Double Breasted Suit as the third Basic

[rodes]

Most advice on building a basic business wardrobe holds that a striped suit should be the third item after the solid single breasted grey and blue. The solid DB is perhaps, a better option. There are three reasons. The solid pattern is more versatile to match with shirts and ties. The striped suit is more limited in that it really should only be used for business. The DB looks better on some figures. There is one disadvantage for the DB is viewed as dashing and just not common in many locales. Perhaps that could be turned to an advantage.

[davidhuh]

Dear Rodes,

the advice you are referring to is not so useful in my eyes. What every gentleman has to figure out for himself is "what works well for me in the environment where I live and work". That may mean no stripes at all. Personally, I prefer to play with texture and material. I don't find pin stripes very attractive, because I don't want to look like a Wall Street banker from 1992

I join you in promoting DBs. I don't think they are especially dashing - men are just not used wearing them. A DB should be suit no 3, 4 and 5 in a wardrobe - take that with a grain of salt please.

In the end, men should feel comfortable and relaxed with what they are wearing. People notice immediately if this is the case or not.

Cheers, David

[Simon A]

I have swapped to DB's for all my business suits now, I find that leaving it buttoned up while seated and not having to fidget with buttons every time I stand is a great feature. If you like how you look in a DB, give it a go.