Buttoning your jacket

[Mike in Seattle]

On an SB, could it be as simple as not buttoning the lower is a means of not accentuating the "middle age spread" so to speak, and passing that off as the way they're supposed to be worn? If so - why put the button and buttonhole there in the first place?

 

[avedwards]

I think we're all getting too fussy with these rules. Whilst most SB 2 button suits should only have the top button fastened there will always be exceptions which will be cut to be fastened differently. The same applies for whether to unbutton it when sitting down or not. My 60s 2 button suit hangs perfectly when I keep the top button closed as a result of being very fitted and having high armholes (the only time I ever unbutton it is when I'm too hot).

As for DB jackets, I think it depends on the wearer's preference and on the cut. Most DB jackets with two functioning buttons are made to have at least the top one buttoned at all times. However, those with only one functional button (either 4 on 1 or 6 on 1) are sometimes cut so that they hang well when unbuttoned, which can be seen in a number of 80s and 90s films. I have a number of 4 on 1 DB jackets which I will button when standing but sometimes unbutton when sitting down, especially when wearing a waistcoat underneath. My 4 on 2 DB jacket (vintage) is permanently buttoned though, as it is cut that way.

My only really big problem with people not buttoning their jacket is when it comes to 6 on 2 DB jackets. I see a lot of businessmen walking around wearing these suits unbuttoned and they just flap around and give the impression that the wearer has no idea how they are supposed to be worn.

 

[Edward]

My only really big problem with people not buttoning their jacket is when it comes to 6 on 2 DB jackets. I see a lot of businessmen walking around wearing these suits unbuttoned and they just flap around and give the impression that the wearer has no idea how they are supposed to be worn.

I've seen any number of men doing the same round London. Usually it's those of a more... rotund appearance; the impression they give is that they are attempting to hide their gut by wearing a db open in the belief that it will look something like a sb worn open on a much slimmer fellow.

 

[avedwards]

I've seen any number of men doing the same round London. Usually it's those of a more... rotund appearance; the impression they give is that they are attempting to hide their gut by wearing a db open in the belief that it will look something like a sb worn open on a much slimmer fellow.

But those like us who know their suits know it just looks wrong. I find it's even worse on slim people because there's more cloth which is able to flap around. The rotund people may be able to get away with the look if they wore a 6 on 1 DB suit like their 80s counterparts. Or if they wanted to be very classy they could get a well tailored DB suit like Sidney Greenstreet.