Sewed on Buttons = Still Classy?

[jakeyt]

I'm looking at a suit (pretty expensive) and it has sewed on buttons... For the price (very expensive) why wouldn't they just make functional button holes?

 

[aravenel]

Because then you can't have the sleeve length altered without taking it in from the sleevehead, which is difficult and expensive. It very well might be basted for working button holes though.

 

[satorstyle]

very few off the rack have functional buttonholes. it's usually a custom detail.

 

[Douglas]

99% of OTR suits have sewn-on buttons. The reason for not putting in permanent functional buttonholes is that sleeve lengths virtually always need to be altered, and if the buttonholes are already cut, you can have a problem. You always have the option of adding them yourself, if you like... though I believe that gets complicated because the lining needs adjustment. I've never done it myself.

 

[Cant kill da Rooster]

What do you call "very expensive"? If you dropped 4k on a Brioni, then just have the button holes added for about $100.

 

[jakeyt]

Originally Posted by Cant kill da Rooster

What do you call "very expensive"? If you dropped 4k on a Brioni, then just have the button holes added for about $100.

I call Brioni expensive... and yes its a Brioni suit.

 

[Cant kill da Rooster]

Satorstyle nailed it. Even for Brioni. Some OTR suits come with the buttons separately so you can add the holes. I know Isaia does this and so does BB on some suits. Not sure who else. You still have to pay extra though.

 

[Sanguis Mortuum]

Originally Posted by jakeyt

why wouldn't they just make functional button holes?

Because then you can't have the sleeve length altered and you walk around like an idiot with sleeves that are swallowing your hands. If you want functional button-holes, you have them added at the same time.