There’s a basic rule when it comes to buttoning up a suit jacket: “Sometimes, Always, Never” — if you have a three-buttoned jacket, sometimes button the top one, always button the middle one, and never button the bottom one. In a two-buttoned suit, you should always button the top button and never the second.
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Four-Button DB Jacket
Most suits today are only buttoned on the top one or on both. Traditionally, a double-breasted suit with peak lapels was more formal and all buttons were buttoned at all times. Only when you would sit would you unbutton the bottom one.
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.
The Skinny On A Big King
Because he was too portly to wear suit jackets buttoned at the bottom. Out of respect for their king, English men started leaving their bottom button undone as well. And to this day, well-dressed men don’t use the bottom button on single-breasted suit jackets.
Legend goes that Britain’s Edward VII ― a king with several famous appetites ― grew too large for his suit and had to stop using the second button as a result. Not wanting to embarrass him, others followed. The tradition stuck.
There’s a basic rule when it comes to buttoning up a suit jacket: “Sometimes, Always, Never” — if you have a three-buttoned jacket, sometimes button the top one, always button the middle one, and never button the bottom one. In a two-buttoned suit, you should always button the top button and never the second.
You want to keep things casual
If that’s not what you’re going for, unbutton the top button—no matter whether you’re wearing a shirt on its own or under a jumper or jacket. If you’re prioritising comfort, you’ll probably wear your shirt like this 90 percent of the time.” Browse outfits with casual shirts.
If you have a single button suit or jacket, you should wear it fastened when standing or walking and leave it open when sitting so you don’t pull the fabric.
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.
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.
The top button on these jackets should ALWAYS be buttoned when standing. Unbutton the jacket only when sitting down to avoid creases. Fasten it again as soon as you stand up from your seat. NEVER button the bottom button.
Double-Breasted Suits
Generally, fasten every button except the bottom (but even this is optional; Prince Charles routinely fastens them all for example). Then, leave the suit buttoned until you take the jacket off — whether you’re sitting or standing.
It gives you some much needed mobility and allows a little give so the jacket looks snug and well-tailored (thanks to the fact that you’ve kept the crucial bottom interior button done) but not constricting.
The two-button jacket should never have both buttons fastened. 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.
The King’s ballooning waistline brings us to the first theory on why the last button on a waistcoat is left undone. The Prince of Wales became so fat that he was physically unable to fasten the bottom button of his waistcoat. To follow royal suit, his loyal subjects started unbuttoning too until everyone was doing it.
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.
Amidst a battle, while treating wounded soldiers, the doctors would understandably stain their jackets. The ever practical tailors on Savile Row in London introduced functional buttons on the cuffs of a jacket’s sleeve, so that the doctors could roll their sleeves up when needed.
They are customary with a one-button suit, which lowers the button stance and is ideal for taller men. Therefore, a one-button suit is often recommended for a great look that can fit both casual and formal settings. It’s also good for complimenting a body shape that has a little weight on it.
The same goes for waistcoats (normally 6 or 7 buttons), where we always leave the bottom undone; it’s often difficult to do up in the first place!
right side
Mens’ buttons are on the right side because men have always tended to dress themselves and most men (and women, for that matter) are right-handed.
According to British GQ, the buttoning the top button debate has been running rampant in the fashion world for the last few years. It used to be a definite no-no, especially in the days of suit-and-tie rigidity, but it has emerged as a serious trend.