Double sided button - what is this?

[haganah]

I have an overcoat and on the outside there are normal sized buttons as one would expect that then go through a button hole. However, on the inside, there is a smaller button.

It almost looks like the bigger button is threaded through the fabric and connects to the smaller button.

The smaller button fell off and the bigger button is still on there.

What is the function of this double button then?

 

[Orgetorix]

Probably a backing button intended to anchor the outer button and give it a bit more strength. Not sure how one could fall off and not the other, though.

 

[Manton]

Yeah, it is basically an anchor to keep the big button from falling off.

 

[yachtie]

I have this done on jackets that have softer cloth- spreads the load out so the cloth doesn't tear.

 

[Cordovan]

Does anyone have those on suits or sportcoats as well - or just overcoats?

cordovan

 

[haganah]

Originally Posted by Manton

Yeah, it is basically an anchor to keep the big button from falling off.
What is the point of using another button instead of simply threading it through the fabric? And maybe I should pull on the big button because it still hasn't fallen off.

 

[haganah]

Originally Posted by yachtie

I have this done on jackets that have softer cloth- spreads the load out so the cloth doesn't tear.
Ah I see. Makes sense.