Today, I’d like to share with you three outfits that some of you may initially find a bit formal. The Double Breasted (DB)suit is poised for a comeback and this could be the first year you start seeing DB’s in stores you frequent.
The DB was a major style of dress prior to WW II. After WWII, ready-made fashions dictated that single breasted take over as they were easier to manufacturer.
The DB is dressier than a single-breasted jacket, for certain. Traditionally, lapel button holes were cut into each lapel to provide balance, and to allow for buttoning either side on a cooler day. Europe has dropped the right lapel hole, as have most manufacturers in the USA. (Consider requesting double lapel holes if you use a custom clothier)
Most DB’s have six buttons on the front, two of which work (plus an inside button that must be buttoned when buttoning an exterior button.) You button either the top…or bottom button…but never each.
From a sizing perspective, a DB works equally well for shorter, regular and long men. On a shorter man, if he buttons the lower button, the uninterrupted lines of the lapel create the illusion of more height. The corollary is that if a taller guy buttons the top button, this breaks up the length of a tall man, providing better balance.
Here are three of my favorite DB looks:
Gray wide stripe DB with buttonholes to match the pearl stripe. A blue/black rope check shirt with a complementary red/blue striped tie pulls this outfit together!
Chocolate Brown with medium blue stripe paired with a textured blue shirt and earth tone/blue plaid tie (very popular this season!) create a difficult-to-find acceptable brown suit!
Elegant, yet simple, black and white birdseye shown with a black mini-stripe shirt and charcoal and lavender paisley tie. This would look great with a black pair of pants for a more casual look also…
Please let me know if you have any questions of comments about these ideas. Click on the following link to respond. Link to Contact Vince Rua
Good luck with your Fall wardrobe updates and stay tuned for other interesting ideas I brought back from the shows in NYC!
Regards,
Vinnie Rua- Founder, Christopher’s Custom and President, Suits For The Cause, Inc.