Overview of Double-Breasted Suit Jackets
A double-breasted suit jacket is a form of formal outerwear that's characterized by a wide, overlapping flaps of fabric on the front, each of which has a two columns of buttons. A typical double-breasted suit jacket, for example, may feature four buttons on each side. However, you generally don't fasten all these buttons. Rather, you may fasten just one or two buttons. It's a classic, stylish look that many men prefer. As shown in the image above, double-breasted suit jackets have wide overlapping flaps of fabric. When wearing a double-breasted suit jacket, you must wrap one side over the other, at which point you can fasten the buttons (some buttons; not all) to secure it in place.History of Double-Breasted Suit Jackets
The double-breasted suit jacket has been around for more than a century, with origins dating back to the 1800s. It became particularly popular, however, during the 1930s when men would wear them as a sign of societal class. Double-breasted suit jackets remained popular throughout the 1940s and 50s. In the 1960s, the single-breasted suit jacket took its place as the preferred style of formal outerwear among men. Today, single-breasted suit jackets are still the most popular, accounting for more than 90% of all men's suit jackets. But millions of men still wear the classic double-breasted suit jacket as part of their formal attire. If you're shopping for a new suit, you should certainly consider the double-breasted jacket style.Single- vs Double-Breasted Suit Jackets
There are also single-breasted suit jackets. While double-breasted suit jackets feature two columns of buttons, single-breasted suit jackets only feature one column of buttons. Single-breasted has become the most common style for men's suit jackets, as it offers a clean, form-fitting appearance. With that said, there are still reasons to choose a double-breasted suit jacket.Benefits of Wearing a Double-Breasted Suit Jacket
One notable benefit of wearing a double-breasted suit jacket is its ability to create a unique appearance that differentiates you from the crowd. With more than 90% of all suit jackets worn in the United States featuring the single-breasted design, you can create a unique appearance by sporting a double-breasted suit jacket. Double-breasted suit jackets are also more formal than single-breasted jackets. Of course, both jacket styles can be worn as part of a two- or three-piece formal suit. Of the two styles, though, double-breasted is the most formal. Because of this, double-breasted suit jackets are often worn for formal black-tie events like weddings and evening parties. It's worth mentioning that double-breasted suit jackets are warmer than single-breasted jackets. This is due to the fact that they feature wide overlapping flaps of fabric. With a greater amount of layered fabric, a double-breasted suit jacket will keep you warmer and more comfortable during the winter than a single-breasted jacket. And for added warmth, you can even choose a double-breasted suit jacket made of a thick fabric like wool. Wool suits, whether single-breasted or double-breasted, are warmer than cotton and linen suits. As a result, many men prefer wearing wool suits during the otherwise cold winter months, while cotton and linen suits are preferred for the cooler months during spring and summer.
