Sportcoats and Suits: Buttoning the bottom button

[neminat]

I am not sure what is going on, but I am constantly seeing young and grown men buttoning the bottom button of their jackets on my social media feeds.

Im starting to think there is a style trend I dont know about. Is this a thing or are that many men not teaching our boys the formalities of a jacket?

Serious question though - is this a thing?

 

[lfd75]

I see it all the time too. I think it’s due to young people not being taught.

 

[tweedlover]

I see it all the time too. I think it’s due to young people not being taught.

You actually see young people, (or anyone), wearing a suit or sport jacket? Pains me to say that I think it's been several years since I've seen a guy wear one in public. That might have even been me.

 

[johng70]

I agree - they aren't being taught. At a family funeral last year I had to help my nephews out about suit jackets - one still had the stitching on the vent and label on jacket sleeve and none of them knew how to button.

 

[Tried and True]

The second button rule has an exception…..

 

[rjc149]

3 button:
Top: sometimes
Middle: always
Bottom: never

2 button:
Top: always
Bottom: never

I only fasten the bottom button when the jacket is worn under a coat in freezing cold weather, for the additional warmth. 15*F weather allows some liberties. Otherwise, it's improperly dressed. Like mismatched shoes and belts. Then again, I once knew a guy who wore different shoes on each foot. I asked him why, and he answered "it's my thing now." Modern social media compels many young people to "brand" themselves in any way that will generate attention to themselves.

 

[neminat]

The second button rule has an exception…..

I didnt realize this. What is a paddock jacket for? Looking at it, i would just think its from Mens Warehouse and cut terribly lol.

 

[bicycleradical]

I know a fair amount of men who are unaware how a jacket ought to be worn. One of my former coworkers was wearing a jacket around with both buttons fastened. I gently explained that it was better with one buttoned and why. He was grateful for the clarification.

A while back, I saw one of my neighbors wearing a 3 button jacket with all three buttons fastened. It was brutal.

Another coworker has his jacket sleeves too long, covering close to half his hand. I tried suggesting that he could get it altered and he blubbered some reason why there was no need that I couldn't understand.

These are all middle aged men however I can't blame them. I only learned because tailoring began to interest me and I sought out the knowledge. There aren't people teaching young men how to wear tailored clothing.

 

[maxalex]

The buttoning point of a jacket can vary and is partly governed by fashion trends. Today most jackets have a relatively low buttoning point, and the top button should be the only one fastened.

But there was a time when buttoning points trended higher, which alters the equation.

I have several jackets that were made for me by an elderly tailor in Sicily who still puts the buttoning point high, in the traditional Sicilian way. On those jackets, I often use the bottom button and leave the top button unfastened. Whether it’s “wrong” or not is of no concern to me; I rather like the sprezzatura appeal. But I would not do that on a more contemporary cut.

 

[Lev Vyacheslavovich]

This should help, what you see on social media, are people who don't know the basics.