Anatomy of a machine washable blazer

Machine Washable Blazer Fabrics

Arguably the most important aspect of a machine washable blazer - or a washable sport coat, same thing - is the fabric.

Bluffworks develops highly specialized performance fabrics that conceal technology under a natural vibe that is right for each product. Our Hopsack blazer looks like Linen, our Gramercy looks like wool, etc.

This differs from traditional blazers that are traditionally made from wool that looks great to start but doesn’t do well in the wash. Or, other modern “travel blazers” that use technical fabrics that are too shiny, synthetic or athletic to look refined. Priority number 1 is for your blazer to look and feel like a high-end blazer.

This isn’t easy. Our product development process typically results in a few dramatic crash-and-burns as we hunt for materials that breathe, wick, stretch and go in the wash, all while not being too shiny, noisy, or synthetic to be a proper blazer.

To validate our products meet standards we consider four testing perspectives:

1. Manufacturer specifications that includes their testing
2. Third-party lab testing
3. Wash panel testing
4. Full garment wash and wear testing for months on end.

Our four blazer fabrics - the Hopsack, the Gramercy, the Presidio, and the Telex - have all stood up to the rigorous lives of thousands of our customers, proving that both their fabric and construction can stand up to being washed while still looking great.

Soft things aren’t typically durable, and durable things aren’t beautiful. Except for our blazers. 

How Our Machine Washable Blazers Are Constructed

The second consideration for putting a garment through the washing machine is its construction.

Traditional blazers are lined with horsehair canvas in the body and use cotton batting shoulder pads to create a stiff, broad shoulder appearance. This is what makes them so heavy and hot to wear, and pucker in the wash.

We too need to add body to your blazer to give it stature. So we use stretch fusible - an imperceptible stiffening layer applied to the fabric - that can provide structure while handling a wash. (There is also fusible in every pair of pants you’ve ever owned, as stiffness of a waistband comes from more than just multiple layers of fabric.)

In addition, we source technical linings that are quick drying, anti-microbial, breathable and specifically made to go in the washing machine.

• One of our blazers is fully linked (The Presidio)
• One of our blazers is lined in the body, but not sleeves (The Gramercy)
• And two of our Blazers (The Telex and Hopsack) are butterfly lined, with minimal body lining and none in the sleeves.
  

The result is blazers whose relationship with the washing machine is no accident.

Our Line of Travel Blazers and Suits

Gramercy blazer fabric:
Wool-like appearance that is ultra-soft.

Gramercy blazer construction:
Partially lined with perforated lining (body, not sleeves) to provide structure alongside with four season performance

Gramercy blazer washability:
100%. Comes out of the washing machine spin cycle nearly dry, so tumble dry low is all it needs.

The Gramercy works for all occasions in all seasons. And is always ready straight out of your travel bag… or your washing machine.

Our Most Formal Machine Washable Blazer

When you need to walk into an important meeting right off a flight. Or, attend a formal event after a week of travel, wearing only what you can carry in your bag, the Presidio excels.

The fabric is beautiful, like a formal Italian wool suit, but with the added confidence that it won’t wrinkle. Guys get married in it all the time.

Presidio blazer fabric:
Wool-like appearance that is the most formal in our line.

Presidio blazer construction:
Fully lined with lightweight stretch lining, but cool year round.

Presidio blazer washability:
100%. It feels like it defies reality coming out of the wash as good as it does.

We suggest you put it to the test. Take a leap and say “yes” to that destination wedding. Fly with the Presidio in your carry-on bag for two weeks, and pull it out for the big day.

Our Most Casual and Lightweight Machine Washable Blazer and Sport Coat

Our most casual blazer is our linen-like Hopsack blazer. Like linen, it excels in high temperatures but with the key differences that it doesn’t wrinkle (and it goes in the wash).

The Hopsack is a hero on trips like that of my friend Ben, who as a diplomat in West Africa would take three flights and an armored car straight to an official meeting in a conference room with no air-conditioning.

How do you do that and look good? You wear the Hopsack.

Hopsack blazer fabric:
Linen-like appearance for high temperature engagements. The fabric is so light you can see through it when held up to the light.

Hopsack blazer construction:
Meant to be the lightest, coolest and most packable, the Hopsack employs a butterfly lining in the back and unlined sleeves to be our most minimalist blazer.

Hopsack blazer washability:
100%. It's so light, a very short wash and dry cycle will do.

A Featherweight Minimalist Blazer

What is the lightest you could reasonably make a blazer? We know the answer, and it is 1lb. Because we’ve done it. Meet the Telex, our featherweight blazer that feels free to pack. No hassle, no extra weight. Just always there.

This project was a challenge, as when fabrics get light they are more prone to wrinkling and looking drapey.

The Telex is neither. We applied a matte-finish ripstop fabric that has just enough body and a casual look while hitting performance on every mark.

I wore it for 10 days across Morocco… etc.

Telex blazer fabric:
Our most technical blazer with 4-way stretch durable ripstop fabric treated with C0 DWR water repellency.

Telex blazer construction:
At just 14oz, it is the coolest, lightest, most packable blazer we’ve ever seen. Its seven pockets, including two zippered security pockets, make this half-lined casual blazer both functional and light.

Telex blazer washability:
100%. It feels like it defies reality coming out of the wash as good as it does.

The Telex is the modern machine washable sport coat.

You can’t buy a blazer from Bluffworks that isn’t ready for adventure. You’ll feel better every time you decide to wear one.

If you need help choosing the right one, reach out to us at team@bluffworks.com. We’d love to chat.

Washing Our Blazers

The moment of truth -- this is what will happen when you wash your blazer.

STEP 1: Turn it inside out. We do as a cautionary measure in the event your blazer gets jammed between the moving parts of the washing machine. But, we have washed our blazers many times without doing it too.

Now, toss it in. Duh, you know this step. But we mention it because it might still feel weird.

STEP 2: Machine wash using the temperature setting recommended for each garment. A more gentle setting like permanent press is typically a good idea.

• Hopsack: Machine wash cold or warm
• Gramercy: Machine wash cold or warm
• Presidio: Machine wash cold.

One of the most important steps is to remove your blazer promptly from the wash. Leaving it in the machine can create wrinkles. If you forget and leave it too long, just wash it again.

STEP 3: Put in the dryer. For all blazers, tumble dry low.

Remove promptly from the dryer. We like to take it out when it’s still a touch damp, allowing the rest to air dry.

That’s it.

Washing our blazer while traveling is no problem.

Washing our blazer while traveling is no problem.

You could wash it at a laundromat, which is a good choice because you can control the process, following the instructions just like at home. But, it's best to err on the side of caution and use lower temperatures for washing and drying as commercial machines can be hotter than those at home.

Sending your blazer out to a hotel laundry or other service can be convenient, but may also be risky as they typically wash and dry their items on fish-fry, maximum heat that will shorten your blazer’s life.

You can hand spot it if your blazer suffers a stain. Use a dry cloth to absorb the stain and then a warm and damp one with a little soap to lift it.

We don't recommend dry cleaning your blazer due to variation in the process and the same high heat issues as above.

Closing

Of all the technology we trust in our lives (like packing into a metal tube to fly across the world) washing your blazer should not be a big concern.

Our goal is to help you feel great whether you’re walking down the street or walking down the aisle.

We know the best blazer will always be machine washable. We’d love to hear from you if you need help finding the right one.