When to wear a 3-piece suit?

What situation would call for a three-piece suit instead of just trousers and a suit jacket? The quick answer is that there are very few occasions nowadays in which you need to wear a three-piece suit. But if you want to dress to the nines, if you want to look as formal as you can look without going into black tie, that’s when you can wear a three-piece suit (especially when you don’t own a double breasted jacket).

But you can also think of it for a black tie event – in which traditionally you would wear a three-piece, because you should have a waist covering.

History Lesson: the vest or waistcoat was originally used by messengers who rode horses. They were outside all day riding on a horse in the wind and extra layers were needed. So, vests were developed. They initially started off as big pieces of cloth and eventually became their own type of garment, but it was meant to be worn under a jacket to add warmth. As an aside, vents on a jacket are also a carryover from horse riding days when a jacket needed to split over a saddle.

Vests eventually made their way into formal wear after they were used through multiple wars; men began to like it. In fact, they found that they could contrast the colors for different looks. Vests added a bit of style to the wardrobe without having to go out and purchase an entire new suit. Jackets were very expensive and vests – less expensive. Interestingly, today, vests are often more expensive and more difficult to manufacture than any other piece of formal wear, because skilled cutters for vests are becoming a rarer find.

Now, how to wear a three-piece suit? It’s still of the most useful and versatile items a man can own. In the tailored goods category, it may in fact be the most useful. The added vest (that makes a two piece a three piece) allows for a few more combinations that are not possible with the more common two piece suit. Additionally there is the practical utility of the extra layer around the torso in that it can provide warmth, which can be ideal in cooler weather. Furthermore, going from formal to smart casual is just one step away by taking off the jacket. Simply put, you feel more held together in a three-piece. The vest gives you an added layer of confidence, an extra piece of amor to keep the world from taking you down.

And a fun fact for lawyers: Three-piece suits create that visual which makes you look more sophisticated, smart, and organized.  Use it to your advantage.