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I’ve always liked wearing a blazer when I travel—not because I think I might get upgraded for looking so put-together (a persistent menswear fantasy that as far as I know has never actually happened), but because when you travel, a roomy blazer just makes practical sense. The pockets and ease-of-layering alone are worth it, but there’s also something reassuring about wearing a proper jacket amid the debasement of modern air travel. (And of course, it also harkens back to ever-inspirational 90s airport style.)
And even though I’d rather wear a blazer than fold it into my bag, with the right travel blazer, packing it down is no longer a gamble. The best ones look like normal tailoring, but are built from fabrics that bounce right back into shape, whether they’ve been crammed into an overhead bin, folded into a carry-on, or sandwiched into a middle seat on a red-eye. The trick, as always, is to keep things reasonably classic in cut, colour, and overall vibe. Get that right, and your travel blazer will work just as well with a crisp button-down and tailored trousers as it will with a T-shirt and jeans.
Below, I’ve mapped out two main routes to the ideal travel blazer. There’s the modern technical option: purpose-built with stretch, moisture-wicking fabrics, extra pockets, and a slightly futuristic vibe. And then the traditional route: classic silhouettes cut from resilient fabrics and weaves, like high-twist wool in hopsack, that naturally resist wrinkles. Whichever style you choose, I’ll see you up there.
The Best Travel Blazers, According to GQ
Buck Mason Cloudloom Cotton Wool Carry-On Jacket
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Uniqlo Airsense Houndstooth Blazer
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Drake’s The Travel Jacket
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Ralph Lauren Cashmere Blazer Cardigan
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Suitsupply Tailored Fit Havana Suit Jacket
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In This Shopping Guide
Best Travel Blazer Overall: Cloudloom Cotton Wool Carry-On Jacket
Buck Mason
Cloudloom Cotton Wool Carry-On Jacket
Pros
- Unbeatable price + design combination
- Perfectly proportioned
- Matching pants are an option
Cons
- Low stock at times, but Buck Mason is always cooking up new seasonal variations
- Sits a little more at the casual end of ‘business-casual’
A travel blazer needn’t be reserved for formal occasions, or indeed cost the earth: the best ones on the market have the same throw-on appeal as a trusty denim jacket, and should be deployed liberally. That’s where this Buck Mason style wins out: made from a sturdier, wool-cotton herringbone, it’s structured enough to maintain its silhouette without needing padding. Additionally, the structure provided by the fabric is balanced by a neat, smartly proportioned cut that hits just below the hip, so it feels smart but not stuffy.
You could buy the matching pants and wear it all as a suit, but this jacket looks just as good with corduroy pants, or khaki chinos. Which means it could ostensibly take you everywhere from casual weddings to long weekend vacations, all without getting creased. And know that if this specific fabric isn’t for you, Buck Mason is always updating with seasonal refreshes, so check back soon.
Best Tailored Travel Blazer: Drake’s The Travel Jacket
Pros
- Immaculate tailoring
- Elevated, natural fabrication provides heft without bulk
- Breathable and comfortable to wear
Cons
- Premium tailoring comes with a price tag to match
A jacket that travels well doesn’t have to skimp on tailoring. Unsurprisingly, the leader of the pack in that regard is Drake’s, the British outfitter that has spent the last few years helping to make classic suiting feel sexy again. Its take on the travel blazer is made in Italy from lightweight wool, which is crafted in a hopsack weave to make it highly wrinkle resistant, without relying on synthetics.
But the real magic here is in the smaller details, from the gently curved breast pocket—usually only found on classic Italian suits—to the internal pocket, which is cut to be perfectly passport-sized. It’s this kind of attention that’s only possible from the top end of brands. Don’t be surprised if you end up wearing it constantly.
Best Budget Travel Blazer: Uniqlo Airsense Houndstooth Blazer
Uniqlo
Airsense Houndstooth Blazer
Pros
- Lightweight and breathable, but also stretchy for comfort and ease of movement.
- Quick-dry and wrinkle-resistant fabric
- Low-maintenance design that’s machine washable
- Great entry point blazer for the money
Cons
- The fabric feels synthetic and doesn’t match the richness of wool tailoring.
- Much less formal than a classic blazer
Nobody does well-designed, wearable basics quite like Uniqlo—and that extends to the brand’s slightly more niche pieces, too. The AirSense jacket packs in everything you’d want from a technical blazer: two-way stretch, quick-drying fabric, wrinkle resistance, and the kind of easy-care construction that lets you toss it straight into the washing machine without a hint stress.
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