I once believed all blazers were essentially identical. If it was black and fit reasonably well, I'd buy it. My wallet appreciated the low cost, but my closet certainly didn't.
I needed a dependable, polished outfit. More specifically, I was searching for a sharp black blazer with gold buttons—a timeless style. However, every attempt to achieve that look on a budget ended in disappointment. After wasting money on three subpar jackets, I finally understood the lesson: buying cheap clothing ultimately costs you more.
This is the story of my journey, from purchasing the most affordable blazer I could find to investing in the high-quality XEASY two-piece set.
My initial purchase was around $35. It looked promising online but fell short in reality.
The fabric resembled that of a cheap Halloween costume—thin and wrinkled straight out of the package. It had no structure whatsoever; holding it up, you could almost see right through it. The buttons were the biggest letdown: lightweight plastic, not genuine metal, with a gold paint that chipped almost instantly.
The blazer didn't hold up for long. My first $35 purchase lasted only about three weeks before a button came off. After just one dry cleaning, the black color faded to a dull, dusty gray.
Verdict: Extremely cheap blazers fade quickly, use thin fabric, and often lose buttons almost immediately. The $35 savings aren't worth it.
Realizing I needed to spend more than $40, I upgraded to a $75 blazer. It was... acceptable.
This blazer had a better feel, with thicker fabric and a light lining that helped it hold its shape. I wore it to office events for several months and felt much more confident.
However, flaws were still present—just less obvious. The buttons were metal, a significant improvement, but they looked dull rather than shiny, resembling cheap brass instead of real gold. The pocket stitching was messy, lacking a professional finish up close.
I checked the material tag, which listed a polyester blend but omitted details like specific weave numbers or quality stamps. It felt okay, but not exceptional.