Vents..how many

hklouis · May 24, 2005

being fairly new to this forum, i must apologise if this topic has been touched upon before...

what i want to know is how many vents (0,1, or 2) should a formal suit jacket have. is this subject purely to trend, or does occassion (and perhaps cut and colour) factor into consideration?

looking at the suits that i have worn recently, they are all single vented...is this the current norm?

Manton · May 24, 2005

There is no norm. Â There is something of a geographical preference (Americans = center, English = side, Italian fashion = none, Italian classic = side, Other Europeans = none) but even that is far from monolithic.

I think it is safe to say that more sophisticated dressers (or, less charitably, men with an unhealthy obsession with clothing) prefer side vents. Â This was not always the case -- no vents used to get the nod. Â It used to be somewhat rare to see side-vented coats made ready-to-wear, but they are now so ubiquitous that some people are getting sick of them. Â Center vents I think have always been in third place.

Personally, I always get side vents. Â I like the way they look, and I like the way they perform.

johnnynorman3 · May 24, 2005

What do you mean "formal suit jacket"? Are you talking about a tux? If so, then either none or side -- never center. No vents probably more formal. If you are talking about a normal suit coat, then just say "suit coat." No need to pigeonhole the suit by calling it formal.

See Manton's answer. Over time, I've found I favor double vents, more for functionality than looks (though I like the look as well).

Panzeraxe · May 24, 2005

If by 'formal suit' you mean a biz suit I would opt for the side vents - they look better than the other two options (though I hate how RTW manufacturers are adding side vents and ticket pockets to their jackets).

Panzer

hklouis · May 24, 2005

sorry..did not mean tux...
i mean..as you put it 'suit coat'...
i used 'formal' as to not to confuse with 'not so formal' suits as worn in the Miami Vice tv series....not sure if anyone remembers that show...

johnw86 · May 24, 2005

How many vents? No more than 2.

bch · May 24, 2005

2 or 1, in order of preference. Hate non-vented coats since they are less comfortable when sitting or when putting hands in pockets.

Alias · May 24, 2005

I don't like single-vented jackets for some reason. Maybe it's because, to me, the single vent visually interrupts the back. Or maybe it's because I've seen too many single-vented jackets with badly done waist surpression, so that the single vent gapes open.

Luc-Emmanuel · May 25, 2005

There is no norm. Â There is something of a geographical preference (Americans = center, English = side, Italian fashion = none, Italian classic = side, Other Europeans = none) but even that is far from monolithic.

It's been a while since I saw an "italian fashion" jacket with no vents. Maybe it's the "italian fashion" sold in the US.

.luc

RJman · May 25, 2005

Quote:

(Manton @ May 24 2005,06:23) There is no norm. Â There is something of a geographical preference (Americans = center, English = side, Italian fashion = none, Italian classic = side, Other Europeans = none) but even that is far from monolithic.
It's been a while since I saw an "italian fashion" jacket with no vents. Maybe it's the "italian fashion" sold in the US. .luc
Ventless Eyetalian = definitely somewhat of an 80s thing -- I think the estimable Bruce Boyer mentions it in his fantastic fin-de-decennie book Eminently Suitable.

mack11211 · May 25, 2005

Most people on the board actually prefer the triple [center and side] vented jackets, which are especially cool in the summer.

Few will admit it of course, until you post a picture of yourself in a triple vented model. Â Then you'll be 'in the club.'

ATM · May 25, 2005

Most people on the board actually prefer the triple [center and side] vented jackets, which are especially cool in the summer.

Few will admit it of course, until you post a picture of yourself in a triple vented model. Â Then you'll be 'in the club.'

There's room for two more in the front too.

Vents..how many

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