Double-breasted and three-piece suits in Sterling Heights

02

Three-piece suits

A three-piece suit adds a waistcoat in the same cloth. Take the jacket off at the reception and you still look dressed. It suits weddings, winter events and anyone who wants a classic look.

• Leave the bottom button of the waistcoat undone.
• The waistcoat should cover the trouser waistband.
• Wear the trousers at your natural waist so no shirt shows between the waistcoat and the trousers.

03

Fit

Both styles need a close fit at the chest and waist. A stylist fits the jacket and waistcoat on you and pins the sleeves and trousers. See alterations and tailoring.

04

More suits

• All men's suits
• Suit colours
• Wedding suits

05

Why double-breasted jackets wear peak lapels

A peak lapel points up toward the shoulder and draws the eye up and out. On a double-breasted jacket it balances the wide front and the two rows of buttons. That is why the navy double-breasted on our floor is cut with peak lapels.

07

The three-piece without the jacket

A three-piece suit lets you take the jacket off at a reception or a long dinner and still look dressed. Keep the waistcoat buttoned, the tie in place and the shirt sleeves down. Trousers with side adjusters or braces sit better under a waistcoat than a thick belt.

08

Double-breasted for winter in Michigan

The extra layer of cloth across the front makes a double-breasted jacket warm, so it is a good suit for December weddings and holiday parties in Sterling Heights. Pair the forest green double-breasted with a white shirt and a brown or burgundy tie for winter photos.

09

Pinstripe and the classic three-piece

A navy pinstripe or a navy three-piece is the most traditional business suit there is. Keep the shirt plain white or light blue and the tie solid, so the stripe does the work.

10

Fitting these suits at Blite in Sterling Heights

Both styles need a close fit at the chest, so a stylist starts with the jacket. Book a suit fitting or walk in at 37742 Van Dyke Ave, Sterling Heights. Free parking is in front of the store.

12

Button stance: six buttons, two that close

Most double-breasted jackets show six buttons with two that fasten, called a six-on-two. You fasten the middle outside button, and the inside button holds the front flat. Leave the bottom button open.

13

Shirts and ties for double-breasted suits

The wide front and peak lapels already do a lot, so keep the shirt plain. A white or light blue shirt with a spread collar fits the shape of the lapels. Choose a solid or a quiet pattern for the tie, and add a pocket square in white for a clean finish.

14

The three-piece for a groom

A three-piece suit gives a groom two looks in one day: jacket on for the ceremony and photos, jacket off for the reception with the waistcoat still dressed. The navy three-piece on our floor suits a church wedding by day and an evening reception. See wedding suits.

15

The waistcoat as a separate

A waistcoat can be worn without its jacket over a dress shirt with dress trousers or dark jeans for a dinner or a party. Keep the shirt sleeves down or rolled neatly, and match the shoes to the trousers.

17

Double-breasted or three-piece: how to choose

Choose double-breasted if you want a bold front and you will keep the jacket on most of the night. Choose a three-piece if you expect to take the jacket off, at a long reception or a warm room, and still want to look dressed. If you own one suit already, a double-breasted adds the most variety. If this is your wedding suit, a three-piece gives two looks in one day.

18

Styling a double-breasted jacket as a separate

A navy double-breasted jacket can be worn with grey flannel trousers or dark jeans, like a blazer. Keep it buttoned, wear a plain shirt, and choose brown shoes for a relaxed look. A stylist at our Sterling Heights store can show you which trousers on the floor work with each jacket.

19

Fabrics for these suits

Double-breasted and three-piece suits use more cloth than a two-piece, so the fabric weight matters. A smooth, mid-weight wool keeps the front flat and the waistcoat comfortable for a long event. Flannel and heavier wool suit a winter wedding or a December party. A pinstripe or a chalk-stripe sharpens the look for business and evening wear. Ask a stylist to compare the navy double-breasted, the forest green double-breasted and the navy three-piece side by side, so you can feel the difference in the cloth before you choose.

These suits look best when the fit is close, so plan a fitting before any event and bring the shoes you will wear.