Best Double Breasted Suit Guide for Men

Oct 20, 2024

Best Double Breasted Suit Guide for Men

Step up and educate yourself by reading the best double breasted suit guide for men. If suits are more than just clothing you wear, you will appreciate the many details that go into our posts. Aaron Sarfati, CEO of ContempoSuits.com says "This has long been a suit that isn't always at the forefront of style but never entirely goes out of style. They seem to come back every so many years and are worn by men who take their appearance seriously." Read how to wear a double breasted suit here.

Key Takeaways

  • The double breasted suit was invented in the early 1900s
  • The double breasted suit is a more stylish type of suit
  • The Jacket should always be buttoned when standing
  • The Suit style is designed to accentuate your shoulders
  • Alpha Men are particularly drawn to wearing them
  • A basic white dress shirt is perfect. It lets the Suit do the talking
  • A tie that either matches the suit or contrasts it.
  • A small flower pinned to the lapel is also a good choice
  • The Jacket has a slimming effect

Who invented the double-breasted suit?

The Savile Row tailors first introduced Double-breasted suits in the early 1900s.

An English tailor named Frederick Scholte invented the double-breasted suit in the early 1900s. He developed the double-breasted look after seeing naval officer jackets adopt the style. The brass buttons on the front caught his attention and led him to create the suit. The style ended up catching the attention of the Prince of Wales for its look. He was so fond of the look that he hired Mr. Scholte to become the personal tailor of the "Prince of Wales."The style did not take long to catch on because of the Prince of Wales's numerous public appearances.

They became popular among businessmen and politicians because of their practicality and style. This style of the jacket first appeared during the Victorian era. The rows of brass buttons caught the eye visually. They were originally worn by military officers as a sign of status.

Learn about the Types of double breasted suits here.

double breasted striped suit

What is the Point of the Double-Breasted Suit?

The double-breasted suit has been around for decades and they have a tendency to give off a vibe that tells people that you are a man who isn't afraid of being noticed and has a commanding presence. They also have a way of making you look taller and have broader shoulders in a more masculine way that a regular suit does not do.

When is it okay to wear a double-breasted style suit?

A double breasted style suit is okay to wear in just about any setting where a man should wear a suit except in specific office environments such as a bank. It is considered a type of stylish suit, so they are not suitable for many places of business. Independent-minded men generally wear them, so an office may frown upon them.

What are the differences between Double-breasted and regular suits?

The difference between double-breasted and regular suits is pretty striking. One of the first differences between a double-breasted suit and a regular suit is that on a DB suit, the jacket is slightly slimmer in the waist, giving the wearer a more tapered look. The shoulders will also be slightly more padded, giving the jacket a "V" shape, differentiating itself from a classic suit. It has an entirely different silhouette. The jacket length on a double-breasted suit will also be slightly longer than the regular-style suit jacket for style purposes. 

Let's not forget the buttons. On a single breasted style suit, the jacket usually comes with 2 or 3 buttons on the front but they are primarily for closing the coat. On a DB suit, the buttons serve a whole different purpose. Not only are they used for closing the jacket, but they are decorative. The buttons are one of the first things you are going to notice on the jacket followed by the lapel.

The primary difference between a double-breasted suit and a regular suit is the focus on the top of the suit jacket. The designer accomplishes this by designing the lapel the way it looks. On most versions, the lapel is a peak lapel style. The peak lapel design gives the jacket its focus and style compared to a regular suit. There are some versions where the tips of the lapels almost touch the shoulder seams on the jacket. They are meant to be noticed. The lapels are almost an afterthought with little style implemented.

The best reason to wear one is to display your dominance.

When everyone else is wearing a regular-looking suit, your non-conformity shows people that you are the alpha male in the room. You show people that you are not afraid to stand out in the crowd. It lets people know that you are the wolf in a room full of sheep and aren't afraid to take risks.

Best Practices for wearing one.

Once you make your initial plunge, you want to learn how to make your purchase look better. This goes for traditionally store-bought suits. 

It would be best to consider bringing the suit to a tailor and having them do a little work on it for you. Besides having the pants hemmed, you should have some work done on the jacket. I recommend having it fitted for you. The tailor can make some adjustments so that the suit looks tailor-fitted for you. It is one of the best ways to look better in your new purchase. It is money well spent. The second is how you choose your shirt and tie. Since the double-breasted look is stylish, you don't need to wear garish-looking dress shirts. Let the suit speak for itself. You do this by sticking to your standard color dress shirts, either white or blue, that are plain in color. This allows for your suit to be the star of the show. The tie you choose should complement the suit fabric's color and/or pattern. Remember, it is all about the suit jacket.

Is a double-breasted suit slimming?

This style of suit can be slimming on many men for two reasons. The first reason is that on many double-breasted suits, the torso of the jacket may be an inch longer than your traditional single-breasted jacket. Regarding symmetry, this tricks the eye into seeing the wearer look slightly slimmer. 

The wrap front style and oversized lapels give the jacket a slimming look. On a thinner man, this will even make the man appear taller than he is. This trick of the eye happens more frequently if the jacket features a 6-button front instead of a 4-button front.

  • Benefits of wearing a double-breasted style suit?

Style is the main reason why you wear a double-breasted look. It is the type of selection that stands out in a way that attractive women catch the eye of everyone in the room. Wrap-front suit designs have long been worn due to their classy appearance, which stands out from the more mundane single-breasted type. The style and cut of the jacket are the benefits, and it accentuates your physique if you are in decent shape compared to a basic suit. It has a way of making you present yourself as slimmer and taller at the same time. Who does not want to appear slimmer and taller? Another reason to wear one is that it tells people you are an alpha male. A man who leads and commands respect. 

Most men are not confident enough when getting dressed, so they stick to the tried-and-true suit style. A man who has confidence is more likely to dress uniquely and stand out effectively. A double-breasted can be a powerful addition to your wardrobe. The style lends an extra air of refinement that does not come from a single-breasted style suit. You should wear a double-breasted one because they will give you the appearance of broader shoulders with wide peak lapels to which the eye is drawn, as well as a slim waistline. The style of the suit will be a welcome change of pace from wearing single-breasted suits all the time.

The history of the double-breasted style first came on the scene in the mid-1930s and stayed popular until the 1950s. There was a certain defining difference and attitude about how these types differed from your standard style model and how it wraps over. A certain uniqueness that beckons others to gaze upon you and notice that you understand what style is and are not afraid to show it. You can go to any wedding party or special event that calls for dressing up with your collar dress shirts and notice that one man is wearing a Kingsman suit while everyone else is conforming and afraid and is wearing regular style or men's blazers. Men's fashion trends will confirm this. The alpha man is confident in his identity and doesn't need conformity or group approval. It is simple to see why this outfit looks great.

  • Review Key takeaways.

        • 1. Occasion. When you must get dressed and choose a double-breasted, it is important to know the parameters. Is it a day occasion? Is it a night occasion? Does the occasion take place during the Summer, like a Wedding? Does it take place during the colder months?
        • If the occasion occurs during the warmer months and the day, you should consider wearing a lighter color selection. The lighter color is far more favorable and upbeat for a daytime event when you have to dress your best. Think of either a khaki color or a light gray for your needs.
        • If the event is nighttime, wearing a darker suit is what you should strive for. Consider a dark navy number or charcoal color if the event is more formal. Black is also an excellent choice. Either way, know your settings and time limit.
        • 2. Personal Preference. As a man of style, it is important to know what you like. Do you like wearing a solid color? Do you prefer patterned fabric? Do you like all the above? Do you like your choice to have 4-buttons or 6-buttons on the front? Should the button's columns be straight or diagonal style? These are all things to consider. It is good to know what you want to wear or like to wear. You may be in the mood for one or the other.
        • 3. Know your size. A man who wears them is more than likely not a first-timer. Usually, a veteran wears the clothing. If you are new or inexperienced in wearing men's clothing, it is important to know your size. It has been a while since you last wore one. Do yourself a favor and get measured so you know exactly what size to get and do not have to go through the inconvenience of returning and exchanging. Especially if you are shopping online. A well-informed buyer is a smart shopper. It is important to know that the jacket size is how you choose your correct suit size. Not the waist size. Use our easy-to-understand chart below.

    Are double-breasted jacket suits still popular?

    The double-breasted jacket suit is a version that always stays in style. Men's fashion trends have confirmed a significant uplift in this style. What it does is become less popular and then suddenly become a fashionable look again. It is the type of look you will always see at least a few alpha male types wearing to stand out, but every ten years or so, it returns in favor and is seen more often.

    • The Jacket Should be Buttoned While Standing.

    Another big faux pas is to never, and I mean never, wear the jacket open when standing up and walking. If you need to open the buttons while sitting, the moment you get up, it is imperative to properly button the front. Otherwise, you will look simply horrible wearing it. Wearing it unbuttoned gives you a boxy and sloppy presentation, which is the opposite of why you are wearing a suit like this in the first place. It is especially noticeable with French cuff dress shirts. You can wear a single-breasted variant open while standing up. I do not recommend it for this design. You will look wholly UN-done and need to button it up. The form is a particular type and needs to be worn buttoned up. You would never see Prince Charles wearing his not buttoned-up. Those columns of buttons make a statement. 

  • Usually, a veteran wears the clothing. If you are new or inexperienced in wearing men's clothing, it is important to know your size. It has been a while since you last wore one. Do yourself a favor and get measured so you know exactly what size to get and do not have to go through the inconvenience of returning and exchanging. Especially if you are shopping online. A well-informed buyer is a smart shopper. It is important to know that the jacket size is how you choose your correct suit size. Not the waist size. Use our easy-to-understand chart below.
    • Final Words.

      The double-breasted style will suit most men who prefer dressing to impress. The unique look lets you stand out and let people know you don't want to blend into the crowd. If you pay attention to the fit and quality, you can have success looking your best when you wear one.