Button It (Your Coat That Is)
Many years ago someone told me the bottom button of a suit coat or blazer was called the “dork button,” because if you button it you’re a dork.
I’ve since learned that like most sartorial dictates, this one can be ignored if you know how to pull it off. If you can’t pull it off…well, playing it safe with the buttons may not make you less of a dork, but at least other people are less likely to notice your condition.
Here’s Coat Buttons 101, in handy visual form
(This guide covers two button and three button single breasted coats. If you need to read this, you should probably avoid double breasted. Don’t get me started on 4+ button single breasted.)
Unbuttoned coats: Unless you're going casual, try to button up when standing. Not critical, but it looks nicer. Unbutton when sitting - it's just more comfortable.
Basic options: top button only for two button coats; top two buttons or center button only for three button coats
Only try these at home. I've actually seen Cary Grant do many of these variations, but you're not Cary Grant.
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