The 2nd seems trendier with the suede, but I havent a clue. I would be purchasing black.
I like the first one. If it’s for something where he’s going to be around people older than him, go for the more traditional (not trendier) option.
That micro suede strikes me as something that would easily get dirty, wouldn’t wear well, and not work for formal occasions. I wasn’t aware a suede sports jacket was “trendy.” It just seems strange and not practical to me.
The moment a raindrop falls on that second one, it’s ruined. Just no on that one. A suede coat like that is for the guy who has several coats and wants a fresh look. It’s not at all a basic. The first one is more akin to a little black dress.
Don’t be overly impressed by the Ralph Lauren name, though. That level of RL is fine for your purposes but it’s not super high quality or anything.
Thanks. He doesn’t own a sports jacket, and I know sometimes he would like to be just a tad more dressed up…I want something he can wear with jeans or khakis. He tends to favor black in the past but he might be veering away from that a little. I saw that because he asked for a outerwear javket in olive. He has the darkest brown hair you can have before blavk, he is very light olive skin. Should I stick with black or branch out?
Definitely the first one.
Personally I think a navy blue jacket is most versatile to wear with khakis for an instant dress up. Or potentially a charcoal gray. But that’s just my personal taste.
Honestly I would have him go with you and have him try some jackets on. Even though I know my 21 year old’s size
I would not buy him one without him trying it on because the same size sport jacket can fit differently depending on the style. If you were talking about a winter jacket then yes but not a sport jacket.
Everyone is right. The suede is going to look shabby fast, and isn’t appropriate for all occasions. So if these were the only two options in the world, I would go with the first. I’m not certain the first one will look great with jeans, though – I would be looking for something navy blue or dark grey rather than black. I also would wonder about anything that was 100% "microfiber"polyester and rayon. With menswear, if it isn’t mainly wool, there’s a good chance it will look cheesy.
And MichiganGeorgia is right – you gotta try 'em on and see how they look… Buying a first sports coat or blazer online could be a long process of orders and returns.
I think navy is more versatile especially with jeans and khakis. Microfiber suede will not be ruined at all by water (it’s usually washable). It may be a very nice choice. Take your son with you–jackets fit so differently.
I wouldn’t buy anything that wasn’t all or mostly wool.
I think a navy wool blazer is classic and will look the best with jeans and khakis. My husband has a couple of navy blue sports jackets from years ago that still look great when we go out and he wants to be a bit more dressed up.
The cut on the first one is totally out of style. If they are wearing a sportcoat at all, young guys wear them much shorter and tighter. I’d take him to a nice mid range store like Hugo Boss and get a salesperson to guide you toward what is fashionable and what looks good on your kid. They often have deep discounted sales and even if you dont buy there at least you will get a sense of the cuts that are in style.
Depends on the build of the guy and his own personal tastes. A more “fashionista” guy, especially one on the slim side, might wear it shorter and tighter. I myself don’t have a fashionista son at all, so we go with classic Brooks Brothers for him and ignore trends.
No one in our family wears brown much at all, so I don’t buy that color. Both S and H prefer navy, black or dark grey over navy and I’d buy him all those you think he may like and be prepared to return the ones he doesn’t like. I did that previously with both slacks and a different year coats. Turned out NONE of the dozen slacks or the 4 coats fit him properly, so I ended up returning ALL and he just bought what he preferred. I gave him cash both years, but he had clothes to try on under the Christmas tree. 
I’d suggest a store like Nordstrums over a store that sells just one brand, like Polo or Hugo boss. My son did get a Boss suit at Nordstrums, but not before trying on many. My son is not a shopper. His cousin would visit all the individual stores.
Brown just screams late 1970s to me. But maybe it’s rolled around again. 
My son used to like to wear a jacket with jeans (he picked them up at Goodwill), but now that he has to dress up for work, he dresses down at home.
I am not impressed with either of the coats - they are synthetics (unless this is this something he wants - ?). For a little more, you can get a wool coat (if you have to go with RL):
I want to buy it for him for Christmas as a surprise gift…knowing there is major chance it will be exchanged. Mits just that everything else he had already told me he wants, so I think it’s nice to have one surprise. He doesn’t like his things full…but he has put on weight and has never been slim anyway. He works out so has nice biceps and triceps, a more barrel chest…he’s not small upper body. But he has put weight all around his trunk. I know he likes slim cuts, but don’t think they would fit him.
I did but my true slim cut son a relaxed navy blue sports coat at H&M for 50% off…$30!
Maybe I should do Navy too for DS 1. I’ll stick with wool or wool blends.
Brown isn’t in style, but wheat or camel is.
If you were to buy one dress for yourself as a woman, you’d buy a little black dress because it could be dressed up or down and is always appropriate. A classic navy jacket / blazer is the same concept. If you’re only buying one, get something that will always be appropriate.