History of the blazer
Jun 11 2011
There are many theories as to the origin of the jacket known as a blazer.
In 1837 the young Queen Victoria was due to inspect the frigate HMS Blazer. The crew were rather unsightly and the commander decided to have the crew wearing a short jacket with brass buttons. The Queen was so impressed she required all the Queens’ sailors to wear a similar uniform.
Another theory is the term derived from the 19th century British nobility who ‘emblazoned’ their jackets with family, school or club badges.
Yet another legend is that the oarsmen of the Lady Margaret Boat Club from St John’s College at Cambridge University wore red stripe jackets and they were ‘ablaze’ in the water.
The wearing of a blazer was to show that the wearer was part of a group such as a school, university, sports club or indeed any organisation that displayed its uniform and corporate identity.
The original blazers were in a striped material that included the colours that represented the club, school, family etc. Later on blazers were made in either a double or single breasted style with a badge on the left breast pocket.
The blazer would have been made in navy wool serge with metal buttons that could incorporate the crest of the club.
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Category: Tailoring Advice
