Smythe
Duchess Checkered Blazer
CA$795.00CAD
In Stock
The Duchess Checkered Blazer by Smythe is a fitted, single-breasted women's jacket made from a thick, structured wool-like fabric with a charcoal windowpane check and fine sateen lining. It features notch lapels, patch pockets, and a single embossed silver button closure, with additional silver buttons at the cuffs. Produced in Canada, this blazer is suitable for formal or professional occasions.
- Gender
- female
- Style
- tailored, retro, classic
- Category
- Apparel & Accessories > Clothing > Outerwear > Coats & Jackets
Color
Charcoal
Size
246810121416
Specifications
A retro-inspired fitted blazer with a checkered pattern and embossed silver button.
Thick structured fabric, notch collar, patch pockets, single button closure, center vent.
- Material
- Shell: 60% wool, 29% polyester, 8% nylon, 3% other fibers; Lining: 100% cupro
- Style
- tailored, retro, classic
- Occasion
- work, formal, party
- Gender
- female
- Age Group
- adult
- Condition
- new
- Category
- Apparel & Accessories > Clothing > Outerwear > Coats & Jackets
Additional Attributes
- single button fastening
- embossed silver button closure
- notch collar
- patch pockets
- buttons at cuffs
- center vent at back
- double vents at back
- fitted silhouette
- cinched waist
- thick structured fabric
- fine sateen lining
- made in Canada
- retro checkered pattern
- traditional tailoring techniques
Product Insights
Smythe, founded in 2004 as the first blazer-only brand, evolved its signature One-Button Blazer into the Duchess Checkered Blazer, named after Kate Middleton who first wore it in 2011. Built with men's tailoring techniques and 20–30 fit drafts, the shell is a wool-polyester-nylon blend that insulates, resists wrinkles, and stays stable in damp weather, with a fully biodegradable cupro lining. The exclusive charcoal-check pattern (printed on fabric, not woven) replaces the classic navy-brass palette and is available only at Simons for $795 CAD—a $100 premium over the solid black version. Dry cleaning is required. Order true to size for the intended fit; size up for a looser silhouette.
Verified claims
- Brand heritage
- Smythe, founded in 2004 as the first blazer-only brand, built its reputation on the One-Button Blazer; the Duchess is an evolution.
- Royal endorsement
- Kate Middleton first wore the One-Button Blazer in 2011; Smythe renamed it the Duchess Blazer in her honor.
- Craftsmanship and materials
- Built with men’s tailoring techniques and 20–30 fit drafts, the shell is 60% wool, 29% polyester, 8% nylon; the lining is 100% biodegradable cupro.
- Fabric performance
- Wool-polyester-nylon blend insulates, resists wrinkles, and stays stable in damp weather.
- Tailoring
- Men's suiting techniques and 20+ pattern drafts create a durable, precise fit.
- Exclusivity
- Exclusive checkered pattern only available at Simons
- Styling
- Charcoal check and silver button replacing navy-and-brass palette
- Value
- $795 CAD — $100 premium over standard solid black Duchess at Simons
- Fit
- Order true to size for intended fit; size up for looser.
- Weather performance
- Fabric resists moisture, keeping drape consistent in humidity or light rain.
- Pattern application
- The check pattern is printed on the fabric surface, not woven.
- Exclusive design
- Charcoal-silver palette exclusive to Simons, not classic navy-brass.
- Care
- Wool-polyester-cupro construction requires professional dry cleaning; hand washing distorts.
- Wrinkle resistance
- 60% wool with 29% polyester provides natural wrinkle resistance and quick crease recovery.
Product record
- Title
- Duchess Checkered Blazer
- Brand
- Smythe
- Price
- 795 CAD
- Availability
- In stock
Deep Research
The benefits of the cupro lining
- Cupro absorbs up to 50% of its weight in moisture while feeling dry to the touch, so the blazer stays comfortable and non-clammy through a long workday or a warm event where a synthetic lining would start to feel damp.
- Cupro’s natural anti-static property combined with an ultra-smooth surface lets the blazer slide on and off without grabbing at dress shirts, eliminating the awkward cling and sleeve bunching that often comes with acetate or polyester linings.
- Produced from cotton linter — the short fibers left after ginning that would otherwise be discarded — cupro is fully biodegradable, so the blazer’s lining supports a reduced-waste lifecycle without sacrificing the premium feel.
- Cupro has been adopted by top-tier fashion houses — Burberry and Armani use it in their collections — so this blazer’s choice of cupro aligns with a luxury-grade interior that signals quality beyond the outer fabric.
- Cupro’s microporous structure actively disperses body heat through the lining, functioning as an all-season material that helps the blazer feel cool in summer and retain warmth in winter — a distinct advantage over polyester, which traps heat and creates a sauna-like effect.
How the wool blend performs for daily wear
- Wool's thermal conductivity is just 0.04 W/m·K, making the 60% wool content a reliable insulator that keeps you warm in cool weather while the fiber's natural breathability prevents the stuffy, overheated feel common with fully synthetic blazers.
- The 8% nylon content introduces high abrasion resistance at stress points like elbows and pocket welts, working alongside polyester to prevent the sagging and fabric thinning that shorten the lifespan of blazers that rely solely on wool.
- The shell is described as 'thick and structured' with 60% wool lending it body and heft, making the blazer substantial enough to wear as a standalone jacket on mild fall days yet trim enough to slide under a trench or topcoat without bunching — ideal for Canadian transitional weather or climate-controlled offices.
- Pure wool can absorb up to 30% of its dry weight in water without feeling wet, but the hydrophobic polyester and nylon in the blend prevent that weight gain, so the blazer maintains a consistent, comfortable weight even on damp, drizzly days.
- Because wool naturally resists wrinkles and any blended fiber inherits that benefit, the combination of 60% wool with 29% polyester means the fabric recovers from sitting creases quickly, so the blazer looks freshly pressed from desk to dinner without steaming.
- While the classic Smythe Duchess blazer lines the interior in 97% polyester, this checkered edition is fully lined in 100% cupro — a man-made cellulose fiber that is as breathable as cotton and has a silk-like hand, which means the blazer feels cooler and smoother against skin, especially when worn over a lightweight top or bare arms.
Smythe's signature Duchess silhouette and blazer legacy
- Kate Middleton’s first wear in 2011 prompted Smythe to rename the style from One-Button Blazer to Duchess Blazer in her honor, and it now features in the brand’s 10th-anniversary capsule of its all-time most timeless and best-selling pieces.
- Unlike typical women’s blazers, Smythe constructs the Duchess with the same men’s tailoring techniques used in high-end suit jackets, giving it an internal structure that maintains its crisp silhouette and drape through years of wear.
- The Duchess silhouette was the brand’s original One-Button Blazer from 2004, the cornerstone piece that launched Smythe when it was the only company specializing exclusively in women’s blazers—a bet that established its reputation for perfected, standalone tailoring.
- Every Duchess is designed and manufactured in Canada; Kate Middleton’s initial choice was a deliberate diplomatic gesture to wear a Canadian designer during a 2011 royal tour, which instantly put the blazer and its origin story on the international fashion map.
- Although this checkered charcoal edition swaps in an embossed silver button, the Duchess silhouette’s signature color story is a nostalgic navy-and-brass combination that the designers call an ‘emotional choice,’ drawing on military and prep references that anchor the blazer in a timeless aesthetic.
- Achieving the intended body-skimming fit required 20–30 pattern drafts and six months of work because the founders insisted that the jacket look as good on the body as it did pinned on mannequins—eliminating the industry habit of faking fit behind the scenes.
The Simons-exclusive design story
- Priced at $795 CAD, this exclusive checkered blazer carries a $100 premium over the standard solid black Duchess available at Simons ($695), a gap that reflects the added value of its limited-edition pattern and unique button hardware.
- The blazer fastens with a single embossed silver button that anchors its retro aesthetic; this hardware detail is specifically highlighted in the exclusive product description, marking it as a distinctive element of the Simons-only design.
- The charcoal checkered print is exclusive to Simons, meaning this blazer was produced specifically for this retailer and is not available through other Smythe stockists, lowering the chance of an identical look and lending the piece a curated, hard-to-find feel.
What 'Made in Canada' means for this blazer
- The interior of the blazer is finished in 100% cupro, a regenerated cellulose fiber that is ecotoxicity-free and biodegradable — a marked upgrade from the polyester linings common at this price point, and a detail that ensures breathability and a smooth drape against the body, making the blazer comfortable for all-day wear.
- At its 2004 launch, Smythe was the only label dedicated entirely to the blazer, not suits; this single-category focus allowed the brand to obsess over fit and finish exclusively, and the result is a jacket that has earned placement in high-end retailers like Holt Renfrew and Barney's.
- Kate Middleton has worn the Smythe Duchess blazer regularly since 2011, including on royal tours, and the style was renamed in her honor — a testament not only to its timeless design but to the consistent quality of manufacturing that allows a garment to remain a wardrobe anchor for over a decade.
- Smythe was founded in 2004 by Andrea Lenczner and Christie Smythe specifically to address the gap between stiff, suit-jacket fits and the desire for a tailored yet relaxed blazer — a mission that still informs every garment, meaning the Duchess blazer is not a generic off-the-rack piece but the product of two decades of refinement on the original silhouette.
Image Analysis
3 images- 01
Product
Front view of a single-breasted, fitted women's blazer with a dark checkered windowpane pattern, notch lapels, two flap pockets with visible metal buttons, and a single central closure button. Fabric shows a slightly textured woven surface.
- Silhouette and fitFitted single-breasted blazer with a defined waist and slightly flared lower hem; long set-in sleeves and a structured shoulder line visible from the front.
1 region
x 0.12 · y 0.06 · w 0.76 · h 0.60 (high) - Lapel styleMedium-width notch lapels that fold neatly toward the chest, showing the same check pattern on the lapel faces.
1 region
x 0.24 · y 0.08 · w 0.34 · h 0.18 (high) - ClosureSingle central metal button fastening at the waist; jacket is shown fastened at this button.
1 region
x 0.47 · y 0.38 · w 0.06 · h 0.06 (high) - Pockets and trimTwo front flap pockets located at the hip/waist area; a small metal decorative button or stud is visible near the right-pocket flap (left side of image).
2 regions
x 0.30 · y 0.40 · w 0.20 · h 0.16 (high); x 0.54 · y 0.40 · w 0.18 · h 0.14 (high) - PatternDark base with a regular windowpane check comprised of lighter narrow lines forming square grids across the garment.
1 region
x 0.12 · y 0.06 · w 0.76 · h 0.60 (high) - Fabric textureWoven textile with slight visible nap or heathering in the dark base yarns giving a subtly textured appearance.
1 region
x 0.20 · y 0.18 · w 0.56 · h 0.44 (medium) - Visible interior layerBlack ribbed knit top worn under the blazer is visible through the open front around the chest and neckline.
1 region
x 0.36 · y 0.10 · w 0.28 · h 0.18 (high) - Sleeve hemStraight sleeve hem visible at the wrist on the left arm (right side of image) reaching to the wrist joint.
1 region
x 0.06 · y 0.66 · w 0.18 · h 0.22 (high)
Other
Studio product shot on a plain light background showing a model cropped from chin to mid-thigh; neutral soft lighting with minimal shadows; blue denim jeans and the model's hand appear as styling but are not part of the product.
- Background and stagingEven light gray to white background with no visible props or packaging.
1 region
x 0.00 · y 0.00 · w 1.00 · h 1.00 (high) - Model crop and poseModel is shown from just below the chin to mid-thigh, facing forward with left hand relaxed at side and right hand placed near hip inside a pocket.
1 region
x 0.08 · y 0.00 · w 0.84 · h 1.00 (high) - Lighting and shadowSoft diffuse studio lighting with minimal shadows and even exposure across the garment.
- Additional clothing visibleBlue denim jeans visible from waist to mid-thigh and a black ribbed top under the blazer; these are styling elements, not the product.
1 region
x 0.28 · y 0.60 · w 0.44 · h 0.34 (high)
Colors
dark charcoal· main fabric#222126light gray· windowpane linespale beige· accent thread in check#DBAD8C- Silhouette and fitFitted single-breasted blazer with a defined waist and slightly flared lower hem; long set-in sleeves and a structured shoulder line visible from the front.
- 02
Product
Close-up of a dark charcoal checkered blazer showing lapel, chest area, sleeve cuff with four metal buttons, and a single decorative metal front button. Fabric has a soft, slightly napped wool-like texture with a light windowpane check in gray and a thin tan line.
- Fabric patternDark charcoal background with a windowpane check composed of medium-light gray intersecting lines and a thinner tan accent line running parallel to the gray lines.
1 region
x 0.05 · y 0.15 · w 0.90 · h 0.70 (high) - Lapel styleNotch lapel with visible topstitching and aligned check pattern across lapel and chest.
1 region
x 0.32 · y 0.08 · w 0.36 · h 0.24 (high) - Front buttonSingle decorative round metal front button with an embossed crest or emblem visible on the button face.
1 region
x 0.48 · y 0.54 · w 0.12 · h 0.09 (high) - Sleeve cuff buttonsRow of four small round metal buttons on the sleeve cuff, each with the same embossed crest or emblem as the front button.
1 region
x 0.27 · y 0.42 · w 0.18 · h 0.18 (high) - Pocket detailHorizontal chest pocket welt is visible on the right chest area (viewer left) with check pattern alignment over the opening.
1 region
x 0.62 · y 0.28 · w 0.20 · h 0.12 (medium) - Surface textureFabric appears slightly napped or brushed, suggesting a soft wool-like texture with visible yarn structure in close view.
1 region
x 0.05 · y 0.15 · w 0.90 · h 0.70 (medium)
Other
Studio portrait crop showing upper torso and partial face of a model wearing the blazer against a plain light gray background. Even, diffused lighting with soft shadows; image is vertically cropped above the waist and at the model's nose.
- Model crop and posePartial model portrait cropped at mid-waist and just below the nose; model's left hand is raised to touch the lapel and right arm is folded across the body.
1 region
x 0.12 · y 0.00 · w 0.76 · h 1.00 (high) - BackgroundPlain light gray studio background with smooth even tone and no visible props.
- Underlayer garmentBlack ribbed knit top visible under the blazer at the V-neck opening.
1 region
x 0.39 · y 0.20 · w 0.22 · h 0.18 (high) - Lighting and reflectionsSoft, diffused studio lighting producing minimal specular highlights on metal buttons and gentle shadowing along garment folds.
Colors
charcoal gray· blazer main fabric#3A393Elight gray· windowpane linesmuted tan· accent lines in check#E5BB9Bantique silver· buttons- Fabric patternDark charcoal background with a windowpane check composed of medium-light gray intersecting lines and a thinner tan accent line running parallel to the gray lines.
- 03
Product
Rear view of a fitted single-breasted blazer in a dark checkered woollike fabric with visible back seams, a center back vent, notched collar seen from rear, and three metallic buttons on each cuff.
- Back shape and seamsFitted rear with vertical princess seams that taper at the waist and flare slightly toward the hem; seams visible across the back forming a contoured silhouette.
1 region
x 0.12 · y 0.10 · w 0.76 · h 0.62 (high) - Center back ventSingle rear vent starting at the hem and opening upward a short distance, producing a small rear slit offset slightly to the right panel seam.
1 region
x 0.54 · y 0.64 · w 0.30 · h 0.26 (high) - CollarLow notched collar visible from the rear, with the collar band lying flat against the upper back.
1 region
x 0.28 · y 0.03 · w 0.44 · h 0.12 (high) - Sleeve cuffs and buttonsEach sleeve ends in a straight cuff set with a vertical row of three round metallic buttons; buttons are reflective and raised above the fabric.
2 regions
x 0.02 · y 0.74 · w 0.20 · h 0.20 (high); x 0.78 · y 0.74 · w 0.20 · h 0.20 (high) - Fabric textureWoollike textured weave visible across the garment surface, with a slightly napped appearance rather than smooth suiting cloth.
1 region
x 0.12 · y 0.12 · w 0.76 · h 0.68 (medium) - Check patternLarge grid check formed by lighter horizontal and vertical lines creating square blocks; grid lines are evenly spaced across the back and sleeves.
1 region
x 0.07 · y 0.08 · w 0.86 · h 0.76 (high)
Other
Studio-style product shot showing model from the rear against a plain light background; model wears blue denim jeans which are partially visible.
- View and compositionRear-facing model cropped at mid-thigh, centered in frame with even studio lighting and soft shadowing behind.
- Visible garment on modelBlue denim jeans are visible from the waist down and overlap the blazer hem, indicating the blazer is worn by a model rather than laid flat.
1 region
x 0.20 · y 0.72 · w 0.60 · h 0.26 (high) - Image qualitySharp focus on garment with neutral white background; no visible packaging or labels apart from the garment itself.
Colors
dark charcoal· main fabric#302F34light grey· grid lineslight beige accent· accent check linessilver metallic· cuff buttons- Back shape and seamsFitted rear with vertical princess seams that taper at the waist and flare slightly toward the hem; seams visible across the back forming a contoured silhouette.
Documents & Data
Q&A
3 answered- How does the sizing run for this blazer? Is it true to size or should I size up for the fitted silhouette?
- The Duchess Checkered Blazer is designed with a fitted, cinched silhouette. We recommend ordering your usual size for the intended fit. If you prefer a slightly looser look, sizing up is an option.
- What is the recommended care method for this wool-polyester blend? Is professional dry cleaning required, or can it be hand washed?
- Given the wool-polyester blend shell and cupro lining, professional dry cleaning is recommended to maintain the fabric's structure and finish. Hand washing is not advised for this type of blazer.
- Is the check pattern woven into the fabric or is it printed/applied on the surface?
- The product description refers to the check pattern as a 'nostalgic print,' indicating it is printed/applied on the fabric surface rather than woven into the weave.