What's the deal with buttons?

So there's a fashion “rule” for men that dictates the bottom buttons on single-breasted jackets are never buttoned and double-breasted jackets are never unbuttoned in public. WHY is this so?

History: King Edward VII (son of Victoria) was so heavy that he was unable to fasten the last button on his vest. His subjects, interpreting this to be a fashion statement, followed his lead and today no men’s sport or suit jacket or vest is designed to be have the bottom buttoned fastened.

Practical Reason: When the waist button alone is closed, it acts like a fulcrum for the jacket. You can move your chest, arms and upper torso more freely and are able to bend with less restriction. When all the buttons are fastened, the suit silouette becomes a cylinder, you look stiff, and bunching and wrinkling result as your movements pulls on the buttons.

Single breasted suit jackets can have one, two, three or more buttons. Two and three button jackets are classic while one or more than three buttons are more fashion forward and come and go with the times.

With three button jackets, you have the option of buttoning the middle or the top and middle buttons. Check the roll of the lapel on your three button suits as some designers intend the lapel to roll to the middle button – in this case you should leave the top button unfastened.

And don’t forget: Single breasted suits should always be buttoned when standing, but unbuttoned when seated. Remember when you stand up, button up. And in case you wear double breasted jackets, keep in mind that they are never unbuttoned in public.

Closet Power Tools - Part 3

OK – I promised you could make some $$ from your closet rejects. In these economic times, consignment stores are flourishing! Plato's Closet (geared toward teens)  and Clothes Mentor (geared more for adults) are making a big splash nationally as resellers of gently used clothes. They are picky about what they take, but if you or your kids have fashion-forward items, you can make money from your castoffs. There are many other independent consignment stores around, so check out the options your area.

If you simply donate your clothes to charity, and you itemize your deductions for taxes, then you are probably missing out on a big tax break. After a closet audit, my clients routinely take bags of clothes to the Salvation Army or Goodwill but many either don’t ask for the receipt for tax purposes or underestimate the value of the items they donate.
Try the free It's Deductible program to accurately track the value of your non-cash donations. You’ll be surprised at the correct resale value of common items as authorized by the IRS. For example, a high quality woman’s blazer is valued at $22 and $9 for a donated high quality men’s polo shirt. (I would have underestimated both.) The online It’s Deductible program (run by Intuit and TurboTax) ensures that you correctly track your donated items (not just clothes!) and lets you squeeze every legally deserved tax savings from your donations.

I've had clients realize tax savings up to $2500 just from cleaning out the closets and tracking their donations!