and a more bulky silhouette thanks to the double-breasted design, this is an ideal outdoor blazer. It’s woven with a wool-cashmere blend, and has several neat little details — like Gant’s signature cream-colored stitching on the lapel and cuffs.
Ralph Lauren Carson Unlined Cotton Jacket
From Ralph Lauren’s Americana-and-workwear-inspired RRL Line, this casual jacket is made with cotton jaspé twill. It’s unlined and has a three-button closure system that makes it feel like a flannel shirt.
Arc’Teryx Veilance Indisce Blazer
Unlike any other blazer on this list, the Arc’Teryx Veilance Indisce blazer is extremely technical. It’s water resistant, lightweight and has Windstopper 3-Layer technology.
Robert Talbott Serra Jacket
This California-based brand makes their Serra Jacket in Italy. Each comes with a single back vent and a cotton melange butterfly lining. Robert Talbott also makes this jacket in gold and red colors.
Theory Wellar Eldoret Jacket
Made of 100 percent cashmere, this two-button jacket is suitable for casual outdoor cookouts or holiday gatherings. It comes in a tailored fit and has functional hand pockets.
Over $1,000
Somebody Puts This Jacket On For Your
Lardini Wool Tweed Blazer
This Italian-made beautiful melange tweed blazer is cozy, yet formal. It has lined sleeves and a flower buttonhole on its notch lapel. It’s available at Club Monaco.
Paul Smith Wool-Twill Blazer
This slim-fitting blazer is woven with a 100 percent wool-twill. Its notch lapel boasts both Melton-wool and a satin under-collar. And inside, the lining is striped with all the colors of the rainbow.
Boglioli High Performance Jacket
If this jacket looks worn, it’s meant to. The wool is dyed to give it “a refined, lived-in look.” It’s tailored and snug fitting like a suit jacket, but it’s heavy enough to handle any brisk autumn breeze.
Isaia Donegal Two-Button Jacket
This Italian-made jacket has basted sleeves, a two-button front and soft shoulders. When Bradley Cooper dresses down, he probably throws on this blazer.
Brunello Cucinelli Unstructured Herringbone Blazer
Brunello Cucinelli’s blazer is a blend of wool, silk and cashmere. It’s woven with a herringbone pattern, and despite its lavish price, it’s perfectly suitable to pair with jeans and sneakers.
