Functional non-sleeve buttons

dsmolken · May 14, 2009

If you're not to button the bottom button of a jacket, why do we still bother to make that buttonhole functional? I mean, a fake buttonhole or one with some thread just closing the middle would keep many millions of men from making the mistake of buttoning it. And it might cost a fraction of a cent less so low-end RTW brands really should be doing it. I mean, that button works even on suits with fake lapel buttonholes. That makes no sense.

Is the real function of that button to make it easier to distinguish between the classy folk and "the masses"?

Cas Ruffin · May 14, 2009

How about we just have one-button suits? Problem solved.

rebel222 · May 14, 2009

Because they would loose sales from idiots who think you button it. They would move on to the next suit w/ a working buttonhole.

Cas Ruffin · May 14, 2009

Originally Posted by rebel222

Because they would loose sales from idiots who think you button it. They would move on to the next suit w/ a working buttonhole.

+1 And if you're forgetting, there's a market for four-button suits and people who wear those button up all of those. There's a lot of confusion in the air and a lot of money to be captured. That's why they don't put in a button that DOESN'T WORK.

Toorman · May 14, 2009

got to seperate the wheat from the chaff.

PocketTriangle · May 14, 2009

Maybe it's just me, but I find one-button suits too austere.

Also, putting in working buttonholes, even when it's not necessary, is often used as a sign of craftsmanship (like working cuffs, which should never be left unbuttoned).

Finally, the lower button can come in handy. Walking outside on a windy day, it's preferable to button both buttons than to have your jacket flapping around in the wind, IMO.

otc · May 14, 2009

Originally Posted by PocketTriangle

Also, putting in working buttonholes, even when it's not necessary, is often used as a sign of craftsmanship (like working cuffs, which should never be left unbuttoned).

Like having a working lapel button. Often there is no associated button underneath the other lapel but it is still nice to have a real buttonhole there...handy if you want to shove a flower in there.

I saw philadelphia story last week and there was a scene where cary grant had his lapels up and buttoned on his jacket and it looked great (also...saw Notorious last night and while it was neither Grant nor Hitchcock's best work, there were some nice looking suits).

eHaberdasher · May 14, 2009

Originally Posted by otc

I saw philadelphia story last week and there was a scene where cary grant had his lapels up and buttoned on his jacket and it looked great (also...saw Notorious last night and while it was neither Grant nor Hitchcock's best work, there were some nice looking suits).

Interesting as we are strongly considering having a button hole lapel with a button on the underside of the opposite lapel on a new model of the Benjamin suit, as I myself have flipped my lapels up on chilly days when I'm caught without a coat. hmmmm...

a tailor · May 15, 2009

Originally Posted by eHaberdasher

Interesting as we are strongly considering having a button hole lapel with a button on the underside of the opposite lapel on a new model of the Benjamin suit, as I myself have flipped my lapels up on chilly days when I'm caught without a coat. hmmmm...

we always placed that button on top coats and over coats. called it the storm button.
it comes handy in a storm.

bigbris1 · May 15, 2009

Storm buttons are completely rational, as are bottom buttons which can be used when the wind keeps blowing up your skirt.

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Functional non-sleeve buttons

dsmolken

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