Double Vents

A man’s suit with a double-vented jacket exudes prestige, power and classic refinement.

The vents – the cuts in the rear of the jacket running up from the bottom edge – are intended to allow the wearer to sit without straining the jacket or bunching it up. The double vent, with two slits, derives from horse-riding and enabled the rider to sit comfortably while still looking neat and stylish; the vents effectively allowed the back of the jacket to flap over the rear of the saddle.

Today the vents serve much the same purpose. The wearer can sit down without spoiling the look or the line of the jacket, and in particular without the jacket straining and covering you like a sausage. These types of jackets cover the back, while at the same time shelter the skirt of the jacket over your rear. Another advantage of double vent jackets is when one puts his hands in the pockets of his trouser the vent allows easy access without disturbing the lines of the jacket

By contrast, the single vent is less forgiving when the wearer is seated (the two sides of the jacket fall apart to create unattractive gap at the base of the jacket when seen from behind) and the jacket bunches in an awkward position to one side when you put your hand in a trouser pocket – this does not happen with double vents.

According to a survey, big-bottomed bankers wear double-vented jackets with the purpose of accommodating their bulging posteriors, whereas most lawyers prefer single vented jackets for emphasizing their svelte profile.