For years, the quest for the perfect Travel Blazer has been an ongoing adventure. This search, spanning decades, has involved various brands, evolving styles, and the rise of online shopping. The world of travel itself has shifted, with dress codes becoming more relaxed in some areas while remaining formal in others. Interestingly, this journey began long before the internet era, yet it was the internet that ultimately led to the discovery of a travel blazer suitable for virtually any dining scenario and beyond.
In the early days of our travel gear exploration, LL Bean was a prominent name. Similar to how Sears once dominated the market with its vast selection and satisfaction guarantee, LL Bean, alongside Williams & Sonoma, defined our purchasing landscape. Before the internet’s boom, LL Bean thrived on mail order, becoming a go-to for household items and, importantly for us, travel gear. As our family began to travel more, LL Bean became the primary source for luggage and the starting point of our fascination with travel equipment. This is where the LL Bean Travel Blazer entered the picture. Constructed from polyester, this blazer was incredibly durable – seemingly capable of surviving anything unscathed, including an atomic blast, without a single wrinkle. However, its resilience came at a cost: breathability. Wearing it felt akin to walking around in a sauna. Despite its lack of comfort and style, it was a durable option for trips where formality was secondary. Eventually, after years of service, it was donated to veterans.
The ScottEvest travel vest emerged as a solution when the decision was made to travel exclusively with carry-on luggage. After a remarkable streak of never losing checked baggage, two consecutive trips resulted in lost luggage upon arrival.
See our post: Lost Luggage: Getting There Is Half The Fun, Sometimes for more on the woes of travel mishaps.
With its numerous pockets, the ScottEvest efficiently carried a significant amount of items, proving useful for several years. However, zipper failures became a recurring issue. After going through multiple vests and warranty periods, the ScottEvest was eventually replaced by a fit-under-the-seat backpack, which, despite the legroom sacrifice, proved to be a more practical choice. While the ScottEvest served well on flights and excursions with various travel companies and cruise lines, the need for business or formal attire still required packing a suit, sport coat, or tuxedo.
Learn more about our initial impressions in: Travel Gear Review: ScottEvest Travel Vest Has Blown My Mind.
Man wearing ScottEvest travel vest showcasing multiple pockets
Transitioning away from the ScottEvest, and now relying on a TUMI backpack, the need for appropriate evening wear for cruise ship dining rooms and upscale restaurants remained. For years, a Christian Dior suit, acquired when our children were young and continually tailored to adapt to changing styles and sizes, had been the go-to formal wear. However, the formality of a full suit began to feel increasingly cumbersome and unnecessary. Cruise line dress codes were becoming more relaxed, and airline baggage fees were escalating. The era of traveling as a family with numerous pieces of luggage was long gone. TravelSmith, a well-known travel apparel retailer, was initially considered as a source for a travel-friendly blazer, but this search proved brief.
For insights on efficient packing, see: Travel With Only Carry On Luggage: Here’s How.
TravelSmith lacked size availability, shipping times were lengthy, and style options were limited. While these factors might have been manageable in the past, the convenience of Amazon Prime had become too appealing. Amazon Prime, much like Sears in its heyday, had become the ultimate “we have everything” source. Thus, the search for a travel blazer shifted to Amazon.
Within minutes on Amazon Prime, a promising option appeared. The goal was to retire the Christian Dior suit entirely, replacing it with a versatile garment that offered the pocket utility of a travel vest but with the style suitable for any dining setting encountered while traveling. The Haggar Men’s Travel Stretch Slim Fit 2-Button Side Vent Solid Blazer seemed to fit the criteria. Upon arrival, it proved to be a good fit, except for the sleeve length, which was easily corrected with a minor alteration. The Haggar travel blazer performed as expected, but it had a couple of drawbacks. Firstly, it was dry clean only, which practically meant dry cleaning after each wear. Secondly, aesthetically, it didn’t quite meet the standards for all dining situations. While the Haggar blazer was a functional interim solution, the search for the perfect travel blazer continued. Despite these minor shortcomings, Amazon Prime remained the primary destination for online purchases due to its unparalleled convenience and selection.
Bluffworks Travel Blazer in a cafe setting
The Bluffworks Travel Blazer was a serendipitous discovery, found through a Kickstarter campaign a few years prior. During a period of fascination with Kickstarter, the story of Stefan Loble, the founder of Bluffworks, stood out. Loble, a regular office worker with a desire to break free from the corporate routine, embarked on a journey to create clothing that could seamlessly transition from daily work to travel adventures. This endeavor resulted in the Bluffworks Travel Blazer, which turned out to be the ideal travel companion.
“Whether it was sailing across the Atlantic, or hitchhiking in Egypt, I repeatedly bounced from the daily grind to adventure and back again, and wanted clothing that could keep pace and look good no matter what.” – Stefan Loble, Founder of Bluffworks.
The Bluffworks Travel Blazer embodies everything desired in travel apparel. Its features and benefits are numerous and significant:
- Ample Pockets, Thoughtfully Designed: The Bluffworks Travel Blazer features ten pockets, a practical number that avoids the overwhelming excess of the ScottEvest’s 26 pockets, which often led to the frustration of searching through too many compartments.
- Secure Zippered Storage: Crucially, it includes a zippered pocket, essential for safeguarding a passport, the most irreplaceable travel document.
- Hidden Security Pocket: A discreet pocket for cash and credit cards adds an extra layer of security, ensuring these valuables are always in a designated and safe place.
- Machine Washable Convenience: Despite initial skepticism about machine washing a blazer, especially after years of dry-cleaning delicate suits, the Bluffworks Travel Blazer is indeed machine washable. The fabric maintains a quality feel comparable to high-end materials.
- Durable Yet Lightweight: The “100% technical, breathable, mechanical stretch” fabric is both robust and comfortable. While technically polyester, it surpasses typical polyester garments in feel and performance.
- Breathable and Comfortable: Unlined sleeves and a perforated back lining significantly improve breathability, making it far superior to the hot and stuffy LL Bean model. This design also contributes to a more refined and stylish appearance.
- Packable and Versatile: Available in both ‘classic’ and ‘slim’ fits, owning both styles offers versatility for different occasions and packing needs. The blazer can be easily packed in a suitcase or backpack, maintaining its wrinkle-free appearance.
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The Bluffworks Travel Blazer combines the elegance of Christian Dior, the practicality of LL Bean, and the functionality of ScottEvest. Ordering online is straightforward, with an accurate fitting guide that simplifies size selection. While priced higher than some alternatives at $295, its superior features and durability justify the investment for those seeking the best in travel apparel. After extensive use, it has proven to be an exceptional travel blazer. Time will tell if it maintains this level of performance over the next decade, but initial impressions are overwhelmingly positive.
Bonus: Bluffworks demonstrates genuine engagement with its customer community online, adding to its appeal.
Potential Extra Bonus: Bluffworks also offers travel pants that complement the blazer, potentially creating a complete travel wardrobe solution.
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