Men’s Suit Buttoning Rules: Know the Right Way to Button up Your Suits

Last Updated on 2 years by Maya Jayaram

Do you know there are suit button rules while buttoning your jacket?

Shocking? Well, it is true. There are suit button rules to button your jacket. The suits are designed to be fastened in a specific way. Unfortunately, not many know about the rules and hence, do not follow them. 

For a stylish and distinguished look, you need to know the rules. In the following article, we have discussed the suit buttoning rules depending on the different kinds of suits.

Why Should You Button Your Suit in the Right Way?

You might have seen bunching up jackets or popping out buttons. This all shows the ill understanding of suit jacket button rules. The type of suit buttoning rule depends on the style of jacket. When designers design the suit they keep in mind a specific way of fastening. If not followed suit might give the actual look it was ought to and would also not drape properly. 

How to Button the Single-Breasted Suit?

The design of the single-breasted suit is with a column of buttons and a narrow overlap in the middle. The single-breasted suit can have a different number of buttons. The rule for buttoning differs with the difference in the number of buttons. 

1.One-button Suit Jacket

This kind of single-breasted suit has a single button. These suits have longer cuts trailing to traditional evening wear design. One-button suit jacket gives its full look when the button is fastened. A single-breasted suit is different from a double-breasted suit jacket, when suit’s design and button styling is considered. The question of which button to fasten does not arise due to the presence of a single button. 

Always fasten the button while standing. While sitting you can unfasten the button to avoid creasing. 

2. Two-button Suit Jacket

Like the name, these jackets have two buttons. In this type of jacket, always fasten the upper button and unfasten the lower one. The designers cut the jacket in a way that the ideal shape appears when the bottom button is unbound. 

Fastening the lower button tightens your suit around the hips. This gives an out-of-proportion look to your body. While sitting unbuttons both the buttons to avoid popping out of buttons and creases. 

3.Three-button Suit Jacket

The most common men’s suit has three buttons. The suit buttoning rule that applies here is called ‘Sometimes, Always and Never’. This means closing the first button is optional while standing. The second button should always be fastened and the bottom button should never be fastened. 

Fastening the lower button restricts movement and affects the body’s appearance. The middle button should be fastened always while the top one might interfere with the lapel, hence, optional to fasten.   

How to Button the Double-Breasted Suit Jacket?

A double-breasted jacket has two parallel columns of buttons with wide overlapping. When you see a double-breasted jacket, it is always buttoned. They are designed to focus more attention on the top. It is classified depending on the number of suit buttons. 

1.Two-button Double-Breasted Suit Jacket

The number of buttons on a double-breasted suit goes in even numbers. While there is only one column of working buttons. In the case of a two-button double-breasted suit jacket, keep the only working button fastened always. These kinds of suits are not commonly found today. Popular in the 80s they have a 2*1 button and were the least complicated to fasten. 

2. Four-button Double-Breasted Suit Jacket

These kinds of jackets are not popular but are classic whenever worn. The four-button double-breasted jacket is available in two kinds 4*1 and 4*2. The suit etiquette button rule works differently for both kinds. For 4*1, you should fasten only the bottom working button. For 4*2, you can fasten either both the buttons or only the top or bottom. 

3. Six-Button Double-Breasted Suit Jacket 

The most popular double-breasted suits are six-button suits. These jackets have widely placed top buttons giving a more flat silhouette and highlighting the V-shape figure of a man. In the ideal suit buttoning rule, you should always fasten all the buttons in a six-button double-breasted suit. In some cases, you can unbutton the bottom two buttons.

4. More Than Six Buttons

The kind of suit jacket with more than six buttons exists but is rarely seen. Usually seen on formal occasions they do not have all the working buttons. They also have widely placed top two buttons. While fastening you can keep the second button fastened and rest all unfastened. Carefully button the jacket while wearing in the right buttonhole to avoid any unfinished look. 

Suits are the primary preferred garment for a formal or semi-formal occasion. With the growth in the fashion world, various kinds of suits are available in the market. But, the suit button rules are rarely known to the men. Not following the rules can restrict the classic look and give an inappropriate look to the body. Hence, when wearing a suit keep in mind the suit button rules for a classier look.