The most familiar mistake with blazers sits right in the wardrobe: you take the jacket of your grey suit, wear it with jeans and call it a blazer. From a distance it looks fine, but up close the cloth is too smooth, the shoulder too stiff and the colour does not relate to the trousers. A real blazer is cut and made differently from the start. This article explains how to approach a made-to-measure blazer, from cloth and cut to cost, so that you end up with a jacket that works with many trousers rather than one you wear only a few times.
Quick answer
A made-to-measure men’s blazer is a jacket made individually for you in the shape of a suit jacket, with textured cloth, metal or horn buttons, soft shoulders and light structure, to be worn separately with trousers of a different colour. The price depends on the cloth and the complexity; Mon Amie lists three lines, Essential, Signature and Heritage, so ask for a quote for a specific cloth.
How does a blazer differ from a suit jacket?
The two look alike but are designed for different purposes: the jacket of a suit is worn with trousers of the same cloth, while a blazer is born to be worn separately.
| Detail | Suit jacket | Made-to-measure blazer |
|---|---|---|
| Cloth | Plain or tonal stripe, smooth surface, same cloth as the trousers | Textured: check, herringbone, velvet, linen, rough wool; a wide range of colours |
| Buttons | Same colour as the cloth, slight sheen | Metal, horn or wood buttons, possibly contrasting |
| Structure | Medium to firm canvas, upright shoulders | Light structure, soft shoulders, naturally close-fitting |
| Pockets | Flap or jetted, discreet | Often patch pockets, visible, more relaxed |
| Lining | Fully lined | Half-lined, or thinly lined for breathability |
| How to wear | With the trousers of the same suit | With dress trousers, chinos, even dark jeans |
It is the softness of the shoulder and the lining construction that make a blazer “comfortable yet smart”. If you are torn between styles of jacket, how to choose a men’s blazer discusses each cut further.
Choosing cloth so the blazer pairs with many trousers
A blazer is only worth making to measure if you wear it often, and to wear it often the cloth must be “easy to pair”. Work through three layers of choice in this order:
- Base colour. Navy, charcoal and camel are the three easiest colours to pair. Navy goes with grey, beige and white trousers and even dark jeans. Camel is warmer, and suits deep blue and grey trousers.
- Pattern. The fewer blazers you own, the more you should choose plain, tonal stripe or small check. Large patterns or bold colours are for a second blazer.
- Material for the climate. In Ho Chi Minh City, fine wool, linen or wool-linen blends are cooler; velvet and thick wool are only for air-conditioned evening parties or the cold season.
Three ways to wear a blazer that show its value at once
Before ordering, picture what the blazer will go with in your wardrobe:
- Navy blazer, grey trousers, white shirt. The formula for work and morning client meetings, almost never wrong.
- Camel or earth-tone blazer, deep blue trousers, light blue shirt. Warm and friendly, suited to weekends and business coffees.
- Small-check blazer, beige or cream trousers, plain T-shirt or polo. The most relaxed formula, for outdoor weddings and occasions that are “smart but not stiff”.
If a blazer cannot be paired in at least three formulas like these with trousers you already own, it may not be the one worth making.
Soft cut: four details to tell the tailor
“Soft cut” is the general name for a jacket with less stiffness and less padding, following the shoulder naturally. When you are measured, state four things clearly:
- Shoulder. Choose a natural shoulder with little padding. The shoulder line sits exactly on your real shoulder point and does not protrude.
- Length. A blazer is usually slightly shorter than a suit jacket, enough to cover most of the seat. Worn with jeans or chinos, a shorter jacket looks younger.
- Pockets. Patch pockets for a relaxed look, jetted pockets for a formal one. Choose according to where you will wear it.
- Buttons. Two buttons is the safest; metal or horn buttons feel more approachable than buttons matching the cloth.
Cost of a made-to-measure blazer: how to ask clearly
Mon Amie’s public price list is for a full set of jacket and trousers, in three lines:
| Line | Price range (jacket + trousers) | Cloth |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | VND 4.8 – 10 million | Kevinlli 40–70% wool (100s–140s) |
| Signature | VND 10 – 20 million | Kevinlli 80–100% wool 140s–150s, Dolce & Taylor, Luciano, Salford, Vercelli |
| Heritage | Above VND 20 million, up to VND 60 million per suit | Canonico, Holland Sherry, Dormeuil, Scabal |
For a single blazer, the actual price depends on the cloth you choose, the complexity of the details and the number of fittings. An effective way to ask is to bring three things to the showroom: the main occasion, your intended budget and one or two pairs of trousers you plan to pair it with. A stylist will choose cloth within the right line and quote before you decide. See the made-to-measure price list for an overview in advance.
Made-to-measure blazer in Ho Chi Minh City: which showroom?
Mon Amie has 5 showrooms, open daily:
| Showroom | Address | Opening hours | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caravelle Hotel (flagship) | 19–23 Công trường Lam Sơn, Sài Gòn Ward | 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. | 0898.111.113 |
| Nguyễn Trãi | 357 Nguyễn Trãi, An Đông Ward | 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. | 0888.111.118 |
| Hồ Văn Huê | 114–116 Hồ Văn Huê, Đức Nhuận Ward | 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. | 0836.111.113 |
| Đường 3/2 | 80–82–84 Đường 3/2, Hòa Hưng Ward | 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. | 0901.811.116 |
| Nguyễn Thị Thập | 13 Nguyễn Thị Thập, Tân Hưng Ward | 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. | 0333.111.113 |
If you are busy, you can choose at-home made-to-measure within Ho Chi Minh City, or online made-to-measure if you are further away. See the list of showrooms to pick the nearest one.
Common mistakes and tips from Mon Amie’s master tailors
- Choosing a blazer that looks like the suit you already have. When you have one made to measure, choose a colour and texture different from your suit so the two can be cross-matched.
- Choosing a shoulder that is too stiff. A heavily structured blazer looks like a suit jacket that has lost its trousers.
- Skipping the baste fitting. A soft blazer still needs a fitting to adjust the shoulder and the sleeve length.
- A master tailor’s tip: when fitting, wear the exact shirt or thin T-shirt you plan to pair it with. A jacket worn separately is seen from more angles than one worn in a suit, so every small detail, such as pockets and buttons, shows.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a made-to-measure blazer cost?
It depends on the cloth and the complexity. Mon Amie lists full-set prices across three lines, Essential, Signature and Heritage; for a single blazer, you receive a quote for the specific cloth at the measuring, after the stylist has advised you.
What is a reasonable price for a men’s blazer?
It is reasonable when the cloth and the workmanship match the number of times you will wear it. A blazer you can wear all year is a better investment than one worn a few times. Start with the line that fits your budget and upgrade with the second.
Where should I have a blazer made in Ho Chi Minh City?
You can visit any of Mon Amie’s 5 showrooms, from Caravelle Hotel to Nguyễn Thị Thập. Each has stylists and a fabric library to advise you.
Can a blazer be worn in hot weather in Ho Chi Minh City?
Yes, if you choose fine wool or linen, light structure and a half lining. Avoid velvet and thick wool when you are outdoors.
Final word
A good made-to-measure blazer is the jacket you reach for each morning without thinking. If you have made up your mind, book a fitting to choose the cloth and the cut; if you are still browsing, the Mon Amie fabric library is a good place to start.