The answer goes back to a very fat king: King Edward VII. As fashion blogs and magazines will tell you, there’s a story that King Edward VII, back when he was the Prince of Wales and suits were becoming in vogue, got too fat for his waistcoat so he stopped buttoning the bottom button to make it fit better.
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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.
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 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.
Keeping the button fastened maintains a balanced proportion. 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.
What should you not do while wearing a suit?
8 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Wearing a Suit 2020
- Getting the Wrong Sleeve Length.
- Buttoning Your Jacket Incorrectly.
- Settling for the Wrong Trouser Length.
- Going Over the Top with Accessories.
- Forgetting to Remove the Stitching.
- Choosing the Wrong Jacket Length.
- Buying a Jacket with Ill-fitting Shoulders.
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. A bonus of wearing your jacket unbuttoned when sitting is that you’ll be more comfortable and look like a gentleman who knows his style.
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.
No, it’s not an accident on the manufacturing tip, but actually a practical feature. The holes are sewn horizontally so that the buttons can endure more stress from pulling/movement than the others without stretching out the shirt or the hole itself.
Double-breasted suits are pretty easy. 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.
What is 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.
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.
This style also works well for individuals with athletic body types. If you are particularly tall and have felt awkward in a two-button suit, a three-button suit may be more flattering. The top button of this suit will sometimes be buttoned, the middle will always be buttoned, and the bottom will never be buttoned.
Do you take your jacket off at dinner?
The traditional etiquette states that you should keep your jacket on when sitting down for a meal. You shouldn’t remove your jacket unless you absolutely have to, and when you’re wearing it, you’ll want to make sure it’s unbuttoned when you’re sitting.
Should I be able to lift my arms in a suit?
Go to shake someone’s hand. If the suit raises up as you raise your arms, then your armholes are too low. The area around your armpit should snug but not too tight. There should also be enough room for you to wear a dress shirt without it constricting your arms.
Can you wear a suit jacket as a blazer?
The answer is yes—but there’s a proper way to pull the look off. It’s all about finding the right brands, construction, fit, and finish. The suit isn’t a power suit with sharp shoulders and chest padding, The fabric has a more dressed-down feel will ensure a fluid transition from dress-up to dress-down.
Is it OK to wear the same suit everyday?
Wearing your two piece with sportier items will bring out an entirely new identity of your suit, and make you feel different when wearing it, to boot. The only problem with wearing the same suit everyday is that your trousers will wear away pretty quickly if you don’t allow them to rest regularly.
How many suits should a man own?
With this in mind, our foundational recommendation is that every man should own a minimum of three suits: one each in navy, charcoal and black. This combination is appropriate for all occasions. Black is formal and the others are standard business colors that match a multitude of accessories.
Are you supposed to take the tag off the sleeve of a suit?
WEAR THE BRAND, NOT THE LABEL
Even if you want to show off who makes your new designer suit, you must remove brand labels from the sleeve! Get a seam ripper or small pair of scissors and carefully cut the stitches on either side of the label to remove gently. Don’t rip it off, as this could damage the fabric!
How tight should a suit jacket be?
Generally, the bottom edge of a jacket should end between the two knuckles on your thumb. This rule can be pushed a little bit when wearing a casual sport coat because they tend to be a little shorter.
Leave it unbuttoned. It is more comfortable, and makes you look less rigid in the interview. Realistically, it probably makes no difference to the interviewer, but for your own comfort unbutton it.