[turk100]

I still have a few ventless suit jackets and they seem very uncomfortable when I bend, reach or even put my hands in my pant pockets. Are ventless jackets something of the past? Were they ever considered traditional or a 90's thing? Or, are they still acceptable?

 

[David Reeves]

They are and were a more formal option and that is why they should always be seen on Dinner suits. Fine on a more formal suit that isn't a Dinner suit (Tux)

Nothing wrong with a vent less jacket

 

[Cruiser]

All three of my suits and most of my sport coats are ventless. The suits came that way and I had the vents closed on the sport coats by my alterations tailor. I like the sleeker look of the ventless jackets, especially since I often wear my my suits and jackets casually with an open collared shirt, and on Saturday night sleeker is better. :icon_smile_big:

Despite what many say, I've never noticed any difference in the comfort level between a jacket with vents and one without.

Cruiser

 

[Dashiell.Valentine]

I also like the look of a ventless jacket. On this forum they occasionally seem to get pegged to the 80's but they were also popular in the 30s, 50s, and probably every decade in between. I watch old movies and see lots of ventless suits. Especially on detectives.

If you spend a lot of time on your feet, it seems practical. If you spend a lot of time sitting at a desk or on a horse, maybe a vent or two would be useful.

 

[gnatty8]

Nothing dated about ventless at all. If you find them uncomfortable when you bend, unbutton them first. Also consider not putting things in your trouser pockets that you need to reach for constantly. Of course, you could also just buy vented suits going forward..

 

[Buffalo]

Totally a matter of personal preference, I personally don't like the ventless look. To each his own.

 

[Mannix]

I don't mind ventless jackets because I like the vintage look they have to them. They may not be 'in' right now, but it's fine to wear them. If they're uncomfortable for you then go with a different jacket...and send them over here to me :icon_smile_big:

 

[Cavaliere]

The 'ventless' coat (or, if you prefer, 'jacket') is believed to be the most formal option. This is why dinner jackets and the black jacket worn with a black waistcoat and striped trousers - now worn in the UK only by a minority of (elderly) barristers and some hotel staff - are traditionally ventless.

The ventless coat is sleek and, most women agree, more sexy than its vented counterpart. The disadvantage is of course that the skirt tends to ruck when the wearer plants his hands in his trouser pockets (when the coat is fastened). I also think that twin or double vents lend the illusion of greater leg length.

Another problem to watch out for - and it is this which is more likely to date the coat - is to avoid studiously any ventless coat made in the mid-80s to early 90s (or one following that trend): the notch of the revers tends to be very low. Not only is this dated, but it compromises the 'authority' of the suit.

 

[Relayer]

My best suit is ventless. I like it quite a lot.

 

[Jovan]

I don't mind ventless jackets because I like the vintage look they have to them. They may not be 'in' right now, but it's fine to wear them. If they're uncomfortable for you then go with a different jacket...and send them over here to me :icon_smile_big:

+1

Cary Grant, James Stewart, and countless other stars wore ventless suits and sport coats and look no less the gentlemen for it even today.

Another problem to watch out for - and it is this which is more likely to date the coat - is to avoid studiously any ventless coat made in the mid-80s to early 90s (or one following that trend): the notch of the revers tends to be very low. Not only is this dated, but it compromises the 'authority' of the suit.

You're very right. The low notches of then are pretty awful, but so are the ridiculously HIGH notches of fashion suits now. That too will look dated in about ten years, if not sooner.