Working cuff buttons

tonylumpkin · Apr 29, 2007

A question posed to me by my wife.

Those of you who have spent the extra money to have working buttons built into your suits...do you ever use them? Under what conditions? What advantage do they provide you, or are they merely affectation?

Parker · Apr 29, 2007

Odd, but to me it seems more of an affectation to have buttons on a sleeve cuff that don't actualy work. Even if one never actually unbuttons them. I have a couple suits with working buttons, but I just leave them buttoned.

redcaimen · Apr 29, 2007

I would say almost entirely affectation, but strangely, I feel that the suits I have with this done are more "real" than the ones with the fake buttons. Aren't fake buttons the original affectation? There are people here who know a great deal about the history of the suit and might be able to explain how and why the "appendix" of the suit became functional again.

tonylumpkin · Apr 29, 2007

Originally Posted by Parker

it seems more of an affectation to have buttons on a sleeve cuff that don't actualy work.

An excellent point!

Silk · Apr 29, 2007

While we are at this topic, is there a rule regarding leaving the last button (ie the button closest to the end of the sleeve) undone?

Come to think of it, working cuff buttons might accomodate huge watches.

lee_44106 · Apr 29, 2007

I unbutton the first buttons, to make my suits look expensive.

Buickguy · Apr 29, 2007

Originally Posted by redcaimen

I would say almost entirely affectation, but strangely, I feel that the suits I have with this done are more "real" than the ones with the fake buttons. Aren't fake buttons the original affectation? There are people here who know a great deal about the history of the suit and might be able to explain how and why the "appendix" of the suit became functional again.
I was told the origins of sleeve buttons was from Napoleon's army. He had them put on to stop the men from wiping their noses on their sleeves.

odoreater · Apr 29, 2007

I unbutton them when I have to roll up my sleeves to strangle people.

tonylumpkin · Apr 29, 2007

Originally Posted by odoreater

I unbutton them when I have to roll up my sleeves to strangle people.

Should we to assume then that this is a feature on all your suits?

robin · Apr 29, 2007

Originally Posted by tonylumpkin

Should we to assume then that this is a feature on all your suits?

Perhaps he has a special pocket for the piano wire as well?

zjpj83 · Apr 29, 2007

Suits without them are less complete. I never unbutton mine (though sometimes I fiddle with them when I'm feeling impatient). But it's a feature I would never consider not adding for the sake of saving a few bucks. It doesn't add anything to the suit other than the wearer's knowing that he didn't cut any corners. That gives peace of mind and satisfaction to the wearer. It's sort of like how I buy John Lobb shoe trees with my John Lobb shoes. They are overpriced, but there's something satisfying about taking out the shoe, removing the Lobb shoe trees before putting on the shoes, and so on. The shoe feels more complete - just the way it should be. Same with a suit with surgeon's cuffs. It just feels more satisfying.

LabelKing · Apr 29, 2007

Surgeon cuffs.

JPYPSU07 · Apr 29, 2007

Originally Posted by Buickguy

I was told the origins of sleeve buttons was from Napoleon's army. He had them put on to stop the men from wiping their noses on their sleeves.

I actually had an MCAT verbal reasoning passage on British and their "suit wearing tradition". According to the passage since early buttons were made of bone or solid mother of pearl the buttons were often fragile and broke easily, by sewing extra buttons onto the sleeve they could then be taken from the sleeve and replace the missing button. The things you learn while trying to get into medical school........

Augusto86 · Apr 29, 2007

Originally Posted by lee_44106

I unbutton the first buttons, to make my suits look expensive.
+1

Originally Posted by odoreater

I unbutton them when I have to roll up my sleeves to strangle people.
So if we see you with waterfall buttons - we know we're safe? Or can you sew working waterfall cuffs?

I like to fiddle with them - otherwise I fiddle with my silk knots, which wears out the buttonholes. Then people ask why I can unbutton my sleeves, and I explain the suit is bespoke, and then they ask what is bespoke, and then I explain my suits are custom-made, and voila...a hot girl is talking to me about something I am an engaging expert in!

DocHolliday · Apr 29, 2007

I must confess: I've watched several Italian films lately, and my aversion to leaving a cuff button undone has started to waver. Perhaps it's how they seem to wear their clothes with such casualness ...

Someone talk me back from the edge.

Working cuff buttons

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