No one ever said feeling out a dress code was easy – especially when it comes to the suit versus the jacket (and, more specifically, the sport coat versus the blazer). One thing is for certain, though: whichever form of suiting a guy chooses to don, there’s no way he’s not going to look pretty darn good in it.

The Sport Coat
Its origins rooted in hunting, this look’s most casual of the three. Wear it to dates and to brunches in the city. Best part? It counts as dressy casual at work.

The Suit
A suit will almost always be appropriate at weddings, job interviews, and formal workplaces (in navy), and at funerals (in the requisite black).

The Blazer
A bit more formal than the sport coat, the traditional blazer is navy and usually comes with metal buttons (chalk that up to its roots as a boating club jacket). Chinos and jeans are both fair game with this one. In my personal opinion, it never, EVER hurts for a guy to have a blue blazer handy. Keep one in your office or your car; you never know when you’ll be needing it.

Our Rue Trunk Show: Men’s & Kids’ Suiting Boutique opens Wednesday, October 24 at 3PM ET.

By Sarah Stanley, Staff Writer

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If there’s an under-utilized item of clothing in my closet, hands down, it’s my jean jacket. A classic that, like leather, just gets better with age (I prefer a little wear and tear), mine has been hanging sheepishly behind my summer maxi dresses for far too long.

Enter our ultra creative lead art director Tarah and her newly enhanced version. It may be an oldie (circa 2000), but with a cleverly arranged arsenal of vintage pins – oh, it’s a goody. So statement making. So simple! Call me inspired. And since no two look the same, I’m digging out my old denim BFF and following Tarah’s lead.

1. Stock your pin supply. Raid your jewelry box. Rummage through thrift stores. Swing by the accessory department. From oversized flowers to dainty rhinestones and quirky finds, grab what speaks to you.

2. Lay your jacket on a flat surface and set the pins on top. Experiment with clustering a few smalls pins together. Place one on the collar, the sleeve – play with the unexpected. Arrange and re-arrange until it’s to your liking.

3. Once you’ve nailed the composition. Pin them in place, and voilà! A jean jacket worth showing off.