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

He became a fixture on television news, wearing either military style tactical gear or a long, double-breasted green overcoat with wide lapels that critics said was meant to echo Nazi German military garb.

From Barron's • Mar. 17, 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

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

L.A.-based Simon Miller knows how to craft stylish and cozy, as demonstrated in the Jetz coat, a dramatic faux-fur shearling coat with an oversized collar, side pockets and double-breasted front closure.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 8, 2024

A new, light gray, too dressy, double-breasted suit made him look even shorter than his five feet three and three- quarter inches.

From "Typical American" by Gish Jen