Your suit has endless potential for customization, in most cases the front of the suit is the part you most often see when admiring yourself in the mirror. There is a key design feature in the back that needs a bit of your attention, the vents.

What Are Suit Vents?

A suit vent is a vertical slit that extends upward from the bottom hem on the backside of a suit jacket or sport coat.

Suit vents became a distinguishing feature on jackets back when gentlemen in polite society spent their leisure time enjoying equestrian pursuits. Riding their trusted steed, these openings on the jacket allowed for ease of movement and comfort in the saddle. The separation created by these openings also helped the jacket drape more gracefully over the sides of the rider’s hips.

Single Vent

A single jacket vent sits directly in the center back of the jacket hem. The single vent is often considered the ‘American style’ and is very common among the American workplace, particularly among baby boomers and older gents. It can also be found on more casual jackets given its simpler aesthetic.

A single vent can be the more comfortable choice for guys who aren’t used to dressing in attention-getting styles. Single vent jackets will also be more flattering for the larger man, or more specifically, the man with a little extra on the backside.

Dual Vent

The dual vent (or side vents) features twin openings that sit on each side of the jacket’s back hem.

Suits with dual vents give the wearer a more sophisticated and European flair in their style.

The dual vent is an ideal choice for the guy who wants to be seen as style-savvy. Body types, other than the one mentioned above, will find this style flattering.

Ventless Jacket

The vent-free jacket features an unbroken silhouette that is only ever appropriate with formalwear. Specifically, on the backs of a tuxedo jacket.