It used to be a faux-pas to wear double breasted jackets without buttoning up. Left open, you would get a weird fabric flopping thing happening around the torso and bust area making you look shapeless and unpolished. Buttoning them up was the only way to achieve a form fitting shape that showed off your waistline. Single breasted jackets, on the other hand, retain their shape along the contour of the torso when you leave them un-buttoned.

But deconstructed and boxy clothing is back in fashion and wearing double breasted jackets open is the “it” look. The jackets are also tailored accordingly. The upside is that when unbuttoned they create the same flattering vertical line down the front of the body. The downside is that it still means surrendering the waistline and taking some structure away from the bust area. Double edged sword.

Buttoning up tailored, double breasted styles is always flattering, but leaving them open is a fun new twist on the style. What do you think?