Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Originally posted by: Beattie
Yea, what is the difference anyway?
Single-breasted has only enouh overlap for the buttons to work. Double-breasted has a lot of overlap and essentially puts a double layer of fabric over a person's breast. ("Breast" in the sense of the "breast" of a bird. In vernacular, the double layer is over the person's gut.)
Single-breasted suits and tuxedos are the most common because they are the easiest to wear and they don't have to be buttoned all the time. A double-breasted suit must remain buttoned at all times. Double-breasted is far more conservative (antiquated may be the more appropriate term here). The current fashion is to wear single-breasted suits and sportcoats and to be honest, a single-breasted suit or sportcoat tends to fit thicker people better. Basically, only tall and thin people can pull off a double-breasted jacket. Short and thin people get "lost" in all the fabric and more portly people have their girth exagerated by the extra fabric.
I second all of the recommendations for single-breasted suits or jackets simply because with a single-breasted jacket you have the option of leaving the jacket un-buttoned without looking like a moron. I completely disagree with the recommendation of the Italian cut though. While I have a couple of Italian cut suits (as they are the most commonly found), I still prefer a suit cut in the classic British fashion. I'll take Saville Row any day.
🙂
ZV
