A 1-Button, 2-Button or 3-Button Suit. Which One Should You Go For?

The button(s) on a suit can make a difference in how a person looks. A One-button suit can make a person look ‘awfully dressed” while a Two-Button or Three-Button can make the same person look more ‘put together’. Let’s talk about this, 1-button, 2-button or 3-button suit. Which One Should You Go For?

1-Button Suit

2-Button Suit

3-Button Suit

I get a lot of style questions from my clients and blog followers regarding Suits. So that’s why sometimes I try to use this medium to answer some of the questions publicly after I must have responded to them privately.

So recently, an ardent reader of MR KOACHMAN sent me this style question below through our Facebook Page.

How many buttons should one go for when choosing a suit? A 1-Button or a 2-Button Suit? Also, are 3-Button Suits really out of style? If they are not, when can they be worn?

I’ll try and answer this question in a bit, but before I do, let me remind you-all of some basics when it comes to suit-buttoning rules. I’ve covered these basics already in a previous article titled How to Button Your Suit Jacket the Right Way. You should check it out.

Read: Suit Buttoning Rules| The 10 Basic Rules Of Buttoning A Suit Jacket

Now, let’s talk about the topic of the day. Here it is again:

A 1-Button, 2-Button or 3-Button Suit. Which One Should You Go For?

Here are the two (2) key things to consider before you decide which one is ideal for you.

1. First, consider the occasions when you need to wear the suit.

• So let’s say it’s an office Suit and your work dress code is strict business formal. Then, a two-button suit is ideal.
• But let’s say it’s an office Suit, but a suit without dress shirt or tie is a norm or generally, your office environment is non-conservative or not so strict, then a one-button suit is okay.
• Let’s say the suit is for an office environment, but you also want to come off as fashion forward or stylish – A one-button peak lapel suit will definitely give you a suave sophisticated appearance without looking too business formal.

Other factors that determine, how formal or casual a suit looks is the lapel style and the jacket pocket style.

 Tip: If you’re going for a more formal business attire, opt for a two-button, notched lapel jacket. 

If you’ve also got a nice shirt and time combo you want to show off, then you need a suit with a lower button stance and deeper “V” and that’s definitely a one-button suit.

 Also Read: Jetted Pockets vs. Flap Pockets vs. Patch Pockets | How Best They Can Be Applied

2. Height should definitely be considered next.

After you’ve analyzed the occasion and the dress code for which you are making the suit, next thing you have to consider is your height or the height of your client (if you are making the suit for a client).

• If you are a short guy, below 5ft7 for example, a one-button suit should always be considered irrespective of the occasion or dress code. This is because it will give you the appearance of being taller. Also, add thin lapels instead of wider ones to give the impression that you’re leaner than you are.
• If your height falls between 5ft7 and 6ft2 [average for most men], you could go for either a one-button or two-button suit depending on the occasion and the dress code as explained above.
• If you are tall, over 6ft2 but less than 6ft5. A two-button suit should always be considered over the other types.
• If you are very tall, over 6ft5, a three-button suit will always be the ideal option for you. This suit button type fits only tall and lanky guys and looks great only when the suit is tailored to fit.

Tip: The three-button suit was very popular back in the 90s and before then, but these days only really tall people should wear them.

When making a three piece suit, you should ensure the button stance is high so you can have a shallower V, revealing less shirt and shorter space between the collar and button. A longer space would make you appear much taller than you are.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Let’s summarize, shall we?

One-button Suit: Wear it in stylish office settings. Also, wear it with classic Tuxedos and peak lapel suits.

Two-button Suit: This is the classic and the basic suit button style most business suit should have. This is also the most common suit button style for most men [most men are of average height]

Three-button Suit: Wear this if you are over 6ft5. Just remember to keep that last button unbuttoned, always.

For other Suit Rules, you should check out the 25 Suit Rules All Men Need To Know.

Do you have any style question about your suit? Are you still unsure if you should go for a one-button, two-button or three-button? Leave a comment below or send us your style question here.

Thank you so much for stopping by! Until next time…continue to do well, live well and dress really well. Be Classy!

Yours in Style,

Kobi O. Mbagwu (Mr. Kobi)
Founder, MrKoachman.com
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Mr. Kobi

My name is Kobi O. Mbagwu, a professional image consultant, menswear style expert, and entrepreneur who uses fashion, style and clothing as key tools in transforming ordinary men into extraordinary classy gentlemen. My personal goal is to help gentlemen dress better, live well, do well and develop a unique personal style that matches their lifestyle and goals. I believe that success can be built through style. I believe that fashion is a tool that can be used to change people’s lives positively. I also strongly believe that if you dress well, you look good, and if you look good, you feel good and when you feel good, you worry less, and the less you worry the more you are able to stay motivated and focused on your goals pursuit and by so doing you are able to live a more fulfilling and successful life.

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