Drake’s corduroy Mk.I Games Blazer: Review
This is the Mk.1 Games Blazer from Drake’s in russet corduroy.
To be honest, I’ve lost track of the numbers and which style each is, but the important thing is that this one's a fairly regular jacket with notched lapels - not the version I’d known best previously, with peak.
All the other details are really just details - patch pockets, flaps, lack of lining. Particularly as that choice is often driven by the material itself - with this corduroy there is no need for any lining, as the reverse is so smooth; a hairy tweed is rather different.
I also think it’s best to think of this style as lying somewhere between a jacket and a chore coat on our recent list of tailoring alternatives.
While it has regular lapels and rounded fronts (two of the usual properties of a jacket) it also has no vents, no buttons on the sleeve and twin-needle seams (all more common on a chore).
It's also cut a little short and square and, more subtly, has no internal structure - nothing in the collar, lapels or chest - and therefore no real shaping.
As with a chore, this throws all the emphasis on the material, and this heavy cord is really nice. An English eight-wale, it’s strong but not stiff, and I've already seen mine soften over the first dozen wears.
In fact cloth choice might be the biggest strength of the whole Games range. This mid-brown colour is the perfect shade, as are the dark brown and the olive. I’m even tempted by the corn colour, which is striking but not too saturated.
The navy tweed they’ve just brought out in the Mk.VII (single breasted, lined sleeves) is exactly what I would have chosen, as is the melton in the double-breasted Mk.III. There’s even the mid-grey herringbone I’m always banging on about as the most versatile jacket.
They’re heavy - the tweed is a 14oz Harris - but that suits the style. They’re not a jacket replacement in the sense of something to wear around the office, as a modern replacement for a suit.
Rather they're closer to outerwear, which is how most men who don’t normally wear tailoring would probably wear tailoring - not layered underneath an overcoat, but layered on top of a shetland or a sweatshirt.
Instinctively, this role for the jacket is also reflected in how I've found I wear it.
Over knitwear, yes, as with the Rubato lambswool crewneck pictured. With a warmer shirt, a hat and a scarf to make it more winter-friendly, rather than a coat. And while the down-gilet-over-the-top look is too much for me, I understand the motivation - it makes sense over this kind of chunky material.
I always wear the collar up - it’s what I’d usually do with a chore, and the lack of internal structure plus the thick material makes it feel natural.
I wear it undone most of the time. Given the lack of shape and structure, there isn’t that much to be gained by buttoning that waist button.
When I do button the jacket it’s against the cold, and while I’m likely to use the waist button, it looks just as good with the top button instead - plus the functional button under the chin perhaps.
Finally, I use the hip pockets a lot. The material can clearly take it, and the cord also makes it a little awkward to use trouser pockets if the jacket is buttoned.
These are all things I would naturally do with a chore.
So where does this type of jacket fit into a wardrobe?
I think it’s for the guy who wants a piece of outerwear that is casual but can be worn with flannels and jeans. Perhaps he's tried chore jackets but found them too simple, square or straightforward.
Not for the kind of guy who works in an office, in tailored trousers and smart shoes, and wants a jacket to go with them. He should try the pieces labelled ‘tailored jacket’ at Drake’s. Not necessarily to buy that one (I’d nudge him towards made to measure in any case), but to notice the difference in style, cut, structure and resulting smartness.
As a reader pointed out recently, it is definitely easier to wear a tailored jacket with jeans and casual trousers than most people think. I want to help with that and never lose that. But I also know there will be many men who want a jacket that is precisely this casual.
Drake’s is expensive these days. This jacket is £795 and that’s a lot for a cord jacket, even with the store, service and styling that I’m very happy to pay for.
This puts me off some of the tailoring, but I’m more willing to pay for clothes that feel unique - where I can’t get the same thing anywhere else and can ‘feel’ more of the design. I think the Games blazers fall into that category, as do the Drake's suede chore jackets.
I did try the Games trousers that match this jacket by the way, but didn’t take to them.
I think it’s great that Drake’s break them up with this way, and you can buy both, one or the other. They do them in materials - linen, cord, canvas - that I’ve always recommended as best for a ‘three-way suit’.
But the trousers felt a little lower in the rise than with previous iterations, and I didn’t like the single pleat. That thick cord is also an easier sell in an outerwear jacket, but a little more specific in a trouser.
Other clothes pictured:
- Rubato lambswool crewneck in fawn, size medium
- PS Arran scarf in olive
- Begg Arran scarf in silver
- Seventies Levi’s 501s, Le Vif
- Alden full-strap Color 8 cordovan loafers, Aberdeen last
- Frank Clegg large working tote, chestnut
- Cartier Tank Chronoflex, yellow gold
Hi Simon,
I have a MK4 which has flaps on all the pockets otherwise same style/fit, in a line/cotton mix. This was for similar use to that which you described, for the warmer months. Especially with a Breton T-shirt underneath or an OCBD. I remember running the idea by you in early spring, so a belated thanks for your advice at the time.
I am very tempted by the cord version given how useful the summer one turned out to be. I agree the cord version is a little on the expensive side for a cord jacket, and also agree on the things that sit around it. Still I think it should be around £100 less.
Do you have a view on which is the most versatile colour. I’m edging towards the russet, however I do really like the dark brown, but feel it looks a little too much towards a velvet jacket for the use you have described. Any thoughts appreciated as always.
Thanks for an informed and interesting article.
Hi Simon, re my earlier comment please could you advise:
Do you have a view on which is the most versatile colour.?
I’m edging towards the russet, however I do really like the dark brown, but feel it looks a little too much towards a velvet jacket for the use you have described? Any thoughts appreciated as always. I’m hoping to go shopping in the coming days!
Best
I don’t think the brown will feel like a velvet jacket, Stephen. I’d say they’d both be very versatile, but I’d err towards the russet if you wear more mid-blue jeans, tan chinos etc, and perhaps the dark brown if more darker jeans, darker trousers. But we’re splitting hairs at this point
Thanks Simon. Always appreciate your perspective and pragmatism.
Bought the russet brown for my husband while shopping in SOHO NYC last fall. Wears it back home all over SF – probably 10 months out of 12 and was great last week in breezy Barcelona. The slightly reddish brown works with everything underneath. Hope this is helpful. Men should always shop with the people who love them….. 😉
“Still I think it should be around £100 less.”
When they did their website update recently they upped the price on a lot of their products by £75. It’s definitely made it a lot harder for me to justify buying it, even as a special thing.
Hi Aaron, I totally agree. It’s a shame as I really like Drake’s clothes and felt them a “relatively affordable luxury”. I suppose it does make the purchase a bit more considered. I expect their sourcing and logistics costs have risen and perhaps they have been holding off on price rises, so now needed a substantial rise to restore margins, but without knowing the background, it feels some pricing is a bit arbitrary.
That’s said I still am liking the cord jacket!
I agree, I used to buy Drake’s fairly regularly but the prices have become extortionate IMO.
Hi Simon,
This corduroy looks like a really versatile piece, particularly, as you note, when there is no need for formal office attire. I guess it could be worn with jeans and chinos with equal success and as outerwear or under one of your wax jackets, for example.
However, I have been tempted by mid-grey herringbone or Price of Wales tweed on numerous occasions and struggled to think how I might use either except with jeans. You mention that you think it is the most versatile jacket so I wondered if you could comment on the variety of uses (or send me packing to a prior article if I have missed it).
Thanks,
Damian
Absolutely, mostly a herringbone, but it’s great with:
– Navy flannel or serge
– Dark brown flannel
– Olive flannel
– Beige wool twills
– Beige chinos
– Anything in cream
Thanks Simon.
I guess Navy corduroy trousers would also work and my ecru jeans.
I noticed you prefer the idea of herringbone to PoW – less formal and more versatile?
Yes I think so. Obviously how woolly the material is makes a difference as well – there’s Harris tweed herringbone and then there’s fine worsted, but as far as patterns go it’s usually a little more casual
Speaking of colour, that olive PS scarf looks terrific here together with the brown corduroy!
What kind of colours on a scarf would you say is going to be a good match for the PS Donegal overcoat in brown?
Cheers
Thanks, absolutely.
For the brown Donegal, mostly muted cold colours, eg
– black
– cream
– grey light or dark
– beige
– very dark navy
– very dark olive
– a pale yellow or perhaps orange
Thanks!
I agree regarding the trousers – found them a bit too low in the rise, but I like the design. And, even though the waist fit, it still felt tight – perhaps the cord itself being quite heavy, or maybe a common feature of cord trousers?
I wouldn’t say it’s a common feature of cord, at least in my experience
A few weeks ago before my illness, I tried on a tweed Games Blazer in my usual size and it was huge on me. My suggestion would be drop at least one size, possibly two if a trim fit is desired.
Pleased that you agree that Drake’s prices are now OTT. The fit would have to be perfect to justify such a huge outlay on a casual jacket so I chose the Ivy jacket from John Simons at around half the price. Like the Games jacket, there is also a good choice of Ivy jackets Harris tweeds, corduroy or linen.
Really Gary? Interesting, I found the 40 was fine. Perhaps it’s the fact there is no shape in the body, it’s very up and down. The shoulders and chest were pretty true for me.
The John Simons ones are great, and I think fall into that point I made about unusual designs and materials – they are not so much, and one from a J Press or some Polo will be very similar. But great jackets and value.
Would you say there were many differences between the games jacket and the Ivy jacket overall?
Yes, quite a few – most of the things mentioned in the piece really, such as the material, the more chore-like aspects (no cuffs) and so on
Which do you prefer personally?
I prefer this Games Blazer, but largely because I would have something like the Ivy jacket made to measure
Did you take your usual chest size?
Yes, a 40
I found the same thing. It’s shame because I have nowhere left to go size wise. Unfortunately I am no longer a drakes customer purely based on the sizing.
I likewise cannot make anything work for me from Drakes due to the sizing.
Accessories/Footwear of course are fine.
It’s nearly $1200 in USD, which is absolutely crazy for a casual, unlined jacket.
Christoph,
In the UK it is still the geography teacher look.
I don’t like corduroy for jackets anyway. If I did, I am sure I could pick up an inexpensive, unstructured one that does not cost a fortune. However, it seems others do not baulk at the price.
Thinking them of more as outerwear than a unstructured, casual form makes me like them more and makes me see more of a space for them in my wardrobe. I’ve seen and appreciated many pictures of them but seeing you put it in words like that just made it click.
Re made-to-measure for starting out, I think an article, maybe by a guest writer, on more ‘budget’ (£500-£1000 range?) MTM options for those looking to get into tailoring more. So many other sites are American and only give only American options.
Thanks Aaron. Yes, I can see that would be really useful. I’ve found historically that that part of the MTM market is large and changes quickly, which makes it hard for me to cover it in any useful way. But it would be good to find one or two that were more reliable and I could recommend. To be honest, if it’s your style or you get a decent salesperson, Suit Supply is very good in that segment.
That makes sense. I think even an outlying view of what’s available, quality of some of them (e.g. I know Moss Bros have MTM but I cannot find people’s experience of it, no idea if it is value for money etc). I’m considering SuitSupply but all the cloths seem so lightweight, and a lot of people have said they have a tendency for trousers to be too short and too slim. I guess that’s the price you pay for budget though.
There definitely is that tendency Aaron, yes, that’s their biggest issue. It’s not necessarily a question of budget, more just that that’s their style. Eg go to Cordings and you’ll get the opposite style, but they’re equally good value for money.
To be honest I’d rather not do an overview of lots of brands without much knowledge of them or time to inquire into them, as I really don’t think that’s helpful. The site has been built on delivering better quality than that, if you know what I mean
Suit supply never appealed to me for those reasons… hovever spier mackay seems better… at least couple pieces a season seems decent… contemporary trousers doesnt seem too skinny, last year got decent gunclub harris tweed, this year grey herringbone harris tweed and 8 vale dark brown corduroy. Heavy minnis flannel suit/trousers also was available this season.
Jackets are slim, so i had to size up and take 2″ off the sleeves, so still not perfect but id say a big step up from cheaper ralph lauren/hackett and the likes…
That’s the look most of your readers, I would presume, wear most comfortably and most often on weekends .
You’ve nailed it very well with the jeans and scarf .
There’s been rather a lot of cord this year and very often it’s a cord suit. I think that’s just too much texture.
More like this please.
I definitely think that this (jacket as outerwear) is the way that tailoring will remain relevant we naturally evolve from chore coats and work wear into a slightly smarter style.
It’s the home many have found for heavy tweed or cord . I find them so useful and easy to smarten up with scarfs, hats etc or dress down and equally at home with derbies or work boots.
Great look with the scarfs. If this is the size 40 then the back length is only 28.9 inches – don’t you find that a little short Simon?
I think mine’s a cm or two longer than that, and yes ideally I’d like another 2cm definitely, so it’s a good 30 inches. But that’s always going to be an issue with RTW when it’s not really tailoring. And being more of a chore look helps, as they would usually be shorter
I’d sworn off unstructured jackets after acquiring and dispensing with several that were rather flimsy (and very #menswear). My mind was changed when J. Mueser made me one of their unstructured Campania jackets in a heavy patchwork cord, whose heft provided a drape and structure of its own. Now I think it’s imperative for an unstructured make to balance that with substantial material.
Im curious Simon, did Drake’s say anything about whether the sleeves of this model can be let down? I’ve always been keen on it but assumed not; and I don’t believe they are offered MTO.
You mean lengthened? No they can’t be, there’s no inlay in there really ( the sleeve is unlined so you can see). It’s one more way it’s more akin to a RTW chore, where sizing is often an issue
I’ve been waiting to see you cover Drake’s jackets for a while, thank you! I’m not sure if I’m a particular fan of this one, as you mentioned it feels quite expensive for what it is. It’s very close to being a chore coat with a few nudges towards a tailored jacket, particularly in the photos where you have the lapels covered with a scarf. It doesn’t really seem worth it. Their Mark 7’s look a lot more appealing.
It certainly is a versatile jacket, even though the brown is to warm/rich for my taste.
However, the price seems a little stiff. While I have a similar Boglioli jacket, somewhat more slim fit, that comes with a similar price tag, I find – at least on the continent – that you can buy such jackets on YOOX on 50%ish sale, while this never seems to be the case with Drake’s.
Totally agree on the paying the Drakes premium for more thing’s unique to them, and typically only during their sales or second hand. Otherwise it’s out my league. They do a nice job though with their offerings and in a way, I just like getting fresh ideas from their looks. Take some leave some.
It’s a beautiful color. I belive the fabric is Brisbane Moss 3101X. But this midbrown color is unfortunately not on their website and not on their swatch card. Maybe it’s custom only for Drake’s.
This is a piece I change my mind about a lot. I like a chore jacket and in many ways the games blazer is a step up in terms of the style and fit. But I still can’t find it in myself to buy cord. I just can’t see the gap in my wardrobe and I fear the dreaded “geography teacher” look!
I think how you wear it would deal with that kind of association a lot, Charles. Wear it with a T-shirt and jeans, and I don’t think it will feel like that. Wear it with brighter colours a la Drake’s, or perhaps more western pieces like a sawtooth denim shirt.
I feel like any good dresser/reader should be able to take a piece like this and make it more their own, and change the style in the direction they want. Often men get a little too hung up on individual pieces, and think too little about the overall style perhaps.
This is a great response Simon; it’s the execution of the whole rather than any single piece. You’ve said it before and doubtless you’ll say it again!
A term I’ve heard to describe these jackets is “chore blazer”, which is perhaps a bit more specific than simply an unstructured jacket. It is like like a jacket in that is has the lapel and the curved opening at the bottom, but the fact that it is unstructured, has patch pockets, a higher button stance, and can be buttoned up to (or close to) the collar all bring it closer to a chore coat.
Something that is equally casual but of a distinct aesthetic would be a knit jacket, which is closer to a cardigan but with distinct lapels.
I can confirm that one of these jackets in a grey wool is quite versatile (even living in a very casual Ameican suburb) having worn one for two years now. I’m curious though, Simon, where have you mentioned the versatility of such a jacket before?
I talked about it largely as part of other articles Ross – eg this one on top five jackets, this one on my Anthology suit review, here and here on outfits wearing that jacket
A nice jacket. Your description has me thinking about a blazer/ jacket that I found while thrifting. It is branded as Armani Jeans. It is oversized, slightly long in the length of the body. It is half lined, natural shoulder and pockets with flaps. A heavy woven fabric of some kind, unlike Harris Tweed. I purchased it because I can easily wear a Shetland with it. I can put my hands in the jacket pockets if I want to. I can wear it with chinos or jeans. Really versatile. I can wear it most anywhere I routinely would wear a jacket. It seems to work well when the temps are around 45 and higher. I can wear the collar up and button up all three buttons at the same time if it gets windy and cold. Kind of an unusual find for me. 65 Percent wool and 35percent rayon.
Would you wear a with (a relaxed) tie?
I wouldn’t, no. These days with a tie I’d want a more tailored jacket or, perhaps, no jacket at all, say a navy knit tie with a blue oxford and the sleeves rolled up.
You’re my favourite blogger Simon!
Mid-brown cord jacket – check. Light blue Levis – check. I’ve got both, but I didn’t think to wear them together. I’ll give your look a try.
I have a heavy cotton beige version I bought a few years back. I’ve bought both jacket and trousers but I rarely used them together. Given how casual the jacket is, the suit looks a bit unusual, almost as if it were a suit with a chore jacket. It’s somewhat difficult to wear. Perhaps this is all in my mind of course.
I can see that Noel – perhaps in a different, maybe darker colour like here would be easier?
Yes, indeed, a darker colour like your chore ‘suit’ works better. It stands out less and the darker colour makes it looks a tad more formal and less out of place even if it’s still an unusual combination.
Curious observation. I’m on the opposite end, I wear separates daily to the office, and the only suit I have is a beige cotton unstructured suit from Boglioli, which I had purchased in a sale almost exclusively for the jacket (the trousers are a bit too low-rise for my taste). And yet, I have found I like wearing it as a suit occasionally *precisely* because it’s such a casual material, while a stark grey or navy suit would feel a bit dull and boring to me.
Perhaps related to this, I don’t generally wear ties, so I guess the only suits I can see myself wearing are those casual enough that don’t look incomplete without one.
That doesn’t necessarily mean I’d wear this jacket as a suit though, I probably wouldn’t precisely because of the many “chore” features which might make it seem you are wearing a “trouser+outerwear suit” (quite strange!). I don’t think changing the colours to smarter ones would change that though.
I do like the blazers rich colour and think it works well with sweatshirt and scarf, but too much a clash with the jeans. Conversely, to my eye, the outfit without the blazer all works as well. I guess I’d swap the jeans for something else.
I for myself find it hard to get the appeal of this no-man’s-land between tailoring and casual wear (in Austria we say „it’s not meat and not fish“ so basically nobody can say.) First the look is not for me, and second after Monday to Friday in tailoring I embrace the clearly different look and feel of casual wear. It is relaxing and comforting.
Good morning…simon you gave me an excellent idea..yesterday in stead of wearing a suit for church..i worn a cord with a combination of a winchester shirt..tie vest.. thank you and enjoy the week..peace and cheers…
I stepped into a shop on Saville row for the first time and was drawn to this exact jacket. Its been 6 days and it’s still on my mind. I don’t earn very much so any tips on justifying the purchase to myself would be much appreciated.
The corn colour seems remarkably versatile (for such a bold colour) and I truly cannot think where to find or even how to make something quite like it.
We, your readers, would like more Drake’s reviews. There brushed Shetlands for instance. Please consider doing more of this kind of thing in the future.
Thanks Paul, noted. We did talk about the shetlands briefly in the A/W Top 10 piece here
Interesting color (colour)/fabric as it seems to be almost a dark chocolate tone in photos 2 and 5, yet more of a lighter, nearly honey tone in numbers 3 and 6.
I love the idea of these casually tailored jackets. Not many options in the market for something like it at this quality. I did try one of these and I found the hip pockets a bit too far back on the hip which felt awkward placing my hands inside them. I also thought the collar didn’t hug the neck very tightly and the lapels wanted to stay open and not lay flat across the chest. I realize exact fit is not paramount with kind of garment but it bugged me enough from pulling the trigger.
I think the points about hugging the neck and the lapels’ position are probably inevitable with something this unstructured in a thick cloth. Better to compare it to a chore jacket than to a tailored one
Hi Simon, I am debating between commissioning a dark brown corduroy suit or a grey herringbone tweed suit. Which one do you think is more versatile/would you go for? Thanks.
Both sound like good smart/casual choices Andreas. I think it mostly depends on which would fit more with your style. Also, as commented before, tweed trousers are tricky so you may get less use out of those than the brown cord ones
last year I was really looking at brown double breasted corduroy one. it even was on sale for 500£. didn’t buy because it has a ventless back and when I went to drakes store, they didn’t have any in my size to try on. after reading this, went to store again, and I’m sold. thinking about it as a blazer, not really. but thinking about it as a 2 in 1 it’s pretty great. pop the collar up and it’s a chore, pop the collar down and it’s a casual jacket. love the olive, mid and dark brown. not sure about navy and tweed. I can never get around super casual material in smart colours. I’m definitely not paying 800£ for it, but if I can get one for 500£ish, I’ll do my best to snag one
one thing I was really curious about.. you wrote that you made a mistake with your William crabtree jacket because it’s too bright and yellow… here you say you’re tempted by corn colour. drakes corn is BRIGHT.
I know, but that’s kind of the point Martins – the difference between one shade and the other in a swatch book is surprisingly large when it comes to colours like this (not navy, greys). And while we can easily make mistakes in bespoke commissions, Drake’s nails it – a big advantage of a good designer
Hi Simon, I’m looking to get a Rubato crewneck and I like the fawn, but I’m doubtful what chino colours it pairs well with. I guess beige is too close, but do you think olive (light or dark) or khaki would work well? The stone colour would be more versatile I guess? Thanks for your advice!
Stone or fawn would both be difficult with trousers in similar colours, yes. But they’d both be good with denim, brown, olive, dark greys and so on
Hi Simon,
Any view on the newer Drake’s/ALD Games Blazer collab particularly in the relatively lighter cloth offering.
No, sorry Chip, I haven’t tried them
Great review! Thanks for the review of this jacket. I’ve been fascinated by the Drake’s Games suit offerings for a few years now, but have yet to buy one because of the price. I am a work-from home professional artist, and don’t get many chances to wear tailoring for work, but I enjoy dressing up more on the weekends. However, I think the Games suits might be a good choice, specifically for the casualness you mention here and will continue saving up to purchase something from this line in the near future.
While their corduroy Games looks amazing, I live in the Southern US and feel as though buying one in one of their twill or cotton/linen varieties might be a more versatile choice to wear throughout the year.
I would like to second the call here for more reviews on Drakes’ off-the rack offerings, especially their suits, if you get the chance.
OK thanks Will, noted
Hi Simon, if I already own a navy 11oz tweed bespoke Neapolitan jacket, do you think the navy 14oz Harris tweed Mk.VII games blazer could be worn differently, which could make it a good investment?
Many thanks,
Jack
It would certainly be a different style Jack, yes. Whether it’s the right choice for you depends a lot on how much you wear navy though, and how many other things you already have in your wardrobe
I certainly enjoy wearing navy as it goes with almost everything so well. But navy seems pretty smart, even if it’s in tweed, so I am just concerned that I would not be able to take full advantage of the games blazer, i.e. casualness.
Ah I see. Yes that could certainly be an issue. I’d go for a more casual colour if that were your concern
Thanks, Simon.
Do you think this brown prince of wales checks blazer would work fine in an urban area such as London?
https://www.drakes.com/collections/blazers/products/brown-prince-of-wales-check-harris-tweed-games-blazer-mk-vii
It is kind of country in its colours, but depends what you wear it with. Eg a denim shirt and some white trousers and you’d look a lot less rural
I see. Thanks, Simon.
Thank you, for this review. I bought one of the corduroy jackets this week, and I agree with your observations. It is surprisingly versatile as a casual piece and as a smart casual jacket to pair with flannels. I also like being able to consider 3-way suits. I wear size 40 UK jacket, and 30-31 trousers; suits off the rack that don’t separate jackets and pants are a no go for me.. I would say however, that Drake’s sizing runs quite large. A 38 jacket at drakes is equivalent to a 40UK or IT 50 in many Italian designers.
Simon, any idea who makes something like this olive cord jacket?
No, sorry
Hi simon i like this style of slouchy unstructured jackets but drakes is way too expensive. Have you tried other brands which are of similar style like the games jackets? I think ralph lauren looks nice but havent tried it
I wouldn’t say similar style Shem, because I think that’s the whole point of what I say here – that style is what drakes is doing differently.
However, if you just want an unstructured jacket, then yes RL does some and so do John Simons
Hi simon thanks i just found out about john simmons thanks to you and it looks great. Have you trird their ivy shirts and jacket? Amy reviews coming? They seem to sell great products st reasonable prices
They do. The finish is a little simple, not at the level of some of the things we cover, but it is a good price. You get what you pay for.
I’m not planning any reviews currently, no. I don’t really cover many RTW jackets like that, and the shirts are nice but I like a slightly higher collar and greater roll, as on the PS ones or other Italian ones
Hi simon if i like the style of these unstructered jackets like drakes and polo, does it make sense to get one done by a tailor given that one can choose fabrics? Or is it that tailors can never quite make th3se jackets?
They won’t be able to make something like this Drake’s really. I think what you really need is an MTM from a brand that does a style like that which you like
Hi simon what do you think about a jacket like this https://us.drakes.com/en-sg/products/olive-heavy-cotton-twill-games-blazer-mk-i
To be worn with casual shirts /tees and chinos/denim below?
Looks nice Shem, good colour and the material and cut will be the same in approach as my cord: heavier, coarser, more casual
Hi SImon, I like the design and philosophy of the games blazers but I think it is very expensive for what it is. I’m wondering, if I do a mto unstructered jacket with a brand (e.g. anthology) in a cotton fabric – would the end product be quite similar to the games jackets or is it a completely different beast?
It would be different Shem. Perhaps still nice, but not the same thing. That’s kind of my point – you’re paying for design, which Drake’s is often very good at, but I can see might still not be worth the price
I’ve been dithering between a chore coat, a games blazer, and a regular corduroy blazer at a lower price-point.
So I Googled “drakes games blazer review” and let me tell you that your essay is exactly what I was looking for, thank you for such an informative piece.
After tailoring, the games blazer will be twice what I wanted to spend, but it’s something I’ll only have to buy once, and I’ll have it forever.
Thank you again, this is a terrific website.
Pleasure Dave. Do always leave any questions you have, anywhere on the site, and I’ll always be happy to help
Hi simon hoe do you clean the games blazer? Do uou think it is hand washable?
I wouldn’t, I’d dry clean but also it’s fairly tough so I’d spot clean with a wet cloth too
Thanks simon, on that note im actually in the market for an olive casual cotton blazer (i like drakes games but want something more value for money). I think anthology can do quite a nice style (see picture) and is axtually good value especially when i can get measured in taipiei/hongkong. However i also saw a pretty cool unstructured and unlined one from the decorum
https://shop.thedecorumbkk.com/products/jackford-olive-pensatore-jacket
The decorum will certainly be cheaper (likely half the price given ita rtw and not canvassed) but wanted to get your opinion on which one should go for or considerations in mkaing the final call. Am a little torn between thee two to be honest
Regards
Shem
The Anthology one will be quite different, being a tailored jacket. It will be sharper and not as casual.
The Decorum looks like a more straightforward chore jacket, but the colour of that (and the anthology) are really nice.
Hello Simon, Would the navy herringbone make a good casual/Ivy style jacket?
Yes I think so, as long as by Ivy you’re not thinking of something which is remotely a tailored jacket
Hi, Simon!
I hope I find you well.
I
ve got a question. Im a huge fan of the grey herringbone harris tweed games blazer by Drake’s, but it`s out of my price range. Can you recommend me another unstructured herrinbone blazer or a brand that is less expensive and can be worn with jeans?Best regards,
Martin
Hi Martin,
There aren’t many good ones around, and of course none exactly like the games blazer. But have a look at the jackets from John Simons perhaps
Hey simon, I have been meaning to get the drake’s games jackets for a while now but the more I think/look at it, the more I feel it is not as versatile as it may look. I think it looks good with a T-shirt/crew neck but may not look as good with a proper shirt under. Is that the case? If so, can I say a proper softly tailored jacket may be more versatile given it can accomodate both t-shirts/shirts under?
I think either could work with either Shem, personally. The games jackets are more casual, but I think they can work with a shirt as well, it’s just not as neat. Particularly if the collar of the games jacket is up, so you’re not so concerned about a neat fit around the collar against the shirt collar
Hi Simon,
Just to chime in on the overall outfit here, especially re. the scarf. I’ve always seen scarves as “scene stealers” when they are part of an outfit. So much so, that outfits should really be very carefully considered when trying them on, if a scarf is desired — in other words, observe the outfit sans scarf and then with one and really notice what happens.
If I donned this outfit, I’d ditch the scarf, and wear a heavy plaid shirt beneath the corduroy for just enough pattern in the outfit.
Maybe, this would be more New England, USA and less Olde England 🙂
Of course, there are outfit cliches that occur here. The plaid shirt beneath a corduroy jacket may be one. I do feel that scarves are a major cliche of the men’s fashion world over the past several years. So many of your outfits are so deeply, beautifully rooted in tradition, fabric tradition, tailoring tradition, etc., and then those dang flouncy scarves move in. They smudge up a nice outfit as would donning some tacky oversized digital watch! Ha, ha!
Thanks for hearing me out on this.
Blimey, I’m pretty surprised you’d have such a strong view on such a standard and practical piece of menswear Leif. Personally, I think men don’t wear enough scarves. They’re such an easy way for men to add a bit of colour and interest, and experiment, and also to add something relaxed and easy too
Believe me, I’m not opposed to expressiveness — Liberty of London, for instance, made some very risky-patterned neckties in the ’70s. They were risky, but they worked. Patterns, color, yes there’s not enough of it in menswear these days, or there’s not enough being worn by men to be more precise. Your Indian blanket coat is dramatic, but it’s sharp, it works. I’m sure it gets many second looks, as it should, but it’s not a show off item, it’s not flamboyant.
But scarves…
I’ll say something about them, and understand I’m not accusing you of what I’m about to say, because I admire your overall taste…
scarves to me say “look at me everybody! look what a fashionable man I am!”
(Also, if they’re worn beneath the jacket collar, they pop the collar back, causing the jacket to shift away from your neck and shoulders.)
Hey Leif,
Interesting, thanks. I’m just surprised you would have that reaction, I’ve never heard it before. If it was a loud or boldly patterned scarf, sure, but not something in a fairly dark plain colour. My most worn one is our Arran charcoal! I don’t think anyone is thinking that’s ‘look at me’.
I wouldn’t wear them beneath a tailored jacket by the way, but this is different. It’s not tailored and doesn’t really fit in that way. It’s more of a short coat in function
Hi Simon,
after a long time of thinking about it, I bought the Games blazer in corduroy. I’ve been looking for a corduroy jacket for years, but most of them were too fitted for the look I wanted.
I’m very happy with it. It has a good vibe with a mix of modern, romantic (at least my associations with corduroy), classic and all without looking anachronistic.
Thanks for the article.
The only thing I find massively annoying about Drake’s (and some other UK brands) is that they add 20% to the UK price for orders from the EU. Others manage to keep the price more or less the same as the UK price. For me, it was worth it for the Games Blazer, but for everything else it will probably mean that I rarely order from Drake’s (and others like Bryceland’s). A shame as I really like their products.
Good to hear Jeldrik, and interesting on the price.
Hi Simon,
Great review! I own a PoW tweed game blazer. You’re right, it is certainly more an outerwear than a sport coat. However, even if it might be a faux-pas, I love to wear it with tailored trousers, OCBD and smart shoes. It’s not too warm to be worn inside in Fall/Winter during office meetings for example…
Best
Sounds nice Nicholas, love to see that some time