Which is better, a double breasted jacket or a single breasted jacket? I’m getting some new suits and don’t know which to go with.
Community Answers
282
4-8-12
Geoffrey says:
Neither one’s “better.” The double-breasted look is more unusual and considered a touch more formal — you wouldn’t ever wear it unbuttoned or without a necktie, so it’s less versatile than the single-breasted. There are also a few body types that don’t look so great in double-breasted jackets:
- Short men in general don’t usually want to cover most of their torso up with a double-breasted suit. It tends to make them look squat.
- Very slim men can look overwhelmed by that much cloth on the chest. You need a little bulk to your torso to fill out a double-breasted suit well (though a custom fit can compensate for that.
- Double-breasted suits are ideal for guys with a long torso, especially tall guys who carry most of their height above the waist. It helps balance things out and keeps you less lanky-looking.
So the choice really comes down to how well a double-breasted suit would fit your body and how formal you plan on being. A double-breasted suit is great if you’re going to be wearing it at business functions all the time, but not so great for more casual social wear.
A single-breasted suit is the most versatile, and the jacket can be worn separately as a sports jacket in a way that a double-breasted usually can’t be.
Neither one’s “better.” The double-breasted look is more unusual and considered a touch more formal — you wouldn’t ever wear it unbuttoned or without a necktie, so it’s less versatile than the single-breasted. There are also a few body types that don’t look so great in double-breasted jackets:
- Short men in general don’t usually want to cover most of their torso up with a double-breasted suit. It tends to make them look squat.
- Very slim men can look overwhelmed by that much cloth on the chest. You need a little bulk to your torso to fill out a double-breasted suit well (though a custom fit can compensate for that.
- Double-breasted suits are ideal for guys with a long torso, especially tall guys who carry most of their height above the waist. It helps balance things out and keeps you less lanky-looking.
So the choice really comes down to how well a double-breasted suit would fit your body and how formal you plan on being. A double-breasted suit is great if you’re going to be wearing it at business functions all the time, but not so great for more casual social wear.
A single-breasted suit is the most versatile, and the jacket can be worn separately as a sports jacket in a way that a double-breasted usually can’t be.
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