Suits are a non-negotiable item in every man’s closet. However, when it comes to a wedding suit, you want something that speaks your style, looks unique enough and does not look tacky. With so many options to choose from in terms of fabric, pattern, suit cuts, lapel styles and more, it’s quite understandable that arriving at your final choice would become quite tough. One such choice is a 3-piece vs 2-piece wedding suit. In this blog, we will cover what these two entail, which occasions suit them best and how to choose the perfect wedding suit according to your body type and style.

2-Piece Suit: What Is It?

A two-piece suit consists of a jacket and pants that go with it, exactly as you’d typically expect. It is easy to wear yet stylish, and with the right choice, it can work well for a variety of events, from a casual brunch to an important business meeting you have been preparing for.

You must pair a fabric that suits the occasion or season together with a fit that goes well with your body type to find a suit that’s perfect for you. The best part is that it’s not a limited one-time use at your wedding. You’ll be making a wise investment that will pay you for years down the line.

The beauty of a 2-piece men’s suit is the flexibility it offers you. You can choose to separate the pair and dress it down with your regular favourites for a casual-themed or bohemian-style wedding, and later on for a casual outing. 

3-Piece Suit: What Is It?

Though a two-piece suit is quite versatile, nothing matches a three-piece tailored suit when the occasion calls for you to dress up to the nines.

A three-piece suit is also known as a waistcoat suit and consists of a matching waistcoat or vest, jacket, and pants. Typically, this suit is made of a double-breasted vest that you wear under a single-breasted jacket.

It is often known as a man’s complete suit and is most commonly associated with formal settings. It should be paired with a complementary shirt, tie, and shoes. This suit works best if you have a more formal wedding with dress codes. Our take is that a good 3-piece suit can even compete with a fine tuxedo.

A men’s 3-piece suit allows you to dress to impress. Wearing a waistcoat in a variety of colours and patterns to express your personal style is a simple way to stand out (in a good way) in the crowd.

Differentiating Factors between the 2 Types of Suit

1. Differences in the Fabric of the Suit

With all said, there aren’t many options for suit fabrics for three-piece suits. Why? Because of the extra vest. Cotton, linen, and seersucker (i.e., fabrics made of silk, cotton, linen, or woven altogether) are completely off the list since they can be quite uncomfortable to wear with a full-fledged tailored suit on hot sunny days.

Additionally, a three-piece suit with synthetic fabric just doesn’t look good because it gives a low-quality look even after going after the finest material, which is the opposite of what you want from a classic suit like this.

Therefore, a two-piece suit is undoubtedly your best bet if you’re searching for the ideal suit that you can casually throw on and get going.

2. Formality and Event Type

A three-piece suit gives off a formal look, no matter what fabric you choose. The matching vest makes the whole outfit stand out and helps you look more polished and appealing. Also, the slight nod to the past adds to the classic elegant feel. This kind of suit also works well for a rustic barn wedding or a traditional country wedding.

On the flip side, people see two-piece suits as less dressy. Without a vest, a two-piece suit jacket creates a clear difference between the two. This is because a vest covers your dress shirt making it look more uniform and conservative.

Constraints of the Two Suits

We can’t really ignore the fact that three-piece suits don’t allow as much room for styling as two-piece suits even if we all know they look classier.

This means you have to give up some fashion accessories you’d wear with a two-piece suit when it comes to putting on a three-piece suit.

Take ties, for example. With a two-piece suit, you’re free to try out crazy bright ties to add some flair. But with three pieces? Not so much. You can’t play around with ties because most of them cover up the waistcoat, which beats the whole point.

Additionally, we highly recommend not wearing tie clips with most, if not all, three-piece suits. It loses the punch of the three-piece itself, not to mention makes you look constricted in the chest area. Also, a double-breasted jacket doesn’t really mix with a three-piece outfit. An overdone look isn’t what you’d want on your wedding when all eyes are on you!

Conclusion

All in all, the decision between a 3-piece and 2-piece wedding suit depends on a couple of factors, including how formal your event is, your personal style, and what you feel most confident wearing. If you want a traditional dressy look that speaks effortless class, the 3-piece suit, with its extra waistcoat, is for sure a perfect pick. 

But if you are someone who’s open to trying more variety in the ensemble and options for easy styling, and especially if you want a suit you can wear for years to come after your wedding, then a 2-piece suit is the perfect candidate for you as it gives you flexibility and a timeless appeal. Remember, at the end of the day, what truly matters is what attire you feel like yourself in. Confidence is the biggest factor in making or breaking the look, no matter how ‘perfect’ it might seem. Want to experience perfection being crafted in real-time? Drop by a Bentex showroom in Sydney and see for yourself.