Suit buttoning gripe / query
Discussion
As the title really... one of my colleagues fastened all three buttons of his suit jacket earlier when he left a meeting, which really grated on me as I was always told this was bad form. 
So, what is the accepted button combination to fasten on a 2, 3, 4 button suit jacket? I know what I think is right but I just feel the need to check as I consider myself a 'professional suit wearer', if that makes sense. I don't want to find out I've been doing it wrong all these years
So, what is the accepted button combination to fasten on a 2, 3, 4 button suit jacket? I know what I think is right but I just feel the need to check as I consider myself a 'professional suit wearer', if that makes sense. I don't want to find out I've been doing it wrong all these years
johnfm said:
Never do the bottom button. It was deemed a huge insult to Henry VIII (the fat f
ker) because he couldn't see his toes, let alone fasten the bottom button of his olde worlde clothes.
Did he need to buy two tickets for a journey on his carriage??
Not sure about that, I heard the same about one of the king Georges and waistcoats...ker) because he couldn't see his toes, let alone fasten the bottom button of his olde worlde clothes.Did he need to buy two tickets for a journey on his carriage??
johnfm said:
Never do the bottom button. It was deemed a huge insult to Henry VIII (the fat fker) because he couldn't see his toes, let alone fasten the bottom button of his olde worlde clothes.
Did he need to buy two tickets for a journey on his carriage??
I think you're confusing Kings and garments.ker) because he couldn't see his toes, let alone fasten the bottom button of his olde worlde clothes.Did he need to buy two tickets for a journey on his carriage??
King Edward VII, whilst Prince of Wales, (the fat b
d) couldn't do the bottom button of his waistcoat up. His courtiers took it as a style 'initiative' and followed suit, hence it becoming 'the' way to button a waistcoat.You don't button the lower button on a suit because the jackets are not cut in such a way as to hang properly when that button is done up. You'll get a 'pull' in the fabric.
Edited by V8mate on Thursday 25th September 22:55
Bee_Jay said:
johnfm said:
Never do the bottom button. It was deemed a huge insult to Henry VIII (the fat fker) because he couldn't see his toes, let alone fasten the bottom button of his olde worlde clothes.
Did he need to buy two tickets for a journey on his carriage??
Not sure about that, I heard the same about one of the king Georges and waistcoats...ker) because he couldn't see his toes, let alone fasten the bottom button of his olde worlde clothes.Did he need to buy two tickets for a journey on his carriage??
king king is a fat fking king!!Indeed. It has to do with the suit jacket's origins in the military coat, which was cut so that the bottom button had to be left undone for riding, and grabbing one's sword.
Now Dinner Jackets are a different thing altogether, descended from the tailcoat, which is why they are the only single-breasted jacket that should have peaked lapels. And not just be a hired lounge suit with satin facings. The single button on a classic DJ will actually button through from behind the buttonhole so that the two sides do not overlap, but butt together.
King Edward VII, whilst Prince of Wales, (the fat bd) couldn't do the bottom button of his waistcoat up. His courtiers took it as a style 'initiative' and followed suit, hence it becoming 'the' way to button a waistcoat.
You don't button the lower button on a suit because the jackets are not cut in such a way as to hang properly when that button is done up. You'll get a 'pull' in the fabric.
Now Dinner Jackets are a different thing altogether, descended from the tailcoat, which is why they are the only single-breasted jacket that should have peaked lapels. And not just be a hired lounge suit with satin facings. The single button on a classic DJ will actually button through from behind the buttonhole so that the two sides do not overlap, but butt together.
V8mate said:
johnfm said:
Never do the bottom button. It was deemed a huge insult to Henry VIII (the fat fker) because he couldn't see his toes, let alone fasten the bottom button of his olde worlde clothes.
Did he need to buy two tickets for a journey on his carriage??
I think you're confusing Kings and garments.ker) because he couldn't see his toes, let alone fasten the bottom button of his olde worlde clothes.Did he need to buy two tickets for a journey on his carriage??
King Edward VII, whilst Prince of Wales, (the fat b
d) couldn't do the bottom button of his waistcoat up. His courtiers took it as a style 'initiative' and followed suit, hence it becoming 'the' way to button a waistcoat.You don't button the lower button on a suit because the jackets are not cut in such a way as to hang properly when that button is done up. You'll get a 'pull' in the fabric.
Edited by V8mate on Thursday 25th September 22:55
The waistcoat should be buttoned except for the bottom button. The jacket can be fastened on the middle (or top button on a 2 button suit)
It's not so much a set of silly rules these days as the way the garments are constructed. Though the origins behind it all can be quite interesting. The waistcoat was originally mandated by law on the whim of some monarch or other. As were they types of hat the different classes were allowed to wear.
It's not so much a set of silly rules these days as the way the garments are constructed. Though the origins behind it all can be quite interesting. The waistcoat was originally mandated by law on the whim of some monarch or other. As were they types of hat the different classes were allowed to wear.
Edited by londonbabe on Thursday 25th September 23:25
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