Blue blazer

The Blazer

The blazer has been a ubiquitous element of Ivy style for over a century. It is a jacket that was first worn in 1825 by members of the St. John’s College rowing club at Cambridge University in England. Named because it was made of blazing red cloth, the blazer was soon worn by college athletes in other sports throughout the 19th century in England, and later in the United States.

By the late 1800s, blazers were made of striped flannel or solid woolens, chiefly navy blue. The latter were ornamented with crests. Before World War II, the crested blazer moved beyond the athletic arena to become a staple of sportswear and Ivy style.