Buttons, Blazers & Boats

It's all about the Buttons.
Itchenor Sailing Club links its buttons, blazers and boats, overcoming challenges along the way.

Perry Club blazers are as individual as every owner is.  They are made to fit perfectly and they proudly display the unique club crest.  But Itchenor takes customisation even further than this.

Justifiably proud of their world-beating achievements in the International 14 class, the club came up with an original idea to link their Perry club blazers to their beloved boats: carbon fibre.  The boats are made of carbon fibre so why not the buttons as well?  So they decided to use this strong, lightweight material to connect their emblematic blazers to their craft.  But carbon fibre buttons proved to be a challenge.  Engraving logos was tricky enough but not as hard as drilling all the holes and attaching screw eyes.  But 220 buttons later the indefatigable team had fixed all these problems, proving that teams can do just about anything if they set their minds to it.

Great team spirit, great teamwork in button production

And Itchenor Club's beautiful finished blazers are a permanent reminder of the values that make this club so successful.  We posted this story on Facebook too - www.facebook.com/pages/Perry-Club.  And don't forget to follow us on Twitter too www.twitter.com/Clubblazer.

Itchenor Sailing Club proud of performance and appearance

Itchenor Sailing Club, just back from its triumph in the World Championships (International 14 class), told Perry Club how their blazers cut a dash at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club from where the competition was held.

"We had two formal prize-givings, one for the team competition and one for individuals.  Our Perry blazers were out in force on both occasions," one team member told us.  This photo shows the great effect  these individually tailored fine woollen jackets created. They did justice to Itchenor's current success and its proud sailing heritage.

Normally team kit for a sailing regatta consists of t-shirts or polo shirts at best so these personalised Itchenor-branded blazers caused quite a stir setting the club apart from all the others and at the same time reinforcing the great sense of team spirit and community - vital ingredients at this level of competition.

Prize givings and formal dinners at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club, itself steeped in history and tradition, were the perfect occasions to show off these great clothes.  For more club news, follow us on Twitter @Clubblazer or on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/pages/Perry-Club

Blaze of Glory

Rowers in striped jackets set rivers “ablaze” in Edwardian times – and that’s how the word “blazer” was coined.  See photos and exhibits celebrating the history of the sports blazer at Henley’s River and Rowing Museum – on display until June 2014. Perry Club continues this great tradition - making beautifully crafted blazers that today’s rowers are just as proud to wear.  For details of the exhibition visit http://rrm.co.uk/events/blaze-of-glory

Fast Cars and Striped Blazers, a Revival to Remember

This month saw Goodwood The Revival 2013, a unique chance to revel in the glamour and allure of motor racing in the romantic time capsule of the world’s most authentic motor circuit. There was an array of vintage fashion and British heritage brands were a popular choice.

Aston Martin celebrated its 100 year centenary and exhibited few classic road cars in their very own hospitality suite.

 The Goodwood Revival is truly impressive in the number of enthusiasts flocking to each machine, ready to talk history, fashion, and dancing around the motor cars of the true greats.

 'The wealth of enthusiasm and knowledge at this event is infectious, and apart from being a much anticipated event for vintage car collectors and hobbyists, for those not already on the inside it is a great stepping stone into the exciting world of historic motorsport - and so much else besides.' 

(Laurain Ash Daily Telegraph 16.09.13)

A Brief History of 'The Blazer'

The term ‘blazer’ originated with the red 'blazers' of the Lady Margaret Boat Club which was established in 1825, this was the rowing club of St John's College , Cambridge. The Lady Margaret club jackets were termed ‘blazers’ because of the bright red cloth, a term derived from the original red coat.

A writer to the London Daily News (22 August 1889) commented that "In your article of to-day” you speak of ‘a striped red and black blazer’, ‘the blazer’, also of ‘the pale toned’ ones. A blazer is the red flannel boating jacket worn by the Lady Margaret of St. John's College Cambridge Boat Club. When I was at Cambridge it meant that and nothing else. It seems from your article that a blazer now means a coloured flannel jacket, whether for cricket, tennis, boating, or seaside wear."  The blazer is in fact now a signature sporting choice for a wide variety of sports teams and clubs worldwide. 
The rowing blazer for example, morphing from the livery of royal watermen and the uniforms belonging to crews of ceremonial barges, to become the celebrated garments of competitive sportsman.

 
Blazers, once commonly worn playing or attending traditional 'gentlemen's sports', persist in games now, such as tennis, cricket, rugby and polo. The blazers are likely worn at sporting events, tours, post- match, and special occasions. When in professional matches, such as Cricket international test matches, it is considered customary for the captain to wear a blazer with the team's logo or national coat of arms on the breast pocket, at least during the coin toss at the beginning of play.

Perry Club provide Enfield Ignatians RFC with blazers for 'The Big Tour'

From Terminal 1 to the top of Table Mountain (via a rugby pitch or two), Perry Club were proud to supply Enfield Ignatians RFC with tour blazers for their biggest and most ambitious tour to date labelled 'The Big Tour'. Club President, Martin Baker, who co-ordinated the project, handed out blazers to each tourist at a club night last Wednesday June 26th. Martin was delighted with the result commenting: "there were lots of compliments on the night and as the evening developed. Club members were both impressed and a bit surprised how professional we all look".

The team take pride in their appearance as well as their performance on the playing field. "There were some excellent performances on the fields. Standouts included Tom Killey, David Gear (best junior player) and former colts Aaron Doe and Luke Stack. It was certainly a tour to remember."

3 Ways to Wear your Club Blazer

Whether formal or casual, a club blazer enhances your personality and lifestyle.

 Here are 3 ways to accessorize for any occasion.