Replacing the leather buttons on a Harris Tweed sportscoat.

[bluemagic]

I like Harris Tweed, but I don't like the look and feel of leather buttons. Would it ruin the jacket to replace the buttons? If not, what color/texture/size would you recommend? What about sources for the buttons?

Thanks.

 

[j]

I don't really like them either. Contrasting (well, not exactly color matching, I should say) horn buttons are a good choice for tweed. I don't know of a place where you can easily buy decent ones, but you could always thrift a coat with good looking buttons and cut them off.

 

[bluemagic]

Great close-up photo on that shirt in the WAYWT thread, by the way, J. I feel the logo slightly ruins that shirt, though.

 

[j]

I don't mind it, being stylized enough to not look like a real monogram. If I decide I don't like it I could pick it out of there or color it in with a blue sharpie

 

[Mildly Consumptive]

Originally Posted by bluemagic

If not, what color/texture/size would you recommend? What about sources for the buttons?

Horn buttons are pretty classic. The colour of the buttons will depend on the colour of the tweed, and shouldn't match exactly. In terms of texture, you have the choice of matte or polished. I prefer matte because the glossy finish of polished horn buttons looks like plastic.

The size of the buttons will depend on the cut of the jacket and your personal taste. From what I can tell, single-breasted jackets take smaller buttons than double-breasted.

If you are anywhere near NYC, you can buy RJ Weldon brand horn buttons at Tender Buttons. I think they do mail order as well, but I have no experience with it.

 

[bluemagic]

Thank you for your excellent help, MC.

 

[FlyingMonkey]

Agreed that horn is the best-looking option in most circumstances- although, depending on the exact nature of the colour and pattern, other natural materials - different woods or even bamboo, for example - might work, if you fancy experimenting.

If you really want to replace the leather-covered ones like-for-like, moulded plastic copies of leather buttons are available, and I used these on one old coat I have, but I don't really recommend it.