Men Suit Jackets - Buying the Right Jacket

If you are finally ready to go out and buy that suit you have been avoiding for years, then there are some basic facts you need to know about mens suit jackets that are very important before you buy. While many of the off the rack suits do not offer much in the way of options, there is no real reason why your next mens suit jacket should not fit and look good. Of course being able to buy a bespoke or custom made to measure suit gives you more options and guarantees satisfaction.

The Basics

The first thing you need to consider when looking at mens suit jackets is whether you are going to go with a single or double breasted style. The difference is that when you go with single breasted you get one row of button and just enough overlap to button the jacket, with the double breasted you get two rows of buttons and enough flap for both rows of buttons to be used.  The more modern suits tend to stick with single breasted, however a double breasted mens suit jacket can look very distinguished.
 
The size of the lapels has varied significantly over the last half a century from the very narrow lapels of the 50s to the super wide look of the 70s, however today a more moderate width is the norm, leaving you with the choice of a notched or peaked design.  Again a modern single breasted jacket is likely to have a notched lapel. Pockets vary from suit to suit and depending on how formal the jacket is, the jetted pocket is used for the most formal jacket and is a sewn in pocket with only a slit showing.

The most common and fully acceptable pocket is the flap pocket, made just like the jetted pocket except that they have a flap that close over the top of the pocket. These are perfect fine for both formal and regular wear.  The patch pocket is made just like its name states, by attaching  flap of material on the outside of the jacket, this style of pocket is usually reserved for use in a mens casual jacket.

The Details

As with many different things in this world it is details that count, perhaps this is what sets one mens designer jacket apart from another. If you are looking at a mens suit jacket that has a ticket pocket above either of the side pockets then chances are that you are looking at upper level quality jacket or perhaps a bespoke jacket.

Other than the materials themselves and every designer has his or her own preferences the one area that seems to get the most attention is the vents. These small slits in the bottom of the jacket are there to help make it easier to move and sit while wearing the jacket. The choices are ventless like the European Continental suit, single center vent as most American suits are made and side vents with one on each side.

Buying a mens suit jacket should not be a major undertaking, but at the same time you want to make sure that you are getting the right style and cut for your tastes and body. You will probably own your suit jacket for many years so make sure that you buy one that will suit most occasions and will stand up to the test of time in both wear and style.