King Edward
VII, “Bertie”, son of Victoria (1841 – 1910, King 1901 - 1910) was so heavy
that he could not get the bottom button fastened on his vest or to be more
historically kind, maybe he just forgot. His subjects taking it as a
fashion statement followed his lead and today most men’s suits, sports jackets
or blazers are not designed to button the bottom button.
The tradition of not buttoning the bottom button may have also come from the early waistcoats, which were very long. It may have been out of necessity of being able to walk that the bottom buttons were left undone.
The tradition of not buttoning the bottom button may have also come from the early waistcoats, which were very long. It may have been out of necessity of being able to walk that the bottom buttons were left undone.
The bottom buttons of
men’s jackets are not designed to be buttoned, since King Edward VII
gained weight, and started a fashion trend.
Single
Breasted suits can have one, two, three or more buttons. Two and
three button jackets are classic, one or more than three get you into the
fashion forward arena, which is more suitable for social events than business.
With two button jackets only the top button is fastened.
With three
button jackets, you can close the middle, or middle and top button. Some
suits are made so that the lapels roll to the middle button. On those
suits you leave the top button unfastened. Some East Coast hip hop stars
fasten only the top of three buttons!
Four or more
button jackets may be designed to fasten all the buttons, even the
bottom. If the bottom button of a four button can be closed without a
noticeable pulling of the fabric, it’s ok to close or leave it open.
Double
Breasted suits are the more formal of the two styles and can have four to six
buttons with one or two “to button”. They are often identified by a
two-number designation such as 4/2, 4/1 or 6/2 (also “four to two”).
Translated, the first number gives the total number of front buttons and the second is the number of functioning buttonholes. It doesn’t always mean that all the buttons have to be fastened.
Translated, the first number gives the total number of front buttons and the second is the number of functioning buttonholes. It doesn’t always mean that all the buttons have to be fastened.
Often only
the middle or upper button is secured on a 4/2 or 6/2, but the Duke of Kent
started buttoning only his lower button creating a longer diagonal line across
his chest giving the wearer a thinner, more dynamic look.
Stay on point!
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