Mens Suits - Two-button Or Three-button?

Despite there being more information now than ever before about men's fashions and style, too many guys are still unaware about certain crucial issues like choosing neckties and pairing socks. The number of buttons appropriate on a suit is one such hot button topic, and here's where the question gets settled once and for all.

The Technical Answer
Strictly speaking, there's no correct answer between two- and three-button suits. After all, both are acceptable given the sartorial traditions in the west. It's only when you go past that threshold, one- or four-button suits, for example, that clear violations of the dress code are committed. Otherwise, you're free to choose either one.

Even if you were to ask a tailor or a fashion professional, he or she would still tell you that the number of buttons is something that always boils down to preference. There are, however, certain factors you can consider if you want to create as stylish and elegant a look as possible.

Stylish Choices
As with most other things in men's fashion, you could also choose between a two- and three-button suit based on your body. Like with the cut of your pants and the styling of your shirt, certain styles are better suited to certain body types.

Taller guys, for example, might want to favor three buttons over just two because they'll keep the proportions in check. By decreasing the amount of shirt and necktie that's left visible by the buttoned up jacket, you can reduce the 'visual stretching' that occurs when vertical elements are left out for the observer to see. Otherwise, leaving too much shirt creates the impression of your torso being disproportionately long.

Conversely, shorter and stockier men will want to go in the direction with less buttons. The color coming from the shirt and the vertical orientation of the necktie tricks the eyes of the observer into thinking that there's more vertical dimension to you than you really have. It's this little illusion that helps create a better proportioned look, simply by taking out one button from an otherwise traditional design.

Regardless of your build, you can play around with your body's proportions using the number of buttons you have on your suit. If you're heavily built, for example, you could compensate for your girth by adding to your visual height with a two-button suit. Skinny tall guys, meanwhile, can benefit much from the equalizing effect of a three button suit that draws the attention away from their lack of bulk.

If you're going to have the suit tailored, have a nice long chat with your tailor first. Once the number of buttons and the cut of your jacket is set, there's very little you can do to change it. Ask for the tailor's thoughts and recommendations; you never know when he or she might point out a factor that you'd previously overlooked.