Fashion is changing rapidly, but some aspects remain relevant for decades, and even centuries. So, in particular, men do not fasten the bottom button of the jacket.

This is not just another fashionable aspect - the unbuttoned bottom button refers to classic gentlemanly values. However, why do men do just that? Where did this tradition come from? It turns out that there are many versions on this score.

Classic or British version

The jacket of the modern type - single-breasted, appeared in the late 19th - early 20th century. He was worn not in solemn occasions, but in everyday life, and in particular, in a jacket he often had to ride a horse. At the same time, the lower button risked breaking, and in general the jacket, completely buttoned up, constricted movement. Because the men began to leave the last button unbuttoned - just so that the clothes did not interfere.

There is also another English version, according to which the monarch Edward the Seventh introduced the fashion for the unbuttoned lower button. The king was overweight, he was completely uncomfortable to fasten his clothes completely. Despite the fact that the king wore vests, in the future the fashion was transferred to jackets - at least, this version says so. There are some reasons to judge its truth - on the photographs the monarch is present in this form. However, if you carefully study his photographs, you can safely say that the point here is not at all obesity.

Even in the photo of the young monarch, where there is not even a hint of excess weight, the lower button of his vest or jacket is unbuttoned.The fact is that from a young age, the ruler was a notorious fashionista, actively took care of his appearance and promoted his own inventions. He not only decided to unfasten the lower button to flaunt his surroundings - he also noted felt hats that he replaced with a cylinder, arrows on his trousers, and some other nuances among the fashion novelties introduced by him.

American version

Since this trend turned out to be relevant for the whole world, other countries have their own versions. There is one typically American explanation. It is worth remembering that life in America of the past was not valued too highly, criminal incidents were observed all the time, carrying weapons was quite commonplace. After all, no one could say at what point a person would have to defend his life - there were both Indian raids and internal internecine disassembly, not to mention the activity of attackers and robbers.

The gun was worn on a belt, and the opportunity to grab it first could be a guarantee of survival - perhaps that is why in America they did not fasten the bottom button of men's clothing. Although if you watch cowboy films and action movies, you can’t say that this tradition was featured everywhere.

How was the question in the Soviet Union?

Significantly, in the Soviet Union, the lower button of the jacket was also not fastened. Turning to books on male etiquette of past years, you can find out why it was not recommended to fasten it. So, in the literature it is indicated that if a man in a fully buttoned jacket sits at the table, the jacket on it will be ugly folding, waves will go along the sides.In order not to take on such an untidy appearance, one could unfasten the lower button before sitting in its place, but this would be indecent. Therefore, since Soviet times in Russia it is also considered optimal not to fasten it at all.

When is it necessary to fasten a button?

However, in some cases, etiquette still strongly recommends to fasten completely, first of all it concerns cases when there is only one button on the jacket. In addition, it is worth noting that all buttons are also buttoned on double-breasted jackets, since he looks ugly when unfastened at least one of them.

Interesting fact: if there is a vest under the jacket, then you need to fasten it with all the buttons, you can leave the jacket unfastened.

All this refers to the rules of etiquette, which must be followed - at least in an official setting. The jacket today appears as part of a business suit, the wearing of which involves a strict framework. The unbuttoned bottom button of a single-breasted jacket is an aesthetic norm that must be adhered to, despite the fact that its origin cannot be precisely named.