''Hi Katarina, thank you for your video. I like to wear suits but I have never understood why does the bottom button on a suit jacket need to stay open? Like why is it there then? Thanks!''
C. D.
Dear C. D.,
thank you for your question!
Thank you for your question! I love this question as oftentimes we follow rules blindly without ever questioning their origin.
In today’s 'Ask Katarina' episode, I’ll take you back in time. The legend has it that the habit of keeping the bottom button on a suit undone is the 'fault' of King Edward VII whose growing body weight made it more and more difficult to fit the growing belly into the suit. His royal subjects then followed suit (pun intended) to express their devotion to the monarch. It didn’t take long for the tailors to understand the assignment and start tailoring the suits in a way to make it the most flattering when the bottom button is undone.
Up to this day, suits are designed and cut to fit properly with the bottom button undone. I know some people believe it is a matter of personal preference, but this is not the case. The suit jacket will fit your body the best when the top button is buttoned and the bottom one is undone. If the jacket doesn’t fit, it is not the correct size or fit and not the fault of the buttons.
For a three-button suit the rule is as follows: sometimes, always, never.
I hope you will find my answer helpful!
I wish you a beautiful day,
Yours sincerely,
Katarina
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