You’re supposed to keep the bottom button undone because that’s how most men’s suits these days are cut. If you fasten the bottom button, your suit is likely to fit more tightly around the hips. This causes the sides to flare out a little bit around your torso, throwing your silhouette out of proportion.
In this post
Regardless, no matter what kind of suit you’re wearing, the bottom button should never be buttoned up. For a waistcoat, there’s a similar rule: always leave the bottom button open.
This means that a man may sometimes button the top button of a three-button suit jacket, should always button the middle button and should never button the bottom button. For a two-button jacket, the rule of thumb is “always and never.” For a one-button jacket, it’s “always.”
The three-button suit comes with a simple rule: “sometimes, always, never.” It means you should sometimes fasten the top button (if you feel like it), always fasten the middle button, and never button the third. Fasten every button save for the bottom button, though even here there is some leeway.
Always. Never” is the easy top-to-bottom way to remember it for a three-buttoned tailored piece. The bottom button is never done up (unless you’re wearing a one-button jacket, obvs).
You don’t have to button it or unbutton it any time, but it usually looks better and helps to slim your silhouette to have it buttoned when you’re standing. Button the top button only, if there are multiple buttons on the jacket.
Secondly, that there was a time when young dandies would sport two waistcoats at the same time so left the top waistcoat’s bottom button undone so that you could see the one underneath. Thirdly, that it is all to do with comfort while in the saddle and to stop the waistcoat rising up the chest while riding.
How do you wear a sport coat?
5 Ways to Wear a Sport Coat
- Accessorize with a sweater or pocket square. Consider wearing a cashmere sweater between your coat and buttondown for a more academic look in the colder months.
- Choose formal pants.
- Incorporate patterns and textures with your shirt and tie.
- Experiment with fabric.
- Try it with jeans.
Buttoning Rules For Single-Breasted Suit Jackets:
These jackets should ALWAYS be buttoned when standing. Unbutton the jacket when sitting down, so that it doesn’t crease. The traditional way to button a two-button jacket is to Always fasten the top button and leave the lower undone.
Yes, by all means, unbutton your suit while sitting. Really, it’s not that big of a deal, tone it down. Of course, feel free to leave it buttoned if that works for you too.
Whats the difference between a sport coat and a suit jacket?
A sport coat is a patterned jacket that coordinates with trousers that are not made of the same fabric or have the same pattern. A blazer is a solid color jacket with contrasting (often metal) buttons. And a suit coat has a pair of pants made from the same fabric/pattern as the coat.
A crisp, open-collar button-down looks right at home under a sports jacket. Shirt. Go with a casual, open-collar button-down. A crisp oxford looks good with a slightly more formal sports jacket, while a denim or chambray button-down goes well with a very casual one.
Your next button, sitting in the middle, is your ‘always’ button. This is the button you should always wear done up when standing or walking. The last button at the bottom of your jacket is your ‘never’ button. The one button you never need to do up, regardless of if you’re sitting or standing.
The traditional way to button a two-button jacket is to fasten the top button and leave the lower undone. The top button on these jackets should ALWAYS be buttoned when standing. Unbutton the jacket only when sitting down to avoid creases.
Keep in mind, however, this is only appropriate with a two or three button suit. A one button suit should always remain buttoned. Leave a blazer’s buttons undone when necessary. A blazer may not always button comfortably.
Do you take your sport coat off at dinner?
Verdict. Taking off your suit jacket at dinner is considered a faux pas for formal dressing. If you’re out on a date or a one-on-one situation, keep it on. If you’re at an event, party or wedding, keep it on.
Loosen up, guys. It’s a well-documented style rule that men should never button the second button of a two-button suit jacket. It’s considered appropriate to button the top one when standing, sure, but never the second.
Always leave the bottom button undone
The golden rule is to leave your bottom button undone. If you fail to do this, get carried away, and button all of the buttons up, than all the time you spent matching your tie, starching your shirt and polishing your shoes will have been a waste.
At its core, the answer’s simple. “Undoing your top button makes you look (and feel) more relaxed. It works perfectly for outfits with casual shirts. But in a formal outfit, like a suit and tie, you’d of course always do the top button up,” says Thread senior stylist Alice Watt.
Is it OK to wear a sports jacket to a wedding?
Answer: You Can Wear a Sport Jacket to a Wedding!
And that’s really what it’s all about – worry less about your wardrobe and focus more on making memories.
Do you have to wear a tie with a sport coat?
Even for more business-casual occasions, if the event is dressed-down enough to forgo the tie with your suit, you’ll typically be better off wearing a sport coat without a tie, as those two style elements better complement each other. However, all this being said, wearing a suit without a tie actually isn’t a bad look.