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Brass buttons for Blazer - or not?

DMcG

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I'm not a big fan of brass buttons either but am considering getting a new blazer soon. I do like non-shiny metal buttons though. Can some of you guys that like enameled buttons post pictures of ones that you like? I'm intrigued by that idea.
 

academe

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Not to throw a wrench in things, but what about silver or steel buttons? I some some Adriano & Sons blazers with silver or steel buttons with an aged patina that I thought looked quite good...
 

Bradford

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Originally Posted by spectre
I imagine it would look like this.

Any thoughts?

Attachment 10169


It could look like that if you are standing in front of a castle, yes.

Personally, I have blue blazers with both brass buttons and without. It all depends on how traditional you want to go. I have monogrammed brass buttons that I move from blazer to blazer as I get a new one. I have a double-breasted BB blazer with brass buttons (purchased from AlanC) and a 3-button Mani with dark blue buttons. It really just depends on the style you want to project.
 

JayJay

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Originally Posted by academe
Not to throw a wrench in things, but what about silver or steel buttons? I some some Adriano & Sons blazers with silver or steel buttons with an aged patina that I thought looked quite good...
I had silver buttons put on the last blazer that I bought. I liked them a lot but eventually gave the blazer away due to fit-related issues.
 

blahblahblah

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either type of buttons is just fine.
Nevermind the brass button haters. Brass button blazers are cool, but are a lot *less* forgiving than ones with other buttons. Meaning that brass buttons blazer needs to be particularly well tailored, and the rest of the look needs to be perfect. Otherwise, yes - it will look stupid.
(But that would make it the wearer's fault, won't it?)
 

s4usea

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The whole look is too collegiate or country club, and is too often the default look for guys that don't know how to dress or what to wear. When I see someone wearing one I can't help but think "nice buttons Admiral."
 

Teacher

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Originally Posted by academe
Not to throw a wrench in things, but what about silver or steel buttons? I some some Adriano & Sons blazers with silver or steel buttons with an aged patina that I thought looked quite good...

For me, that would be better than yellow metals, but I'd still prefer pewter.
 

maf

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Originally Posted by s4usea
The whole look is too collegiate or country club, and is too often the default look for guys that don't know how to dress or what to wear. When I see someone wearing one I can't help but think "nice buttons Admiral."

Exactly what I was thinking. It's too fraternity/ college preppy or yacht club for most of us to get away with.
 

Dranakin

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I'm a bit confused - if a blazer doesn't have brass/gold/otherwise non-standard buttons, what makes a navy blazer different from a navy suit jacket (coat from a navy suit)?
 

Teacher

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Originally Posted by Dranakin
I'm a bit confused - if a blazer doesn't have brass/gold/otherwise non-standard buttons, what makes a navy blazer different from a navy suit jacket (coat from a navy suit)?

Nothing.
 

John Ellis

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If it doesn't have brass buttons technically it's not a blazer. Over the years I've played with all sorts of combos but ultimately have come around to view that medium/heavy "sophisticated" fabrics really need the brass button to work. Of course there are brass buttons and brass buttons, basically the simpler the better. Some of the buttons out there proclaiming our patriotism or membership of the Pocomoke Shriners are completely over the top. These sorts of ugly buttons do rather support the ageist negative comments I'm seeing above but if you have an understated brass button it's the way to go on the formal fabrics. Now for summer weights in less formal fabrics I'd go with the horn button. Color depends on color of fabric obviously. Turning back to the brass buttoned blazer controversy there's no doubt they also look great with unusual pant combinations like jeans, chinos, colored pants in some colors. And they can be dressed up or down with open necked dress shirts, turtles in wool (NOT COTTON) etc. If you don't like brass buttons, fine, wear a sportcoat but you're missing a great appearance enhancer because most guys of any age look good in them which is why they are so popular with the older male and also in those epicenters of male good taste: Italy and France.
 

blahblahblah

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Originally Posted by John Ellis
If it doesn't have brass buttons technically it's not a blazer. Over the years I've played with all sorts of combos but ultimately have come around to view that medium/heavy "sophisticated" fabrics really need the brass button to work. Of course there are brass buttons and brass buttons, basically the simpler the better. Some of the buttons out there proclaiming our patriotism or membership of the Pocomoke Shriners are completely over the top. These sorts of ugly buttons do rather support the ageist negative comments I'm seeing above but if you have an understated brass button it's the way to go on the formal fabrics. Now for summer weights in less formal fabrics I'd go with the horn button. Color depends on color of fabric obviously. Turning back to the brass buttoned blazer controversy there's no doubt they also look great with unusual pant combinations like jeans, chinos, colored pants in some colors. And they can be dressed up or down with open necked dress shirts, turtles in wool (NOT COTTON) etc. If you don't like brass buttons, fine, wear a sportcoat but you're missing a great appearance enhancer because most guys of any age look good in them which is why they are so popular with the older male and also in those epicenters of male good taste: Italy and France.

+ 1
icon_gu_b_slayer[1].gif

Also, what's wrong with the collegiate look? (as long as it's done naturally, not in a contrived ridiculous ralphf lauren sort of way...)
 

blahblahblah

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Originally Posted by s4usea
The whole look is too collegiate or country club, and is too often the default look for guys that don't know how to dress or what to wear. When I see someone wearing one I can't help but think "nice buttons Admiral."

Now that's a bit over the top: sure, the navy origins are obvious, but the men's suit coat in general *comes directly from the military uniform*, with some minor refinements occuring over the years. So, do you think *nice jacket, corporal* everytime you see a man in a suit?
(Also, back to the bras buttons, what if whoever you see rocking the brass buttons has no boat, but is a captain of industry, thank you very much
bigstar[1].gif
laugh.gif
?)
 

Manton

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Originally Posted by Teacher
Nothing.

I would not say this. You can make a blue odd jacket stand out in other ways. Two give two examples:

One "blazer" I have is made from a very soft twill topcoating. The cloth would make a light topcoat. As a blazer, it's heavy but nice for winter. The twill is very pronounced, like a cavalry twill on a bigger scale. The cloth also has a significant nap. The coat is 3 roll 2, flapped pockets, side vents, and blue horn buttons. But the cloth makes it obviously an odd jacket and not a suit.

Another blazer I have is also 3 roll 2 side vents. It's a ten ounce fresco. So far, sounds like a suit. But it has three open patch pockets, swelled edges, and brown horn buttons. Also obviously not a suit coat.

In sum, there are things you can do in terms of cloth selection and detailing that make a blue odd jacekt not look like a suit coat, short of having to use brass buttons.
 

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