Jeffrey Westbrook/Studio D

If one's suit bears peaked or notched lapels, is it appropriate for his vest to bear lapels? Furthermore, if one's suit bears peaked lapels, is it appropriate for his vest lapels to be notched?

— Nick Karras, McAllen, Tex.

Blimey. This is a level-three sartorial question, and it's gratifying to know our readers are pondering at such levels. Vests with lapels are not technically wrong, but a vest without lapels would be my preference. Lapels on a vest look dressier and feel bulkier, and since a suit with a vest is already a killer look, there's no need to over-egg it. As to the rest of your question: If your jacket lapels are peaked, the vest should not be notched. You might consider going with a peaked-lapel vest under a peaked-lapel jacket only if the vest itself is double-breasted. But that's level four.

Got a question for Nick Sullivan? E-mail him at esqstyle@hearst.com.

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