Men button and unbutton suit coats for tradition, comfort, and style, primarily to avoid fabric strain, wrinkles, and a distorted fit when sitting, while maintaining a sharp look when standing, following rules like leaving the bottom button undone and unbuttoning all when seated. This practice stems from historical figures like King Edward VII and ensures the suit drapes correctly and looks more flattering.
Why: Comfort and posture: Unbuttoning prevents the jacket from pulling across the torso, which preserves a natural, relaxed posture and avoids an ill-fitting appearance. Appearance: A neatly unbuttoned jacket lies flat and keeps lapels aligned, preventing fabric strain or wrinkles that look unprofessional.
Suit jackets should always be unbuttoned when sitting, and the bottom button on a single breasted jacket should never be buttoned.
The "5 suit rule" is a men's style guideline, popularized by Steve Harvey, suggesting that owning five essential suits—black, navy, gray, brown, and tan—allows you to create numerous outfits (often cited as 75+) by mixing and matching the jackets and pants with basic shirts (white, cream, powder blue) for maximum versatility. It's a strategy to build a foundational wardrobe with versatile pieces that can be combined to form many different looks.
Don't Button the Bottom Button
It's a timeless rule: never button the bottom button of your jacket. This tradition dates back to the early 20th century and is followed to maintain the natural drape of the jacket and ensure a flattering silhouette. Even if your suit has multiple buttons, leave the bottom one undone.
Additionally, in more casual settings, leaving the jacket unbuttoned can create a laid-back, approachable look. However, for formal occasions or when first meeting someone, keep your jacket buttoned while standing.
As you probably guessed, this rule is primarily for 3 button jackets. You can start by fastening the top button “Sometimes” as a personal preference when the middle button is also fastened. The second or middle button should “Always” be fastened, and the last or bottom button should always remain open.
The general rule for buttoning vests or waist coats is to always leave the bottom button undone. This tradition dates back to King Edward VII, who unbuttoned his vest due to his expanding waistline. Buttoning all the buttons on a vest can create an uncomfortable strain on the fabric and restrict your movement.
The best practice is to unbutton the jacket when sitting, ensuring the suit maintains its shape, avoids unnecessary wrinkles, and provides better comfort. It's a small detail that makes a big difference in your overall appearance and the longevity of your suit.
Select classic notch lapels and avoid shiny fabrics that signal cheap construction. Invest in quality dress shirts made from 100% cotton in white and light blue. Choose sophisticated ties that complement your suit color and avoid novelty patterns. Wear proper dress watches with simple dials and leather straps.
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Suit and sport coat sizes have one number and one letter (for example, 38S, 40R, 42L). The number is your chest measurement and the letter refers to the jacket's length ' short, regular or long.
These suits are a true reflection of Steve Harvey's impeccable style. Known for his captivating smile and undeniable sense of fashion, Steve Harvey was approached by a suit manufacturer to create a line of menswear suits that embodied his signature wide leg style and love for double breasted suits.
Top or bottom button suit? The two button suit rule says you should button the top button while the button on the bottom is left open. Like every other type of suit jacket design, this style exudes a timeless and bold look. This can also be seen in how designers cut the suit to accommodate this style.
For a formal look, a dress shirt is the best choice. T-shirts or polo shirts will be more appropriate for a smart casual look.
No jacket necessary.
Once the cocktail hour is over and you're finished mingling, it's acceptable to take off your jacket and drape it over the back of your chair before you sit down. This will give you a bit more freedom to move and reduce the risk of you ending up with a souvenir on your lapel.
Yes, $200 can be good for a suit if you need it for occasional wear (weddings, interviews) and manage expectations, but it's often a polyester or poly-blend, machine-made suit with basic construction, meaning it lacks breathability, durability, and a premium fit compared to higher-end suits. It's a great budget starter, but don't expect it to last for daily professional use; expect simpler materials like plastic buttons and polyester lining, which may not hold up well over time.
The "5 suit rule" for men, popularized by Steve Harvey, suggests owning five essential, versatile suits—black, navy, gray, brown, and tan—along with several shirts (white, cream, powder blue) to create a large number of mix-and-match outfits (around 75), ensuring a sharp look for many occasions by swapping jackets and pants.
Typically, oxfords, brogues and derby shoes are the most formal shoes which are commonly paired with suits. More recently, monk straps, chelsea boots, chukka boots, loafers and boat shoes have become popular options, particularly for a relaxed look.