Double-breasted Jackets

A standard double-breasted man’s suit jacket comes with two rows of buttons – usually six or eight in total. When closed, the front of the jacket looks symmetrical; but in fact only one column of the buttons fastens, and depending on the style not all of the buttons may be capable of fastening.

You will also find an extra hidden button on the reverse of the outside flap of a double-breasted man’s jacket; this is called the jigger, and it fastens the overlapping layers together from within.

The typical style popular in a double-breasted jacket for a man’s suit has six buttons, two of which fasten; the third button in that column is decorative, and will probably be positioned slightly to the side. This emphasizes the spread of the chest, and indeed the double-breasted man’s suit is a good choice for the leaner man who wishes to reproportion his torso.

Thin men, especially if tall, can gain real benefit from the fuller appearance of double-breasted jackets. When worn by larger men, however, the double-breasted style draws attention to 4the midsection and should be worn with care (or not at all).

A double-breasted jacket will have two side vents. It generally comes with peaked lapels, with the left side fastened over the right.