Monday, March 18, 2024

Question - Two or Three Button?

 



OK, it's Lent here in the North Central Texas Exclusion Zone and everywhere else, so we're jousting with Gospel imperatives. Viz. Should a suit be two button or 3 button? Dege & Skinner, notables of the Row, seem to opt for two button, see above.

Nice, to put it mildly, no doubt about it, but perhaps three button gives that SuperTrad, strolling down St. James and Devil takes the hindmost look? I used to think so, back in the mists of time, but now? Maybe two button befits seniority. Whatever, here's cut-price Cordings by way of reference:




As you can see, gentlemen and women, we're talking salvation issues here, but hey, it's Monday and the Compound's taking a "day-off." Quite unlike Satan. Soteriology aside, what's your take on suits, two or three button? And let's not forget DB.

I say all means all, but your call,

LSP


PS. Aide Memoire, Prince Philip favored TWO BUTTON. And long cut KENT HASTE. So, there is that.

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

It depends on how much of you tie you like to show. 2B shows more than 3B. Also, the angle that the labels meet is narrower in the 2B suit, which I think looks better. And if you are only going to button the 2nd one of a 3B suit, why have the first button?

If you haven't guessed, I'd go for the 2B suit over the 3B suit.

As for DB, they are entirely anachronistic - don't be seen in one.

LSP said...

Ah, Anon, thanks for getting back to me. Of course HRH Philip would agree with you, but hold on.

3B has, I think, a more vertical up 'n down structured look, which is great when you're young and can run a mile or many with the regiment. 2B is more forgiving though, cut Dege style, still looks mighty sharp. Hmmm.

Then there's DB. I know, I know, anachronisms, but are you sure? I've got a couple of Row MTM suits from the '90s that look mighty sharp, subdued elegance, kinda thing. But maybe... young mans suit?

Cheers.

Beans said...

Well, depends. 2-Button is a little more relaxed. 3-Button more conservative. Think, well, jetsetter vs banker.

LSP said...

That's my take too, Beans. I lean towards more trad, tbh.

LSP said...

PS. Beans -- these S Row guys (Dege & Kent) have it all going on. Pricey tho.

Ritchie said...

This is so far outside my fence that I am completely untroubled by the slightest clue. I used to have a suit. With present conditions, maybe they all could use a little more um, "capacity" in the waistal area.

Well Seasoned Fool said...

No opinion as high fashion, for me, is remembering to zip my trousers.
OK, I have two suits, three button.

Mike_C said...

Three-button, by all means. I’m also a double-vent kind of guy (or no vent, but then you’d best plan on not sitting down).

These days it’s all theoretical anyway. Don’t think I’ve worn a neck tie in literally several years. The medical field has got so casual that I haven’t worn a suit (used to do for presentations at scientific conferences and for important client meetings) in ages.

Beans said...

Thing is, LSP, you have the body frame (somewhat skinny) to make a two-buttoner look good. Of course, you also have the frame to make a three-buttoner look good as well.

Fat guys like me need the three-buttoner with vest to pull off 'elegance' from a custom made suit.

Chris said...

James Bond would never wear a three button suit. Nuff said.

Theodore said...

You can't go wrong with any of them - 2, 3, or DB - it's all personal preference. I think the 2-button is more elegant than a 3 (less room for error in the make, with 1 button the pinnacle). 3-button is also a bit warmer as it buttons higher up, so maybe the 2 for TX heat.

Wild, wild west said...

Ritchie for the win.

LL said...

I wear custom cut suits that run me $3K+. Most are two button but the most recent was 3. A faux pas?

Mike_C said...

So you’re not of the Mike Ross school of suit buying, eh?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=X8aqKlQit9Y

Wild, wild west said...

Might be some suits in a garage sale at Wayne La-tee-dah-Pierre's house one of these days. Just sayin'.

LSP said...

I hardly ever wear them these days, Ritchie, but the Lenten fast has had an, ahem, beneficial aspect. As in, "Oh look, I can fit in that again."

LSP said...

I'd say three button's perfectly respectable, WSF.

LSP said...

I know what you mean, Mike, and the same pretty much holds for me too, though they're kinda required for more formal clergy events. Still, useful to have in the armory.

LSP said...

Whoa, Beans, a vest! Haven't worn one of those in ages.

LSP said...

Chris, bold call, but are you sure? Have a look at Diamonds are Forever, For Your Eyes Only and Octopussy. I think you'll see some 007 three button action.

LSP said...

I agree, T. And for sure, let's not forget the heat.

Of course 3 button's more UK country, which I like. Heavy for Texas though.

LSP said...

Well it's all a great thing, Wild.

LSP said...

3k's a good price, LL, and I'm sure they look good. Three button? Nothing wrong with that at all, perhaps a bit more trad, and I had a couple made up long ago which now, bizarrely, fit again. Maybe I'll get another.

LSP said...

Mike, I laughed!

LSP said...

Now that, Wild, is a very good point.

Anonymous said...

I “pulled a Mike Ross” basically out of morbid curiosity a few years ago. Was buying cheap dress shirts for hospital work wear (Lands End online) and came across a close out suit for under $100. Prince of Wales check, two button, double vent. “Let’s see how bad this could be,” I said to myself. “After all, it’s returnable at the local Sears.” So the thing arrives. Fabric had a surprisingly decent “hand”. Construction was solid, and it even had some nice touches in the details. I was starting to think I’d scored a real bargain. Then I tried on the suit jacket. Unfortunately it was cut for a barrel-shaped person (with forward sloping shoulders, yet) and it was appallingly obvious that there was No Way it could be tailored to fit me. Sigh. For reasons (okay, laziness) I never got around to returning it, and it hangs in my closet reproachfully as a reminder that a fool pisses away his money on junk “bargains”.
-M