What is a Vent and What is It For?

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

History - Like many modern menswear details, vents originated from military heritage. As a functional necessity while traveling horseback, the vent provided comfort to the rider by allowing the jacket’s tails to part and fall gracefully along the sides of the horse. Not only did vents ease the buttoned jacket from bunching and constricting the body while seated, it prevented unattractive fabric creasing where the bunching would have occurred.

While very few men today travel by horse, the same functional principle applies in any situation where you need to be seated with your jacket on. Another benefit of the rear vent is that it permits easier access to your trouser pocket: the give from the vent negates excess fabric gathering and pulling as you dig your hand under the jacket to get into your pocket.

There are three type of Suit Vent

1. Single Suit Vent / Center Vent - A single vent sits directly in the center back of the jacket hem. Since gaining popularity with Ivy League types in the mid-20th century, 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 blazers given its simpler aesthetic. A jacket with a single vent is faster, easier and less expensive for mass market manufacturers to make.  

As far as fit and aesthetic, its omnipresence means 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 extra junk in his trunk as side vents can flare out in ways that some consider distracting.

2. Double Suit Vent / Side Vent - The double vent (or side vents) features twin openings that sit on each side of the jacket’s back hem.

Suits with double vents are commonly associated with British tailoring lineage, giving the wearer a more sophisticated and European flair in their style. Double-vented jackets naturally require more time and more cost to produce. 

This air of exclusivity makes the double vent an ideal choice for the guy who wants to stand out and be seen as style-savvy. Most body types, other than the one mentioned above, will find this style flattering.

3. No Vent - The third and final suit vent option is not much of an option at all — a ventless jacket.

The no vent jacket features an unbroken silhouette that is only ever appropriate with formal wear. Specifically, on the backs of a tuxedo jacket. 

Comparison - 

Sr. No	Property	Center Vent	Side Vent	No Vent
1	Best Style	Casual / Sport Blazer	All Styles	Tuxedo
2	Body Type	A person having protruding behind	Athletic	Slim
3	Cost of production	Low	High	Low
4	Alteration	Difficult	Easy	Difficult
5	Can you put your hand in Pocket	Avoid	Yes	No
6	Most Famous in	America	England	Italy

Now that you know the types of suit vents available and how to choose between them. So, you can rest easy knowing the back of your suit looks just as good as the front.