I just got myself a new three button suit. What is the proper way to
wear it? Top two buttons buttoned? Just the middle button? Can I wear
it unbuttoned?

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Clarification of Question by jyovanoff-ga on 05 Aug 2002 15:56 PDT

Also perhaps I should clarify a bit. When I say proper way, you can
assume I am wearing the suit to job intervews or an actual job.

Hello and thanks for your question.

According to one source, ther's only one right way to do it:
"The only bespoke way to wear a three button jacket is to only button
the MIDDLE button. Not the top as with a two button or even the top
two, but simply the middle. Simple and elegant a middle buttoned three
button jacket is the sign of a man who knows how to dress in public."
The Great Button Dialemma (sic)
http://www.spacehijackers.co.uk/notcricket/html/tips/tips1.html

Another source sanctions flexibility:
"With a three-button jacket, you can button the top two buttons, a
single button at the middle or just the top one."
Excerpt from Chapter 7 of Managing Your Image Potential
http://www.8020info.com/image_men.html

If I were you, I'd play it safe and follow the first commentator's
advice (overlooking his egregious spelling of his title.

Best of luck in your job search!

If you require any clarification, please hold off on rating this
answer until I have an opportunity to reply.

richard-ga

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Clarification of Answer by richard-ga on 06 Aug 2002 06:59 PDT

I forgot to include the Google search term that I used to find the answer:
"three button jacket" + middle

An excellent answer. Well done.

It loooks to me like just about anything goes:
http://www.ravistailor.com/styles.php?cat=4

whatever you choose, by all means unbutton the jacket before sitting
down! not only will it bunch up to your chest/neck if you don't, but
it's simply not proper. (ha! who would have thought that zeno cares
about the fashion police!)