Double-breasted

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In clothing, double-breasted refers to a coat or jacket or similar garment having a very wide overlap in the front and, usually, two parallel rows of buttons or snaps. (By contrast a single-breasted coat has a narrower overlap and one row of buttons.) In most cases one column of buttons is simply decorative. Only those at the outer edge of the overlap actually fasten the two layers together. The others, placed on the outside of the outer layer, either serve no purpose or allow the overlap to be reversible.

The wide overlap puts extra layers of fabric where the opening occurs to retain body heat.

Pea coats and some trench coats are traditionally double-breasted.

Double-breasted jackets make the wearer look mighty, broad, and add bulk. A single-breasted suit jacket with three or four buttons will elongate a larger upper body and tend to flatter the slim.

[edit] See also

• Suit.