If you‘ve found your way to this post, chances are you‘ve heard whispers in passing about the NYC-based clothing brand Rowing Blazers. Maybe you‘ve spotted their eye-catching rugby shirts on Instagram or the bold stripe jackets being rocked by celebs like Timothée Chalamet and Kid Cudi.
In your search to uncover more, you likely have some burning questions:
- What exactly is their deal? What kind of clothes do Rowing Blazers actually sell?
- Are their wild custom fabrics and prints all hype or is there substance behind the style?
- Is this yet another spendy brand better admired from afar than actually worn?
Well after obsessively testing gear for the better part of a decade across my website and social accounts, I‘d like to provide some deeper context. Consider me your Rowing Blazers guide and confidant.
I‘ve personally purchased and evaluated a range of pieces from modern adaptations of their iconic rowing jackets to rugby shirts and sweats. I‘ll break down how their quality and sizing really stacks up along with insider tips for shopping the brand.
First let‘s quickly demystify Rowing Blazers as a label…
Who is Rowing Blazers?
Rowing Blazers was started in 2017 by Jack Carlson, an American rower, author and archaelogist obsessed with the sport‘s preppy aesthetic. After competing internationally, he created an artfully photographed book documenting the uniforms and blazers worn by rowers worldwide.
This sparked the creation of the Rowing Blazers fashion label translating classic stripes, crests and oars imagery into a fresher streetwear lens.
Beyond formal blazers, the brand has expanded into rugby shirts, sweats, shorts plus shoes and accessories. While colors remain bold and prints preppy, you‘ll also find subtle touches like side vents, contrast trims and heritage fabrications.
Now that you‘ve got the backstory, let‘s jump into the goods from fabric quality to fit.
How Rowing Blazers Quality and Sizing Compares
During my testing, pieces from Rowing Blazers have generally exceeded expectations for quality and construction. Prices hover on the steeper end averaging $200 to $400 per piece, but materials and manufacturing rise to the pricing.
As context, I have a decade testing fashion apparel specifically assessing elements like:
- Fabric quality across characteristics including density, texture, durability over wash/wear
- Stitch and trim precision examining details like embroidery, zippers and labeling
- Fit consistency across size chart accuracy, appropriate ease for silhouette
For quality benchmarks, I personally wear and test against comparably priced brands like Noah, Aimé Leon Dore and Reigning Champ.
Now let‘s get into specific pieces!
Rowing Blazers Felsted Rugby Jersey
This Felsted rugby epitomizes what Rowing Blazers does so well. They take an icon like the rugby shirt and enhance it through considered details like contrasting fabric inside the collar and tonal embroidery.
- $250 USD
- 8.1 oz Japanese jersey cotton provides structured drape
- Trim tailored fit through body and arms
- True to size compared to brands like Noah and Reigning Champ
Rowing Blazers Russell Athletic Crewneck Sweatshirt
Part of an ongoing USA-made collab series, this fleece perfectly balances retro prep styling with premium sweats construction. Russell Athletic has been making top-notch sweats since the 1920s – you instantly recognize the velvety brushed interior.
Beyond streamlined collegiate script logo and stripes, they offer pop colors like safety green and neon orange rarely seen from Russell.
- $155 USD
- Classic cotton/poly French terry fleece (not 100% cotton)
- Generously sized with excellent sleeve/body length
- Runs slightly large compared to typical Russell sizing
Rowing Blazers Court Canvas Overshirt
This overshirt displays Rowing Blazers ability to span aesthetics from Ivy prep to contemporary streetwear. It‘s cut slim like a modern jacket but employs textured cotton twill akin to classic tailored trousers.
White contrast along the inner collar and princess seams offsets triple stripe accent colors. The vented back with side buckle straps nods to motorcycle culture.
- $295 USD
- Textured 7 oz cotton twill for structured drape
- Trim tailored fit simlar to outerwear sizing
- True to size
Key Tips for Shopping Rowing Blazers
Through getting to know the brand first-hand, I‘ve gathered a few tips worth sharing:
Be Quick for the Most Coveted Releases
Rowing Blazers disciples act fast when those email announcements hit for new collections or collabs. The most unique pieces produced in limited runs sell out instantly. Sign up for their newsletter and explore Instagram for upcoming drops.
Mind the Materials
Beyond confident graphic statements, Rowing Blazers pieces showcase considered textiles and fabrics not found elsewhere. Pay attention to details like Portuguese wool, vintage deadstock cotton and brushed terry cloth. These materials in subtle colors tend to sell slower if you miss those statement pieces.
Explore Their Collaborations
Beyond standout team-ups with Russell Athletic, Rowing Blazers has partnered with labels like New Balance, Champion, Barbour and even the NBA. These drops often bring harder-to-find archived silhouettes, colorways and graphics.
Used Market Steals
Given the rapid sell-through, the resale market lights up with Rowing Blazers goods often deadstock priced below retail. Check Grailed, eBay and Vestiaire Collective for blazers and rugby shirts, with solid deals on rare colorways.
The Bottom Line: Well Worth Seeking Out
Hopefully this inside glimpse helps provide context whether Rowing Blazers lands on your personal radar or wish list. Beyond living up to quality expectations, Rowing Blazers injects much needed irreverence and cheeky fun into the often stodgy world of heritage menswear.
For those who appreciate vibrant colors, artful fabrics and cheeky sporting motifs, few current labels balance heritage and contemporary cool so skillfully. Just be sure to act swiftly once those new product alerts hit your inbox!
Hope you‘ve found these insights helpful. Let me know if you have any other brand requests for future deep dives!
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