Emporio Armani 90’s Houndstooth Piped Crest Blazer

Giorgio Armani's aesthetic is translated into a lighter, more experimental sense in Emporio Armani. While maintaining the elegance of Italian tailoring, it also incorporates playful elements that capture the spirit of the times, and the way it translates trad into mode is charming. Here, we introduce a piece that elevates British-style patterns and school jacket symbols into a Milanese refinement.

A blazer with a detailed pied-de-poule pattern outlined with piping, this exquisite piece.

The entire piece features a fine houndstooth pattern that runs evenly, appearing calm from a distance, but the rhythm of the pattern becomes more prominent as you get closer, adding depth without being too assertive. The piping that runs continuously from the lapel, front placket, hem, to cuffs guides the eye and sharply defines the jacket's outline, infusing a classic pattern with a mode-like tension.

The front features multiple buttons arranged in a vertical line, creating a sleek silhouette that makes the body look well-proportioned, and the pockets are balanced—not too large—giving it a mature expression with a school-inspired design. An EA emblem patch is placed on the chest, with embroidery that creates a three-dimensional effect like molle, adding depth and sophistication that cannot be achieved with print.

The unique added value of this piece lies in the fact that it combines a production background typical of 90s Emporio with a design that symbolizes the mood of that era. The presence of the tag with PRODOTTO DA ANTINEA S.r.l and the Japanese agency name Emporio Armani Japan Co., Ltd. indicates the era before the current labeling system was unified, and the old JIS laundry symbols confirm it as a product from around 1994 to 1999.

The fact that the material is 100% virgin wool also supports the background where Emporio, despite being a diffusion line, distinguished itself through material and craftsmanship quality, resulting in a finish that retains a glossy look without becoming dull while using preppy symbols.

In everyday wear, the value of this jacket is elevated by adding a slight twist rather than just wearing it as plain trad. The emblem's presence sparks conversation, yet the subdued pattern and color scheme make it less conspicuous at work, and it maintains an intellectual mood even in places like restaurants or galleries on holidays. It is a piece that gracefully crosses the boundary between classic and playful.

In terms of styling, pairing a clean shirt with neat slacks beautifully highlights the Milanese preppy style, with piping contours naturally standing out. Another idea is layering a high-quality turtleneck top with a long coat and finishing with leather shoes, which shifts the traditional pattern into a mode context, while the patch design acts as a subtle spice.

Definitely take this opportunity.