Every man needs to own a suit, regardless of whether or not your job requires you to wear one. While it’s important to choose a high-quality suit that’s fitted for your body, there are a few other things to consider when wearing a suit, including the buttons. Today we’re going to reveal 3 tips to follow when buttoning a suit jacket.
Leave Single-Button Jackets Undone When Sitting
While most suit jackets have two or three buttons, some only have a single button — and that’s okay. Many men actually prefer these single-button jackets due to their simplicity. So, what’s the proper etiquette for buttoning jackets with only a single button? Basically, you should fasten the button when standing and unfasten it when sitting. Trying to sit with the button fastened will stress your jacket, possibly causing damage to the fabric (that’s never a good thing). By unfastening it, however, you’ll protect your suit jacket from damage while also preventing the fabric from bunching up.
For Two-Button Jackets, Leave Bottom Button Undone
So, how should you wear a suit jacket with two buttons? With this style, it’s best to fasten the bottom button and unfasten the top button. Whether standing or sitting, this format creates the best possible look without stressing your suit jacket or its buttons.
Some men disregard this unwritten rule by leaving both the top and button buttons of their suit jacket fastened. In doing so, however, they create undue stress on their suit jacket when sitting. There’s no stress created when standing, rather stress occurs when the individual sits. Therefore, you can leave both buttons fastened if and only if you are standing. But if you plan on sitting, even for a short period of time, you’ll want to unfasten your jacket’s bottom button to protect it from damage.
For Three-Button Jackets, Leave Bottom Button Undone and Fasten the Middle Button
Of course, there are also suit jackets with thee buttons. This is probably the most common style in which suit jackets are made. While some men have their own rules regarding which buttons to fasten with this style, most fashion experts agree that the bottom button should be left undone and the middle button should be fastened. So, what about the top button? Well, fastening or unfastening the top button is entirely up to you. If it looks good and you feel comfortable, go ahead and button it.
References:
http://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/advice/a33367/how-to-button-suit-jacket/