Boutonniere problem

[Ascot Everyday]

Dear all,

My wedding is coming up and I have an issue with the boutonniere. I had a tuxedo made for the occasion, from a reputable tailor in these forums.

The tux is fantastic and fits beautifully, but the tailor did not put in a lapel buttonhole. When I asked why, he told me that because of the thick silk he used for the lapel facings and because they stitch the buttonhole by hand, the buttonhole may come out uneven and it will not be aesthetically pleasing. He said that if I really needed it he can of course open one but he did not recommend it. He said it would be better to just pin the flower to the lapel. I am wary of doing that as it might leave a hole on the silk and ruin it.

Now of course I am a little baffled, as I have seen many tuxedos with lapel buttonholes that are hand stiched and that look fine, and I have a Tom Ford tux with a hand stiched buttonhole that looks very good. However I do not want to second guess my tailor and if he can't do it I don't know who can as he is always ranked on here as the top 2 or 3 in my city.

I wouldn't mind not having the buttonhole in normal circumstances, but for my wedding we have planned to have boutonnieres for the whole wedding party and it would look a lot better in my opinion.

Would anyone have any suggestions or alternatives to my problem? Thanks!

 

[Veremund]

Have the number one tailor in your area do it.

 

[Ankor]

A bit strange situation, I believe tailor should open buttonhole. Was you told buttonhole will not be opened before you asked for it? I believe operating buttonhole is a necessary part of the tuxedo and if something wrong will happen it's tailor's fault, not yours.

"Just pin the flower to the lapel" advice is weird IMO, I don't think it looks right.

 

[Ascot Everyday]

Thank you, although I do not think they will take the risk of working on a coat made by a competitor just to open a buttonhole.

 

[Ascot Everyday]

A bit strange situation, I believe tailor should open buttonhole. Was you told buttonhole will not be opened before you asked for it? I believe operating buttonhole is a necessary part of the tuxedo and if something wrong will happen it's tailor's fault, not yours.

"Just pin the flower to the lapel" advice is weird IMO, I don't think it looks right.

If something goes wrong it is his fault, but then I will be left without a tux for my wedding. The tux is wonderful in every aspect except for this one detail, so it would be a shame not to wear it on the day. It would also be a shame to ruin what is otherwise an exquisite garnment.

 

[Ascot Everyday]

I am considering a clip on the inner side of the lapel, with the flower arrangement hiding it. Would it work or would it be as bad as clip on braces?

 

[Monkeyface]

Just go for the clip on, it's not rocket science.

 

[GBR]

It is not normal to have a hole in the lapel of an evening dress. Your tailor is quite right.

 

[Ascot Everyday]



Just go for the clip on, it's not rocket science.

Thanks, I know it sounds anal and that I am over thinking things, but it is the biggest day of my life and I just want everything to be perfect, and since I have such an interest in clothing I don't want it to look bad 20 years on when I look at my wedding pictures. Cheers!

 

[Ascot Everyday]



It is not normal to have a hole in the lapel of an evening dress. Your tailor is quite right.

Really? I've been browsing the web and this forum for a while now and most of the ones I've seen on fine gentlemen I.e. Prince Charles, Cary Grant, various bonds and our very own :foo: all have lapel holes...

 

[QVT93]

I pinned mine directly to the lapel for my wedding 10 days ago. No button hole, and there was no problem at all.