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There is a popular misconception about who can wear a double-breasted suit. The double-breasted jacket has been recommended only for tall men that have a trim figure. The reality is that almost anyone can wear a double-breasted jacket and look sharp as long as the jacket is cut properly. One of the few exceptions will be the person with extremely broad hips. An advantage of the double-breasted suit--especially for the shorter man--is that the peaked lapel forms an uninterrupted line when the jacket is buttoned on the lower button. This diagonal line across the body can make him look taller. The double-breasted suit, with the exception of the shawl-collared dinner jacket, should always have peaked lapels; it can be double vented or not vented. It usually has six buttons on the front of the coat, one or two of which can actually be buttoned. It is usually called "six on one" or "six on two" by the clothiers. Trousers tend to be double- or triple-pleated with one-and-one-half-inch cuffs to keep the bottoms properly weighted for a crisp silhouette. If you elect to wear a double-breasted jacket, you must keep the jacket buttoned except when sitting down. You have a choice of either buttoning the bottom button or the middle button, but never both. Buttoning only the bottom button gives you a longer line and especially flatters the shorter man. The double-breasted suit was very popular in the 90's and has declined in popularity in the new millennium. As corporate attire has become more casual, the double breasted suit is considered more formal than the single breasted. Therefore, when planning your wardrobe, include most single breasted suits - and a few double-breasted suits. When selecting single-breasted suits, choose a three-button style. As Steven J. Barnett, a clothing expert, predicted, the three-button suit for both business and leisure wear is, and will be for the next decade, the best seller. |
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