Do you, don't you?

[kiltimabar]

On three-piece suits, (when I wore them) I left the bottom vest button undone, as I understood that there was a tradition so to do. With Highland attire, I button them all, as I am unaware that there is a similar custom in that area. Highland tradition is much older than Edward VII.

[JSFMACLJR]

On three-piece suits, (when I wore them) I left the bottom vest button undone, as I understood that there was a tradition so to do. With Highland attire, I button them all, as I am unaware that there is a similar custom in that area. Highland tradition is much older than Edward VII.

I don't quite follow your reasoning here. I, and many others, leave the bottom button of a waistcoat undone. What do you mean when you say "Highland tradition is much older than Edward VII"?

Waistcoats are much older than the late King Emperor too.

[Mael Coluim]

I don't - product of training.

[Sir William]

Ok so I have heard this before, and maybe I missed, but isn't there some kind of historical reason why some wear the bottom button undone?! or is it solely for comfort.

I have always heard that the custom came about when Gentlemen (by birth and breeding) of the late 18th and into the 19th century eased the bottom button on their waistcoats (and possibly a few on their breeches) for comfort after endulging in a very filling meal. It gradually became the custom to leave the bottom button undone on the waistcoat to thus indicate one was a Gentleman who was used to dining well and often.

[DTrain]

I don't; it was the way I was taught growing up. I have no idea why this is the case.

[The Barry]

I haven't developed a system yet. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. I'm leaning more on the don't button side. This is just what I'm used to doing with suit waistcoats, I'm a slave to conditioning.

[RockyR]

I leave the bottom button undone, it prevents the vest bunching up when I sit down. It's the same with a jacket. I unbutton when I sit down and button up when I stand up. (the vest I leave unbutton all the time)

Well put Robert. Ditto.

Only small point of clarification... I NEVER button the jacket while I'm WEARING the vest.

[Ancienne Alliance]

Well put Robert. Ditto.

Only small point of clarification... I NEVER button the jacket while I'm WEARING the vest.

Yep ! Just ain't done !


Best,

Robert

[lethearen]

Ok so I have heard this before, and maybe I missed, but isn't there some kind of historical reason why some wear the bottom button undone?! or is it solely for comfort.

As I recall, and I probably have some facts muddled up, there was a gentleman of stature holding a noble title - King Edward VII, I believe, as was alluded to by kiltimabar earlier. Due to his stature he left the bottom button of his coats and vests unbuttoned. It became the trend to imitate this fashion. I actually had heard that it was to make him feel better about his girth, as he was no longer the only man whose button was left undone, but I don't know if that's true.

The practice has stuck around for past hundred plus years or so.

[Paul]

I button it up... I dont think it looks good unbuttoned and the waitcost looks fine when I sit down. I feel that if there was any need for it to be unbuttoned the waistcoat would only have the top 4 buttons