Our pal Chuck is stepping into a new job. In his words he hasn’t bought anything but socks in a while but it’s time to do the step-up and he’s wondering 3-button vs. 2-button plus color and pattern. Can The Guys of Be Better Guys give our pal a hand? Ya you bet’cha.
Chuck: I’m hoping to drop a few inches from the stomach area while training for the Marine Corp Marathon so I was thinking of adding one three-piece suit to the wardrobe. What are your thoughts on that and what color? I’ve had several gray pin-striped three-pieces over my lifetime. Also what about 3-button or 2-button suits?
The Guys: So quick thought on 3-button suits – they were all the rage for about 20 yrs…all through the 90s and 2000s and are juuuust now starting to fade out in favor of 2-buttons. Three-button suits look good no doubt. The problem with them as I see it is they make most men look boxier than a 2-button. Here’s why–a 3-button cuts you much higher across the chest than a 2-button which has a deeper silhouette because it buttons lower in the front. Two buttons make you look slimmer, and they never go out of style. Three’s probably won’t either but 2’s have been around forever so you can’t go wrong. Make sure the shoulder isn’t too stiff and boxy like in the ‘80s or you look like Clinton Portis.
For color I would go a nice medium grey or navy blue. They go with everything. And I say medium grey over navy ‘cause the grey is super versatile–you can wear it with every color under the sun…pairing it with everything from a black turtleneck in the wintertime to a light blue dress shirt to a polo in warm weather. Where to go? Try Brooks Brothers. Banana Republic has ‘em too as does H&M if you can fit into their lean-cut suits.
Now for three-piece suits our big concern is that your physique is thick and the added bulk of the vest might add unnecessary thickness to your silhouette. But honestly we’re fans. Stay in darker colors to keep you trim and the pinstripe will help. Three-piece suits will look great and we’re glad they’re back.
[...] health, to boozing and relationships, Be Better Guys also lends some great fashion advice here: http://www.bebetterguys.com/2011/07/ask-the-guys-time-to-buy-some-new-suits-i-need-full-on-advice/ . Plus, we just love their slogan: ”-A guys guide to getting a [...]