double-breasted

American  

[duhb-uhl-bres-tid] / ˈdʌb əlˈbrɛs tɪd /

adjective

1. (of a coat, jacket, etc.) overlapping sufficiently in front to allow for two rows of buttons.

2. (of a suit) having a coat or jacket that so overlaps.

---

double-breasted British  

adjective

1. (of a garment) having overlapping fronts such as to give a double thickness of cloth

---

Etymology

Origin of double-breasted

First recorded in 1695–1700

Compare meaning

How does double-breasted compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• double-breasted vs. single-breasted

Example Sentences

Williams rocked an all-black Balenciaga ensemble -- double-breasted suit, shirt and tie -- with a glittering brooch to finish the look.

From Barron's • Mar. 15, 2026

Barack Obama was criticized for answering reporters’ questions in an “informal” tan suit, while Secretary of Labor George Shultz was once lampooned for appearing in an “old-fashioned” double-breasted suit.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 16, 2026

Infiniti wore a sleeveless yellow Louis Vuitton number, while Taylor's menswear-inspired look by Saint Laurent included a wool double-breasted jacket adorned with feathers.

From BBC • Jan. 5, 2026

Indeed, the collection taps into 1950s-era silhouettes and trends: slim pencil skirts, double-breasted jackets and nipped-in waists.

From Salon • Nov. 9, 2025

Pollard, still underweight, was bundled into a double-breasted black suit, the left pant leg slit over his cast.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand