Is Tom Ford right?

[othertravel]

I read a Tom Ford interview recently where he said that men should never unbutton their suit jacket, even when sitting down. The more practical advice on the forum is to unbutton when sitting down.

Any thoughts on this Tom Ford musing?

 

[ter1413]

He is right...for the most part! I unbutton when sitting and boaning!

 

[bourbonbasted]

Ah this old chestnut. I'm fairly sure wars have been fought over less.

IMHO this is completely up to the wearer of the jacket. If you have a jacket that fits well there shouldn't be an issue sitting with it buttoned. However, a buttoned jacket gives an air of formality that I feel that Mr. Ford constantly strives to maintain with his suits. It balances out his (often deeply) unbuttoned shirt and has become his signature look.

Inversely, however, Sid Mashburn will tell you that buttoning one's jacket makes you look as if you are trying way too hard. According to him clothes should be comfortable, personal and, above all, not look too perfect.

I tend to be in agreement with Mr. Mashburn's take on the situation. Unless I'm in a tux or an interview suit (which are both rare) I like to be comfortable and look natural. I enjoy my clothes and enjoy having fun with/in them so I'd rather fly the far-more-approachable unbuttoned flag.

 

[Testudo_Aubreii]

I think bourbon is right about how TF often wears his suits: if you're going for the open shirt collar look, showing a lot of chest, then keep the coat buttoned at all times.

The problem with leaving your coat unbuttoned while standing is that the fronts will fall down and away over your hips. That turns the triangle silhouette of a buttoned coat into a rectangle. That doesn't matter if you have good shoulders and a good chest and a tight waist, like George Clooney; it does matter if you don't.

Obviously, those aesthetic concerns have to be balanced against social perception concerns, as bourbon rightly says. Many people are bothered by men who look good in their clothes.

 

[yachtie]

DB yes, SB no.