Suit Jackets - back vents?

[purelook]

Could anyone please explain what are the aesthetical and practical qualities of the different types of back vents in a jacket.

There is a sinlge vent in the center, double vents and jackets with no vents. Is it only a matter of personal taste?

Thanks!

 

[Jovan]

Like pleated front trousers, they're both a matter of taste and practicality. Vents will offer more movement room, but I think they mainly date back to when people started wearing sportcoats on horseback, especially the double vents (which seems like a pretty English feature indeed). Single vents are fine, but double vents lend a more streamlined look in my opinion. I personally would only go without a vent on a double breasted jacket, but that's me.

 

[coachvu]

I think double-vented jackets often make it seem like your butt is sticking out.

 

[Jovan]

Your opinion happens to be wrong.

 

[teddieriley]

Because I got such a big ass, when I wear double vented jackets, if I have nice waist suppression in the jacket, the vents tend to flare open as they rest on my derriere, giving a pear shaped looked.

 

[purelook]

I personally find the single vent more elegant for a single breasted jacket, but I can see why the double vents could be practical too.

How about a single breasted jacket with no back vents?

 

[coachvu]

Originally Posted by Jovan

Your opinion happens to be wrong.

maybe just on me...

 

[GreyFlannelMan]

Was there not a thread about this very subject last week?

In any event, double vents don't work if one has a large bum. I personally don't care for ventless jackets as they tend to scrunch up when one puts his hands in his pockets. If one doesn't do that, then one need not worry.

Single vents I think are fine, but I much prefer the side vents.

 

[Brian SD]

I like both single and side vents, but I can't go no-vent. It really depends on the fabric and the context. Side vents err on the side of elegance, and uniformity, and create more of a contoured back shape (though, like pointed out earlier if you have a big ass it's too much). Single-vents work well on shorter jackets, and have more of an American appeal to them - perfect if like the 60s American "The Graduate" style. Of course this all only applies if you don't mind jumping around between styles. If you're looking for what compliments your shape best, I think double vents work for most. Ventless is incredibly shapeless.

 

[LabelKing]

Th ventless look tends to be characteristic of Italian styles.

 

[Margaret]

Originally Posted by coachvu

I think double-vented jackets often make it seem like your butt is sticking out.

Only if your butt sticks out. That's true of single-vented and unvented jackets as well.

 

[Bradford]

I actually quite like ventless jackets - seems much more sophisticated to my eye...

 

[Lord Byron]

The job of a good tailor is to hide physical flaws, whether it be a large rear or curved spine or too much of a belly. So consider the suit and the tailor, not the vent. If you stick your hands in your pants pockets frequently, as I do, get double vents, and the jacket tail will still hang nicely. Double breasted, two button suits lend themselves to no vents or double vents. Double breasted suits with only one button fronts should not be vented, IMO. Personally, the single vent seems to break the cut in the suit in back, but that's just me.

 

[Dapper Dandy]

As a man with a big butt (damn squats...

), I can say that, in order of preference for RTW suits, I prefer single-vented, then double-vented, and no vents last. Double-vents can be pushed open by a prominent butt, thus never appearing to close. But no vents is even worse, as it pulls the quarters so far away from each other that the look of the suit is frequently ruined.

Lately, I've been wondering if my preference would change if I had something made for me by Chan. Couldn't he adjust the cloth such that there would be room for my butt without pulling the vents? I prefer the look and practicality of double vents if my butt didn't ruin it.

Sometimes I wonder why I spend so much money and time on weight-lifting, which then requires me to spend more money and time on getting clothes to fit properly. Ectomorphs have it easy.

 

[Brian SD]

interestingly, I've seen a Raf Simons suit where the vents are directly on the sides of the jacket, instead of on the back, at about 1/3 from each side.