Three-Piece Suits Guide

Three-piece suits consist of a standard suit jacket and pants, accompanied by a matching vest.

And they’re back in the fashion scene in a tremendous way.

Rather than go for the standard suit you have always worn to events, why not spice up your look?

You can look sharper at the next formal occasion you plan to attend.

With all the different styles and shapes to choose from, finding the one that perfectly represents your personality will not be difficult.

Advantages of Three-Piece Suits

Again, a three-piece suit consists of three components: the suit jacket, pants, and a vest (aka waistcoat).

Three-piece suits complement individuals who are stylish and adventurous with their fashion statement.

The vest somehow completes an elegant and stylish look. That is, if you get the fit and the color just right.

The vest becomes an integral part of the trio when worn over a dress shirt.

There are many good reasons to wear a three-piece suit. They offer that great, classic look and are always on-trend.

Plus, a good three-piece suit makes a man feel good about himself.

And the popular misconception that adding a vest makes you look fat is simply not true. A vest holds everything in place.

It adds structure to your outfit. Nobody can deny that a three-piece suit creates a more “put together” look than a regular two-piece.

Even with your jacket buttons undone, a vest will give you a neat and finished look. The result is a very appealing look indeed.

Another big advantage is that owning a few three-piece suits gives you many dressing options.

You can opt to wear the vest on its own with an open-neck, long-sleeved dress shirt and well-fitting jeans.

Or you can mix the waistcoat with the jacket and pants from another coordinating suit.

Of course, if you want to be a little less formal, you can leave out the waistcoat altogether and simply wear the suit as a two-piece.

Double-Breasted vs. Single-Breasted Three-Piece Suits

You can choose to wear either a single- or double-breasted jacket at any event where a suit is called for, although three-piece double-breasted suits are extremely rare.

And please, wear a double-breasted jacket only as part of a suit, never as a blazer.

Double-breasted suits are more formal than a straightforward single-breasted jacket and should always be worn with the proper trousers. Plus, they can’t be dressed down as a single-breasted jacket can.

On the other hand, a single-breasted jacket can be worn with casual pants, such as fitted jeans or chinos, with or without the vest.

Also, single-breasted three-piece suits are more widely available. Singles can come with anywhere from one to three buttons.

Many younger men are unfamiliar with double-breasted three-piece suits because they can be difficult to find.

Double-breasted suits have an extra fold of fabric across the front and a second row of buttons. They usually have four or six buttons.

Here’s an extra tip: Make sure the buttons are in a Y-shape instead of a V. This is considered much more stylish and will fit better, too.

How to Fit a Three-Piece Suit

Before deciding on your suit’s color, it’s important to match your suit’s fit.

The same basic suit rules apply, with a few additions to the vest. Let’s quickly cover them:

Vest

Let’s begin with the vest. This may appear straightforward, but finding the right fit can be tricky.

Remember, you won’t always wear your jacket, so the vest has to look good over your shirt.

There are distinct pointers that can help you find the perfect vest size.

The front hem, for example, should be long enough to conceal the pants’ waistband.

An inch or so of the vest’s top part must remain visible when the jacket is fastened. Also, the V of the waistcoat should not obscure the edges of your shirt collar.

Lastly, you want your vest to be narrow at the waist. The sides, however, are just right when they fall straight down.

Don’t forget to leave the bottom button of your vest unbuttoned.

Jacket

To get the right fit for your jacket, first, make sure the shoulder pads end where your shoulders do. Nothing looks phonier than shoulder pads that extend too far.

Next, look at the buttons. If there are two, the top one shouldn’t be lower than your navel. If you have three, then the same applies to the middle button. Never fasten the bottom button.

To check the jacket’s length, stand with your arms at your sides.

Your hands need to be at the hem of the jacket. The sleeves should reach down to your wrist joint.

As a final check, your shirt sleeve’s cuff should stick out of your jacket by about half an inch.

Trousers

The best fit for the trousers of a three-piece suit is high on the natural waist. That said, younger men might prefer a slimmer fit with a lower waist.

It’s best not to wear a belt with a three-piece suit as it can cause the vest to bulge. Use suspenders instead, or if you can, nothing at all.

Trouser length is very much a matter of personal preference.

Shorter guys might prefer the pants’ hem to barely brush the top of their shoes. Taller men often go for a full break.

To learn more about how to fit your suit, read our suit fit guide.

Three-Piece Suits Color Combinations

Starting from the bottom up, your shoes should match the tone of your three-piece suit. Brown shoes go nicely with blue or navy.

We always advise black shoes with a black suit, but black shoes work well with navy or charcoal suits, too.

Moving up: for a more formal look, the jacket, vest, and trousers should all be the same color. But wear a coordinating or contrasting vest for a less formal look.

Navy blue, or even a light blue suit, fits right in at weddings. You don’t want to wear anything too dark or somber.

Regarding shirts: white shirts are a staple and go with most suits. They give a crisp, clean look. You can wear almost any color tie with them, too.

Pale blue is also a good shade for a dress shirt and provides a classic alternative to white. It goes well with most people’s skin tones and hair colors. Add a navy tie with grey or navy suits.

We encourage you to experiment with different color and pattern combinations, like brown, maroon, grey, or beige.

The main thing is avoiding the trendsetting look by mixing and matching too many colors.

When to Wear a Three-Piece Suit

A three-piece suit isn’t something you’re going to put on every day just to go to the mall.

Three-piece suits are effortlessly contemporary and stylish and are often preferred at business, weddings, and many other events. As a matter of fact, it’s the best choice by far for any formal occasion.

The modern designs may also be worn on casual nights. It will enable you to stand out from the crowd at any social event with your mystifying look.

These suits perfectly combine classic and modern touches, creating a fusion for any modern man.

Again, three-piece suits are the perfect choice for your wedding attire.

That’s because it perfectly matches all suit accessories, including suspenders. It’s a celebration, after all, and nobody is going to laugh if you dress up.

If you have an office job, chances are a three-piece suit won’t look too over-the-top. However, avoid bold colors and non-standard accessories, and stick with classic shades of navy, grey, and black.

Other places to wear your suit include a day at the races, an evening at the opera, a trip to the theater, or a formal dinner.