When purchasing a suit, whether its custom or off-the-rack, its important to find a cut and style that is up-to-date and proportional for your body type. One of the most common questions men ask us, is whether they should purchase a two-button or three-button suit. There are two factors that come into play when making this decision: proportion and trend.
Proportion:
Ever wondered why you see football players in two-button suits, and basketball players in a three butt on or even four-button suit? Simple, it’s all about proportion.
Height is the most significant factor when deciding between a two-button versus a three-button suit. The biggest misconception of a three-button suit is that it gives the illusion of height; when in fact, it’s the exact opposite. A three-button suit looks best on men who are at least 6 feet or taller, because when the top button of the jacket is buttoned, it rests higher on the chest shortening the v-cut shape of the jacket.
While a three-button suit looks best on tall men, the two-button suit is much more versatile and looks great on men who are tall or short. This is largely due to the button placement of the jacket. On a two-button suit, the top button of the jacket should fall right above your navel, giving you a balanced look while visually elongating your torso.
Trend:
Like skinny ties, pleated pants, and tassel loafers, three-button suits are considered a trend and like all trends, it will go in and out of style over the next 20 years. Currently, three-button suits are considered somewhat dated and are largely substituted for it’s two-button counterpart.
So, next time you’re in the market for a new custom suit, remember proportion and trend, and you’ll be set for making the perfect suit purchase.