how to button a suit jacket

in stitches · Nov 23, 2010

i was always told with a single breasted jacket that the bottom button is always to be left unbuttoned, but lately in pics advertisements and on more and more people i see them buttoning all 2, 3 or 4 buttons. what is the correct way to do it?

nmprisons · Nov 23, 2010

I have noticed the same, but just assumed that the button-all-the-buttons crowd were clueless (except in those rare occassions where the garment was specifically made to be buttoned in that manner).

L.R. · Nov 23, 2010

Stick with just the top button. I do up the bottom one on a couple of my jackets, simply because they look better on my frame. But generally the rule is to let the bottom one hang open.

RSS · Nov 23, 2010

Originally Posted by in stitches

i was always told with a single breasted jacket that the bottom button is always to be left unbuttoned...
As a wearer of single button coats ... and of the unbuttoned look ... this makes sense to me.

GBer · Nov 23, 2010

I've always been told to button only the middle button for a 3 button jacket and keep the others open.

Archivist · Nov 23, 2010

Jesus wept

Metlin · Nov 23, 2010

http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?p=913897

GBR · Nov 23, 2010

Centre ONLY on a three button, top IF YOU MUST on a two.

Never fasten them all - it looks stupid and is a signal to anyone else that you do not wish to talk with them.

RSS · Nov 23, 2010

Originally Posted by GBR

Centre ONLY on a three button, top IF YOU MUST on a two.

Never fasten them all - it looks stupid and is a signal to anyone else that you do not wish to talk with them.
That is accomplished much more aesthetically with a raised palm ... small finger and thumb slightly separated from the middle three. This is the universal sign to back off.

idfnl · Nov 23, 2010

The rule is basically bottom button undone on all jackets, unless its a single button. The trend of wearing jackets that way is just a dumb fad and should be ignored. Stick with the classic way of doing it and you will avoid standing out in a way you dont want to stand out. Should you choose to button them all, accent the look by holding a big drink with an umbrella.

Jay · Nov 24, 2010

To be more specific, the top button on a 2-button jacket should be buttoned when standing/walking and the middle button on a 3-button jacket should be buttoned when standing/walking. Your jacket should be unbuttoned when sitting.

RedScarf7 · Nov 25, 2010

Originally Posted by in stitches

i was always told with a single breasted jacket that the bottom button is always to be left unbuttoned, but lately in pics advertisements and on more and more people i see them buttoning all 2, 3 or 4 buttons. what is the correct way to do it?

Lol, wut? 4 buttons?

dragon8 · Nov 25, 2010

Originally Posted by GBer

I've always been told to button only the middle button for a 3 button jacket and keep the others open.

This supoposedly is the correct way.

Ianiceman · Nov 25, 2010

Originally Posted by dragon8

This supoposedly is the correct way.

Nope. In descending order for a three button jacket, the buttons should be fastened:

Sometimes
Always
Never

Always unbutton them all when sitting. Most of my jackets are three button and I like the look of the top two fastened. A three button with the top unfastened has an 'unfinished' look to my eye with a gap at the apex where the lapels look like they should meet but don't quite make it. I realize I am probably in a minority here but life and the SF would be boring if we all thought and dressed the same.

hypostatic · Nov 25, 2010

Originally Posted by RedScarf7

Lol, wut? 4 buttons?

how to button a suit jacket

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