Gauntlet Button.....Do you keep it buttoned or let it open?

The button is there for a reason.

Please detail your insight. I have them on many of my shirts
and always button them. I have no idea why.

The gauntlet button is a very important engineering invention for the full sleeve shirt for the following reasons:

1. When buttoned, it keeps the tapered forearm in shape along with the cuff, in a slim fit. Had it not been there, the palms would not have gone through in the first place comfortably.
2. In a loose fitting, or relaxed fit shirt, the gauntlet button prevents the vent from ballooning and gathering behind the cuff, both barrel and French.
3. The need for a gauntlet button arises first due to the length of the cuff placket. The longer the placket, the greater is the comfort, and greater is the need to put the placket in place or else it opens up. In some shirts however, the length of the placket is less and hence the button may not be required.
4. The most important function of the gauntlet button arises when in Summer the cuff is folded up, twice, thrice or up above the elbow. The opened up button gives additional space for the sleeves to be turned back.
5. In a loose sleeved shirt, the gauntlet button should rather be closed, so that it holds the fold in place and prevents it from sliding back uncomfortably
6. In normal times the gauntlet button gives a formal, dressed up look when buttoned up.

It could also have a decorative function when closed with a metallic button matching the cufflinks. Some people have, especially males a wider elbow when the hands are drawn up. In such cases it is necessary to have a longer sleeve placket and a gauntlet button with it.

The thickness of the arm at the shoulder, the circumference of the elbow when the forearm is drawn and the circumference of the wrist are required to be balanced, and the gauntlet button is the functional keystone.

Finally, it gives a tailored look, more so with a button down collar.

Cambric.

The gauntlet button is a very important engineering invention for the full sleeve shirt for the following reasons:

1. When buttoned, it keeps the tapered forearm in shape along with the cuff, in a slim fit. Had it not been there, the palms would not have gone through in the first place comfortably.
2. In a loose fitting, or relaxed fit shirt, the gauntlet button prevents the vent from ballooning and gathering behind the cuff, both barrel and French.
3. The need for a gauntlet button arises first due to the length of the cuff placket. The longer the placket, the greater is the comfort, and greater is the need to put the placket in place or else it opens up. I some shirts however, the length of the placket is less and hence the button may not be required.
4. The most important function of the gauntlet button arises when in Summer the cuff is folded up, twice, thrice or up above the elbow. The opened up button gives additional space for the sleeves to be turned back.
5. In a loose sleeved shirt, the gauntlet button should rather be closed, so that it holds the fold in place and prevents it from sliding back uncomfortably
6. In normal times the gauntlet button gives a formal, dressed up look when buttoned up.

It could also have a decorative function when closed with a metallic button matching the cufflinks. Some people have, especially males a wider elbow when the hands are drawn up. In such cases it is necessary to have a longer sleeve placket and a gauntlet button with it.

The thickness of the arm at the shoulder, the circumference of the elbow when the forearm is drawn and the circumference of the wrist are required to be balanced, and the gauntlet button is the functional keystone.

Finally, it gives a tailored look, more so with a button down collar.

Cambric.

^ That

But more importantly, if you have a button there doesn't it look better buttoned?

If you have it, button it. I prefer shirts without them for a cleaner aesthetic.

I suppose I should button the gauntlet buttons for the reasons set forth above. In point of fact, I never do. Anyway, when I am striving for a "dressy" appearance, I almost invariably have a jacket on over the shirt, which effectively hides my lax, slovenly practice of leaving it unbuttoned.

P.S. I just checked, and the best shirts I own--from Chan and Mercer--lack gauntlet buttons, which fact makes me feel considerably less lax and slovenly.
Edited by JLibourel - 10/18/12 at 7:57pm

This type of reasoning has led to many a local weather man buttoning all three buttons on his suit

I've found it to be quite the opposite?  My higher end RTW (Finamore, BB Luxury) have them, whereas my lower end BB and other brands don't.  Also, RTW doesn't preclude 'nicer brand', RTW just means Ready To Wear, so any shirt that isn't made to measure or bespoke.  I've seen people with them open, and it just looks sloppy to me.  No sprezz, just bad.

Haha. Good point.

But in this case, it looks much better buttoned.