Vents are a common feature of many suit jackets. Whether you're shopping for a tweed, linen, wool or corduroy suit jacket, you can probably find it in a vented style. Manufacturers offer suit jackets in both vented and non-vented styles. While they may feature a similar appearance when viewed from the front, vented suit jackets are distinguished from their non-vented counterparts by the use of one or more slits.
The Basics of Vented Suit Jackets
Vented suit jackets are characterized by the presence of one or more slits on the back. They were originally used for sports coats, specifically those worn by horseback riders. With vents, sports coats would flex to provide superior comfort when riding horses. While many people still wear vented sports coats when riding horses, this style has since become a popular feature of conventional suit jackets.
Any suit jacket that has one or more splits on the back is classified as a vented suit jacket. Vented suit jackets look the same as non-vented suit jackets from the front. To identify them, you'll need to inspect the back. Vents are always found on the back. If the back of a suit jacket has one or more slits, it's a vented suit jacket. If the back has a clean hem that runs horizontally around the bottom of the suit jacket, it's a non-vented suit jacket.
There are dozens of different types of suit jackets. You can find suit jackets in different materials, colors, button configurations and more. Regardless, most suit jackets are either classified as single vent, double vent or ventless. Familiarizing yourself with these different vent styles will allow you to choose the right suit jacket for your formal outfits.
Single Vent
Vented suit jackets are defined by their use of vents. Vents are slits on the back of a suit jacket. They typically rise about 6 to 8 inches up from the hem. But there are different types of vented suit jackets, one of the most common being single vent.
Single vent is exactly what it sounds like: a type of vented suit jacket that featured a single slit or vent on the back. This sole vent is found on the bottom-center of the back.
Single-vented suit jackets only have a single vent. Vents are slits that run vertically from the hem. You can find them by inspecting the back of a suit jacket. Single-vented suit jackets have a single vent that runs vertically about 6 to 8 inches up the back of the hem.
Double Vent
While some vented suit jackets have a single slit on the back, others have two slits on the back. Known as double vent, it features a similar design as other, single-vented suit jackets; the only difference is that double-vented suit jackets feature two vents on the back rather than one.
Double-vented suit jackets feature two vents. You can find them on the bottom-left and bottom-right sides of the back. The vents rise up about the same height as single vents.
Double-vented suit jackets are synonymous with British-designed formalwear. They originated in Great Britain well over a century ago. Since then, double-vented suit jackets have emerged in other countries. You can now find them in the United States, Canada, Australia and elsewhere. Double-vented suit jackets are the same as single-vented suit jackets except for their number of vents. Single-vented suit jackets have one vent, whereas double-vented suit jackets have two vents.
Ventless
Another option, of course, is ventless. Nearly all suit jackets have either one vent, two vents or no vents. Ventless suit jackets live up to their namesake by lacking any vents. When viewing the back of a ventless suit jacket, you'll notice that the hem runs straight across; it doesn't have any slits or vents.
Many tuxedos come with a ventless jacket. Tuxedoes differ from traditional suits in several ways. All tuxedos, for instance, feature satin facing. The satin facing is typically found on the lapels of the jacket, and it's found on the side of the trousers. Along with satin facing, most tuxedos also feature a ventless jacket.
You can always create your own tuxedo outfit by combining a pair of tuxedo trousers with a traditional vented suit jacket. Nonetheless, most tuxedos come with a ventless jacket.
Why Choose a Vented Suit Jacket?
Unless you've worn a vented suit jacket in the past, you might be wondering what benefits they offer over ventless suit jackets. The main benefit of choosing a vented suit jacket is comfort when sitting.
Whether it's a single-vented or double-vented suit jacket, it will flex when you sit. Vented suit jackets have one or more slits on the back that allow them to flex. Normally, sitting will constrict the back of your suit jacket. As you sit, your body will pull the back of your suit jacket. But vented suit jackets are designed with one or more slits on the back, which allows them to flex with your body.
With a vented suit jacket, you can sit more comfortably -- and without fear of overstretching your suit jacket. The slit or slits will provide flexibility. Vented suit jackets will flex with your body when you sit.
Aside from increased flexibility when sitting, vented suit jackets feature a different appearance than ventless suit jackets. Some men prefer the look of a single-vented or double-vented suit jacket. Vented suit jackets such as these offer a classic, timeless appearance. Other men, conversely, prefer the look of a ventless suit jacket.
You can choose either a vented suit jacket or a ventless suit jacket. Ultimately, it's a matter of personal preference. The only notable difference between them is that vented suit jackets have one or more slits on the back, which allows for greater flexibility when sitting. Ventless suit jackets lack these slits.
In Conclusion
Vents are slits on the back of a suit jacket. Most vented suit jackets feature either one or two vents. Single-vented suit jackets have a single vent on the bottom-center of the back. Double-vented suit jackets have two vents on the bottom-right and bottom-left of the back.
