Our Gramercy Blazer was a game-changer for Bluffworks — first because it raised $342,185 on Kickstarter at a crucial moment for the company, but also because it was a key addition to my wardrobe, and that of thousands of guys.
The Gramercy is a fantastic blazer, and although it's highly versatile, I imagined a few more specialized blazers that didn't exist.
First, I wanted to tackle linen, to create a refined summer weight piece that thrives in high heat. After that, I needed a no-holds-barred suit built for the most formal occasion. And lastly, we thought it might be nice to produce the least intrusive blazer possible — an ultra-packable companion that weighs just 14oz.
For many of our customers now the question is, which one to choose?
In this post, we’ll look at the fabrics, designs, and pockets of our four men’s blazers: Gramercy, Presidio, Hopsack, and Telex.
It's my frustration with the status quo that drives our product development. Everything we make is packable, wrinkle-resistant, machine washable, full of pockets, and more. But, there is some nuance to which blazer or suit might be best for you. Hopefully, this guide will help you find your way.
The Fabrics
We name our products after the fabric used, so the Gramercy Blazer and the Gramercy Pants share the same name because they are suit separates of the same material. Similarly, our Presidio fabric also comes in formal attire blazer and pants. The Hopsack Blazer and Telex Tech Blazer are the only two that were designed as standalone sport coats, that are meant to be paired with any of our more casual pants.
When we’re developing a new product, fabric is our focus. Here’s what all four have in common: they’re machine washable and wrinkle resistant. Because no one wants to hassle with dry cleaning (or pay for it), and given wrinkles rarely improve an outfit, every blazer we make looks great out of the washing machine or your travel bag.
Gramercy came first because a wool replacement for an everyday casual blazer was a pressing need. It took us three years to iron out the details (and collect all of our best wrinkle puns). After that, we moved on to something better than linen, followed by an ultra-formal option, and then a technical powerhouse. Here’s how the four compare:
Gramercy
Presidio
Hopsack
Telex
Style
Business casual
Formal
Smart casual
Smart casual
Texture
Soft, wool-like
Drapes like tropical wool
Linen-like open weave
Ultra- lightweight, technical stretch fabric
Body lining
Lined
Lined
Partial Lining
Partial Lining
Sleeve lining
Unlined
Lined
Unlined
Unlined
Season
Cool / year round
Year round
Warm weather
Warm weather
Product weight
Lightweight
Lightweight
Ultra lightweight
Ultra- lightweight
Fabric weight
5.99 oz per yard
5.90 oz per yard
5.00 oz per yard
4.25 oz. per yard
The Designs
Design follows fabric --
TheGramercyis a business blazer, with a double vent and perforated back lining.
The formal Presidio was designed as a tailored suit, with a felt collar for a smooth fit at the neck, single vent, and is fully lined yet comfortable in warm weather, thanks to it's breathable fabric.
Once we had the better-than-linen Hopsack fabric, we made it into an unstructured blazer with a partial lining. The sleeve is slightly curved in a traditional style, and it features a single back vent.
The better-than-linen fabric was our lightweight pride and joy, until we scored the ultra-lightweight Telex fabric with breathable 4-way stretch. The partially lined interior and non-toxic C0 DWR technology makes this blazer the lightest and most technical of the bunch.
All four blazers are available in the following fits and sizes:
Fits: Classic and Slim
Chest sizes: 36-48
Lengths: Short, Regular, and Long
Note: our Short length is 1.5” (3.8 cm) shorter in the arms and body than the Regular Length, and the Long is 1.5” (3.8 cm) longer in the arms and body. More info and illustrations available in our Fit Guide.
The Pockets
Pockets are a priority in all our products, both for everyday carry as well as travel security when we’re on the road.
All our blazers have 3 exterior pockets: a classic welt pocket on the left chest, and two hip pockets — though the design varies a bit. Hopsack has open patch pockets, Gramercy and Presidio have flap pockets, and the Telex hip pockets are welts.
The Gramercy has the most pockets: 10 total, with 7 interior pockets and several designed for security — like a zippered pocket within the back vent (for tickets or money), or the hidden pocket within the left patch pocket.
The Presidio has 8 pockets — the 5 interior pockets offer a range of options, like a small ticket pocket, a buttoned pocket, and a zippered pocket.
The Hopsack’s lightweight fabric and minimal lining means it supports fewer pockets — still a total of 7 pockets, with 4 on the inside of the jacket.
The Telex, similar to Hopsack, has 7 pockets — 4 interior, offering a range of options including security zippered pockets and an open patch pocket for quick stashing.
Note: Full pocket details and illustrations are available in the “Details” tab of each product page.
Ways to Wear Them
The Gramercy and Presidio can obviously pair with their matching suit pants. However, the Gramercy can also easily be worn with chinos or jeans. It’s my go-to for business casual, while the Presidio is almost exclusively my boardroom and wedding-ready suit that’s great in a range of temperatures.
Because the Hopsack and Telex are standalone separates, they are intended to coordinate with several styles of pants. The Hopsack is unbelievably lightweight, while the Telex feels like wearing a feather on my back. People are impressed at how quickly the wrinkles fall out of both of them.
We suggest choosing the Hopsack for a traditional look with chinos, and pairing the Telex with our Envoy pants for a modern, technical alternative.
You Can't Go Wrong
Our four blazers are modern improvements that are machine washable, packable, cool to wear and more.
Here's the thing... when I travel, I often need a blazer or suit for a special occasion, but not for the entire trip. There is no way I am willing to drag a garment bag. Nor do I want to pay for dry cleaning back home.
That's why our blazers are here. To not wrinkle, not be hot, and never require you to organize your life or travels around them.
I hope they simplify your wardrobe and bring confidence and good looks to your life as much as they’ve enhanced mine.
