2-Button or 3-button jacket w. WAISTCOAT

[rcoreytaylor]

Hello Everyone -

Here's my 1st post on this forum.

What is the proper style of jacket to wear when sporting a typical business suit with waistcoat? Is it a classic 2-button or a 3-button? I've heard both are suitable, is this correct?

Thanks for your input.

Cheers!
Corey

 

[Manton]

Originally Posted by rcoreytaylor

I've heard both are suitable, is this correct?

Yes.

 

[Matt S]

Both are perfectly suitable. But since 3-piece suits are more old-fashioned, I feel the more traditional 3-button style works better with a waistcoat.

 

[Anthony Jordan]

As was said above, both styles are suitable, but I personally prefer 3-button with a waistcoat. I think that it looks more natural.

 

[rcoreytaylor]

Thanks for your comments gentlemen.

To shed a bit more light on my situation, I'm planning on purchasing another suit and want it to be extremely versatile (as I travel for work frequently and need to maximize my sartorial presence and minimize my luggage). With this in mind I'm leaning toward a 2-button jacket as this would allow me to use the jacket in a more casual setting - you know, a jacket, collared shirt, jeans and loafers sort of thing - and at the same time be able to dress formally on the same trip.

So with that said, does a 3-button fit that model?

(For reference, I'm a fairly average build; 6' / 190lb / slim but not athletic build)

 

[ManofKent]

A hard 3-button can look great with a vest when worn open.

 

[Anthony Jordan]

Originally Posted by rcoreytaylor

Thanks for your comments gentlemen.

To shed a bit more light on my situation, I'm planning on purchasing another suit and want it to be extremely versatile (as I travel for work frequently and need to maximize my sartorial presence and minimize my luggage). With this in mind I'm leaning toward a 2-button jacket as this would allow me to use the jacket in a more casual setting - you know, a jacket, collared shirt, jeans and loafers sort of thing - and at the same time be able to dress formally on the same trip.

So with that said, does a 3-button fit that model?

(For reference, I'm a fairly average build; 6' / 190lb / slim but not athletic build)

I think it could, when we reflect that many tweed jackets (which are intrinsically relatively casual) are 3-button. I think that the fabric you choose for the suit is going to be more of a determinant of how well this works than the 2-button/3-button question. Of course, Apparel Arts faced up to this question in the 1930s, and I will always cherish their answer, which (I check back on my source to confirm my recollection) was a grey flannel 2-button peak lapel s/b 3-piece suit with a pronounced red stripe, the jacket (and, by implication, waistcoat) being worn with white or grey flannel trousers for the desired casual effect! (It is on p.51 of "Men in Style" if anyone wants to check.

 

[pvrhye]

I think it's a matter of how much waistcoat you wanna show.

 

[DubA169]

^ i agree

 

[rcoreytaylor]

Rather than the amount of waistcoat showing I think my main concern was how the jacket will look when used as a separate (with jeans, khakis, etc.). I like the look of the 3-button with waistcoat but am somewhat afraid that a 3-button may not be as classic as a 2-button (read: I'm not swimming in $ and when I buy an expensive suit I want to believe it'll last las long or longer than I will). So let's change the original question to this (these, as it actually presents 2 questions): 1.) Is a 3-button jacket suitable for casual wear (I think we've already answered this above) and, 2.) Are 3-button jackets now considered as "classic" as a 2-button? (And yes, I realize there is no right or wrong answer - I'd just like to hear your opinoins)

 

[UrbanComposition]

^ both are classic, but have enjoyed their years as fashion's preferred buttoning point.

 

[Agatha Crusty]

The height of the waistcoat matters somewhat. A two-button jacket with a high waistcoat seems to look a bit off. With odd waistcoats I keep different ones for different jackets.

 

[rcoreytaylor]

Thanks everyone for your comments, I appreciate your help. I think I've settled on the 3-button with waistcoat.

Cheers!