Ask Mary Lou

Each month, Mary Lou answers (and we post!) a fashion question from one of our site visitors. If you have something you want to know to help pull together your wardrobe with style and confidence, ask away!

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For May, 2005:

Q: I was glad to read in a publication recently that a man's three buttoned jacket should have the top two buttons only fastened, as my husband seems to button the middle only and I am constantly telling him it looks very old fashioned! However, I wondered if the same rule applies to women, as some of my colleagues fasten just the top, others all three and I fasten the top two!

A: : Women have a bit more wiggle room (literally!) on this issue. I personally opt to have all the buttons on my jacket buttoned when I present in front of any audience. It creates a cleaner, less distracting line which positively impacts communication. Having said that, many women who are a bit thicker through the mid-section can relax the fit of the jacket by buttoning the top button and then leaving one or two of the buttons below unbuttoned. While it's okay to have all your buttons un-buttoned while sitting at your desk, working solo on a projects etc., I do recommend that women button at least one button on their jacket when communicating with others. Again, it's all about the line and proportion of the jacket and how it enhances, rather than distracts from, the business at hand. Extra Tip: We advise both men and women to refrain from buttoning just the middle button on a suit jacket as it can cause an unflattering, gapping effect.