Shirt cuff buttons

[thejackal]

Is there a purpose to shirts having 2 buttons on the cuff or is this just to allow for different size wrists?

 

[pstoller]

Well, allowing for different wrist sizes is one purpose. It also allows you to compensate for the presence or absence of wristwatches or bracelets, and it's a handy way of storing spare buttons in case you lose one. (Or two.) I can't think of any other good reasons for them to be there, but I think the reasons I came up with are good enough.

 

[bengal-stripe]

There are two ways of having double buttoned shirt cuffs. One way gives you the option to tighten the cuff, because one button is close to the edge and the other an inch or so futher into the cuff; corresponding is one button hole which will take either button.

There is also a double buttoned cuff, Savile Row shirt makers are very fond of. Here both buttons (in the case of Turnbull & Asser even three) are on the same line, close to the edge and each has it's corresponding button hole. This ia a design feature and is supposed to represent quality.

 

[bengal-stripe]

Sorry, mistake. Shirt makers are in London's Jermyn Street, not in Savile Row; that's where the tailors are.

 

[Jared]

Originally Posted by bengal-stripe

There is also a double buttoned cuff, Savile Row shirt makers are very fond of. Here both buttons (in the case of Turnbull & Asser even three) are on the same line, close to the edge and each has it's corresponding button hole. This ia a design feature and is supposed to represent quality.
So two-button cuffs (which are usually longer than single-button, I believe), are a classic style rather than a fashion? How about mitered cuffs? I like two-button mitered cuffs and just want to make sure I'm not just being a trend-whore.

 

[epa]

Originally Posted by bengal-stripe

There are two ways of having double buttoned shirt cuffs. One way gives you the option to tighten the cuff, because one button is close to the edge and the other an inch or so futher into the cuff; corresponding is one button hole which will take either button.

There is also a double buttoned cuff, Savile Row shirt makers are very fond of. Here both buttons (in the case of Turnbull & Asser even three) are on the same line, close to the edge and each has it's corresponding button hole. This ia a design feature and is supposed to represent quality.

Recently I have started to have my non-French cuff dress shirts made that way, that is, with the double buttoned, slightly longer, cuff. I sometimes feel like leeving the last button (the one closest to the end of the sleeve) unbuttoned, I actually like the way it looks, a bit "casual" or sprezzatura so to say, but I am not sure that it is appropriate (according to the Rules).