The double breasted suit is one of those style items of men that have been the most misunderstood and misinterpreted. It has for long been associated with gangsters, corrupt financial bankers, and particularly suitable for old people.
MenZPOV is here to break this myth to you and bring back the popularity of the double breasted suits through this article and help you find your lost masculinity through this timeless piece of fashion.
History of Double Breasted Suits
Double breasted suit is one of those fashion styles that has continuously gone in and out of fashion at various points in time. The origin of the double breasted suit can be traced back to the 19th century when it was usually regarded as casual outdoor wear for sports and parties. It was known as ‘Reefer Jacket’ because of its nautical background and was in fact banned by many companies and businesses as inappropriate attire because of its too laid-back aura.
The double breasted jacket came to be regarded as a formal attire from the mid-1930s and until the late 1950s, which is known as the golden period of the double breasted suits. It was made hugely popular by Prince George, the Duke of Kent who made various public appearances in a double breasted suit after whom the four-button double breasted suit “Kent” is named. Soon this piece of fashion came to be associated with Mafia bosses, Godfathers, and investment bankers through its stylization by Al Capone.
It soon went out of trend again but returned to popularity in the mid-1980s which lasted till the early 2000s made famous by pop singers and movie detectives before losing its aura because of wide peak labels and heavyweight oversized coats.
What Exactly is a Double Breasted Suit?
A double breasted suit is a kind of coat, vest, or jacket characterized by two or more parallel and symmetrical lines of a button along with overlapping flaps, usually left lapel flapping over the right one.
It consists of one to four rows of buttons and two columns of buttons out of which one is functional while the rest are decorative. Additionally, there is a pair of buttons inside the jacket which helps to fasten the suit more firmly known as an anchor or the jigger.
Single Breasted Suits V/s Double Breasted Suits
In comparison to its counterpart, the single breasted coat, double breasted coat is a bit longer to create an illusion of a bigger torso along with wide lapels to make the chest appear wide and add to the manliness of its look.
The single breasted coat has only one column of a button giving a less formal look as compared to the double breasted jacket. This makes double breasted blazer an integral part of your wardrobe.
Why Wear a Double Breasted Suit?
Wearing the double breasted suit is gaining popularity again because of its slimmer fit, better cuts, and modernized versions to give you the manly and formal look you yearn for.
The wider lapels of the double breasted suit give a broad shoulder style to even skinnier men and the larger number of buttons help the plus-sized men to hide a little of their fat and with the right style, you can emerge looking grandiose.
How to Wear a Double Breasted Suit?
The Correct Fit for a Double Breasted Suit
The classic double breasted suit was extra roomy with very wide lapels, more than normal length, and looser drape. This kind of suit appears to be extremely unattractive giving you an old-school gangster look. What we are aiming at is making your wardrobe versatile with the best-fitted accessories.
The modern double breasted suit aims to be tailor-fitted to your body with trimmed sleeves, natural shoulders, higher armholes, and slim fit to the torso without creating any extra bulk. Make sure that the suit is comfortable around your hips with wide shoulders. Such kind of a suit streamlines your body enhancing your physical features.
The Right Pants with a Double Breasted Suit
The double breasted jacket has been traditionally paired with pleated pants with cuffs but the modern suit can go with a more tailored pant without the pleats and the cuffs to create an even and casual look. The right trousers and pants can give you the extra boldness that you need.
Do Not Button the Bottom
Never button the bottom row of your double breasted suit and always button the middle or the top row of the buttons to create a classic look and to avoid looking like the suit is strangulating you. Make sure to button your anchors or the inside buttons for the extra snugness.
Never unbutton the suit
Always keep in mind the reason why you are wearing a double breasted suit in 2021: to make a style statement. Unbuttoning your suit will breed catastrophic results making you lose that slim and sleek look. Although, you can unbutton while sitting down for your comfort but do NOT unbutton your suit while standing unless you want to look like an old-fashioned wannabe.
Watch Out for Lapels
The main aim to opt for a double breasted suit is to accentuate your shoulders and get an out-of-the-box look. Lapels play a very important role and you should avoid oversized lapels with wide peaks and look for small and ideal lapels as usual for jackets.
Experimenting With Tie
Since you are already going out of the box with double breasted jackets, you are free to experiment with your tie. You can go for a double Windsor knot with flashy colors or you can choose a simple tie with a neutral color to play it cool.
Stylish Cuffs
You can invest in flashy and extravagant cufflinks to make a style statement and get that alpha male look to make all the ladies swoon over you. We recommend going for French Cuffs.
Number of Buttons in your Double Breasted Suit
There are 4 kinds of button combinations which you can wear depending on the occasion:
NOTE:
The first number indicates the number of buttons on the jacket whereas the second button shows the number of buttons that can be done.
- 6×2- This is the most conventional form of double breasted suit which goes with every kind of fabric and is the perfect office attire.
- 6×1- It provides greater freedom of movement with wider lapels for men with more rugged looks.
- 4×2-This is a very rare kind of double breasted suit giving it a more of a sophisticated look and the wearer of the jacket a mysterious persona.
- 4×1- This the least bulky suit out of the 4 types making it suitable for men looking for safe play.
Playing it Simple
The double breasted suit is a style statement in itself and you should try to wear it in a casual way with simple and dark colors avoiding pinstripe patterns and unusual fabric.
Color Combinations for a Double Breasted Sui Jacket
There are numerous color combinations that you can play around with to get some really extraordinary results. Some of them are:
- The navy blue double breasted suit is the most easy-going color which matches with almost any shirt and ties fabric. Pair it with a white shirt and a solid tie to generate the maximum number of oohs.
- The classic grey double breasted coat is something that not many men can pull off but if you can then pair it with a grey trouser and white shirt along with any tie color to create an amazing combination.
- Black coats are best combined with white shirts, black ties and navy blue trousers for a modern style best for weddings and business meets.
- Brown double breasted suits look stunning with beige trousers, light blue shirts, and a tie with a hint of brown.
Different Types of Double Breasted Blazers
- Thom Sweeney- Sweeney’s light brown double breasted suit is 100% wool and fits like a cardigan making it the most comfortable and fashionable winterwear complemented by its luxurious six-button silhouette.
- Reiss- The charcoal color and breezy fit of this double breasted jacket qualify it to be beachwear and the best casual double breasted suit.
- Nanushka- This brown, bronze double breasted jacket has an air of elegance about it with its matte finish and silky smooth texture.
- Balenciaga- This is the best brand of double breasted suits for people aiming for the old 80s look which will instantly make you the most attractive person in the room.
- Gucci- These double breasted suits are for the most flamboyant out there ready to experiment with their styles.
When to Wear a Double Breasted Suit?
Unlike the single breasted suit, the double breasted suits should be saved for days when you want to capture everyone’s attention and do something out of the box. basically, it is for days when you are feeling bolder and braver.
Official Work- The double breasted coat is not suitable for interviews unlike its counterpart, the single breasted suit but it is a good option to mix it with your regular coats to ooze self-confidence as your office attire.
Weddings- You can wear the double breasted blazer for weddings making it the best wedding attire because of its formal and polished look. Pair it with some classy oxfords to give yourself a sophisticated persona.
Date Night- If you want to impress your partner with a unique taste of style and an “I don’t give a fuck” attitude, then the double breasted suits are the thing for you. A black blazer with a crisp white oxford shirt will get you all the secret stares from your partner and you just might end up getting lucky.
Sports- Are you a regular Friday night game watcher? Do you occupy some good seats in the stand? Wear a double breasted suit to turn some eyes away from the game to yourself instead of wearing the boring old t-shirt and denim combination.
Conclusion and Recommendation
The double breasted suit is one of those accessories of fashion that can be revolutionized in the modern world of fashion through tailored cuts and the correct knowledge. Making this a part of your wardrobe will not only add to the weight versatility of your clothes but also give you the self-confidence that you had been yearning for.
The wide lapels and the parallel set of buttons of this timeless piece will add a layer to your masculinity giving you a broader appearance. If you feel bored of wearing those single breasted blazers, then this is is the item for you to add some ‘oomph’ factor.
You do not want to look like those boring men wearing the same suit day in and out without adding any spiciness to their style. You want the limelight all by yourself and this is the complete guide for you to grab that limelight.
In the end, we recommend you go to your most trusted tailor to get your measurements and get a navy blue double breasted suit for your first time. This is something that we highly recommend to you to make the ladies swoon!
