How to Button a Suit

Men's suits must be buttoned a certain way in order to preserve the line and proper fit. Because a properly made suit has extra buttons for visual accent, a suit is never meant to have every button closed. This is a list of different ways to button various types of suits as recorded by men's fashion expert Ben Silver.

Instructions

1. For a single-breasted, American-cut suit with three buttons, fasten only the middle button on the jacket. Leave the other two undone, since fastening them will affect the fall of the lapel.

2. For a single-breasted, British-cut suit with two buttons, button only the second button of the jacket. According to Silver, "The stance of the fastened button is to the waist for a longer, more graceful look than the American suit jacket."

3. With double-breasted suits, "This style buttons one, second from the bottom button, out of six front buttons," Silver notes. Don't close all of the buttons.

4. Leave the jacket cuffs buttoned at all times if they have working buttons. This applies to all jacket styles.

5. If the suit has a vest, fasten all but the last button of the vest.

Tips & Warnings

• It's acceptable for men to unbutton their jackets when sitting. However, it should be closed again when standing if worn closed before sitting. If in doubt, leave the jacket buttoned. Single-breasted styles may be worn unbuttoned as a style variation.

• A double-breasted jacket must be buttoned at all times for proper wear and drape.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Ben Silver: Suits and Jackets
• Style Guy: Suits and Blazers