What do you think of them? Part of me thinks they're rather douche-y, and another part of me considers them to be pretty snazzy.

For instance, if you watch Californication, David Duchovny's character pulls off the look pretty well.
http://www.seriesblog.es/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/californication_narrowweb__300x4070.jpg
So did that guy Lew Ashby from season 2. But, then I look at pictures like these:

http://www.sheknowsbest.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/rockrepublic-jerry-blazer-thumb.jpg
http://www.damnilikethat.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/blazer.jpg

...and I can't help but think "Eh...that guy looks kind of like a douche."

I think that the "douche" vibe is tied to the shirt worn under the blazer. T-shirts seem to look good, but when I see a button-up shirt, I can't help but think of horny 20 year olds trying to prove how cool they are in a club.

Is this just me, perhaps?

EDIT: Then again...there is the old saying that "The man makes the clothes". What do you guys think?

The blazer insofar as I'm concerned is more dependent on the trousers and undershirt being worn with it than anything else.

And which characteristics of the pants and undershirt are important for which look?

I always thought wearing a blazer anywhere but work, dinner, or etc. and with a t shirt was kind of douche. It depends on the person, though, and david duchovny pulls it off on that show. Just make sure it's fitted like that, and that so are the rest of your clothes. You dont want to look like an old white country club guy.

You think it's douchey with a T-shirt, or without one?

You dont want to look like an old white country club guy.

Or maybe you do... Depends on the look you're going for.

Thing is, a blazer is often the supporting piece, it just tidies up your formal-casual crossover. If you have a couple of show pieces, eg. a nice flashy tie, some designer jeans etc, a blazer is gonna to be just right.

In my opinion the problem with the last two photos is that the blazer is their showpiece. Probably because they're trying to sell it to you.

Now look at David Duchovny, when you look at that photo your first impression isn't going to be "Wow, he's wearing a blazer." You're probably more likely to notice:
a. It's David Duchovny
b. He's wearing stubbies - WTF, this guy just doesn't care.

Now look at David Duchovny, when you look at that photo your first impression isn't going to be "Wow, he's wearing a blazer." You're probably more likely to notice:
a. It's David Duchovny
b. He's wearing stubbies - WTF, this guy just doesn't care.

Yeah, that was something I had considered. Seeing a celebrity you like in a given outfit kind of taints your impression of the outfit.

But I think you made a good point with the "Wtf, this guy just doesn't care." observation. I suppose I think "douche" when it looks like someone is trying hard to look "cool", not necessarily when they are wearing a button-down shirt with a blazer. Then again, I saw another picture of Duchovny in a blazer and button-up shirt, and I didn't think it looked that good, so...perhaps it is better to wear a T-shirt under the blazer. (By the way, I don't mean some logo T-shirt, but plain ones, or some nice plain designer T-shirts)

It's just hard to say, because there are so many factors influencing your perception of what looks good, bad, douche-y, etc. I might think it looks "douche-y" just because of a personal preference, or I might like a look because I happened to see some celebrity I like in it first, and so on. Hmm...

They're cool. You just need the right look and style to pull it off. It does look really douchy in those pics, but i've seen afew people look sharp in them.

to me, nothing screams jackass louder than jeans and a blazer. fucking kanye

Blazers almost always look good. When they don't is when you get too close to the businessman look. I'd say stay away from anything that looks like it has a matching pair of pants (like that plain black one you showed). I try to stick with lighter materials--no tweed or heavy wool. The shirt underneath can kill an awesome blazer, too. A button-down in a solid color, especially in white, looks terrible with a blazer (in a casual setting....). Stick with 'casual' button downs, methinks. Or, like you said, tshirts/polos.

I've never liked the blue blazer look. Too schoolboyish, too military, too corporate. I'll admit, I have a bit of a velvet blazer fetish. I mean, damn, look at this shit:
http://www.uncrate.com/men/images/ben-sherman-velvet-blazer.jpg

fuckin' sweet.

aww fuck you, Kanye looks sweet!

***


also, might I remind us all that, despite the dashing looks of the first gentleman, wearing pants in public is generally a good idea?

who are you the goddamn velveteen bear

Okay first of all, it's the velveteen rabbit, and second, velveteen is not the same thing as velvet. Thirdly, velvet is fuckin' awesome. That Ben Sherman velvet blazer is the flyest piece of men's outerwear you've ever laid your feeble eyes on.

Okay first of all, it's the velveteen rabbit, and second, velveteen is not the same thing as velvet. Thirdly, velvet is fuckin' awesome. That Ben Sherman velvet blazer is the flyest piece of men's outerwear you've ever laid your feeble eyes on.

I wouldn't waste your breath.

no way someone wears a jacket like that and doesnt take it up the ass

Blazer + hoodie, pref. dark blazer, light gray hoodie, is acceptable, anything else, only if youre +27. Else you look like a douchebag

I'll admit, I have a bit of a velvet blazer fetish. I mean, damn, look at this shit:
http://www.uncrate.com/men/images/ben-sherman-velvet-blazer.jpg

fuckin' sweet.

This. Fucking hell, this.

Shit picture,
amazing blazer (by D&G).

http://z.about.com/d/mensfashion/1/0/6/X/DGblazer.jpg

-F☺rd

This. Fucking hell, this.

Shit picture,
amazing blazer (by D&G).

http://z.about.com/d/mensfashion/1/0/6/X/DGblazer.jpg

-F☺rd

I'm gonna have to go ahead and, uh, call that blazer gay.

I'm gonna have to go ahead and, uh, call that blazer gay.

Nope, the guy in the picture is gay. You'd have to see the blazer in person.

-F☺rd

I wear a burgundy sweatshirt underneath a blazer in the mornings when it's cold, and I look pretty snazzy if I must say so myself.