I bought a suit that has a jacket with 3 buttons. Am I supposed to button all 3 buttons when I wear the suit, or only button the middle one? When they had me try it on in the store they only buttoned the middle button.
Somebody alredy posted the correct answer, always button the top button and never the bottom button, but I wanted to say that if the store where you bought the suit didn't tell you this, don't buy another suit there, since the people obviously don't know anything about them.
formal occasions three buttons fastened, less formal one button, and informal no buttons!
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I have been wearing suits for many years. There are no rules for how many buttons to use, some people will say if you have a 3 or 4 button suit you leave the bottom one or the top one unbuttoned, but I usually button them all when I do button them. Most of the time my jacket is not buttoned at all, it is just more comfortable for me opened.
Out of curiousity I researched this question and found an article that discusses the matter in great detail. It summarized this way: Two button suit: button only the top button. NEVER button the lower one. Three button suit: button either the middle button alone or the top two buttons. Again, never button the bottom button.
Never button the bottom button, this goes for jackets and button-up shirts. All other buttons are optional- do what looks best on you. I got for the middle button out of laziness. It's much easier to undo and button one button when sitting down and standing up.
I work in a "suit" corporation and most men will leave the bottom button open and button the rest.