Is there such a thing as "expensive" looking buttons? - YouLookFab Forum

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Is there such a thing as "expensive" looking buttons?

ATLynn

Veteran

Hi everyone - I desperately needed a new winter coat, and bought this one in the Marine color to use as a stopgap while I continue my search for the one.
http://www1.macys.com/shop/pro.....71&pl

It's a classic, simple, functional all purpose coat, but it has these shiny plastic branded buttons that I would like to replace. This seems like a simple thing, but I've never had to shop for buttons.

Does anyone have any ideas of what kind of buttons would work for a coat like this? Any particular button trends out there? Or are black/tortoise/metal classics the way to go with a classic coat? And, if a classic, like the the subject says, is there such a thing as quality/high end/expensive looking buttons? Where does Burberry source their buttons?

Thanks for humouring a silly request.

Kenneth Cole Reaction Belted Wool-Blend Walker Coat

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Latest reply was from DonnaF

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Sawyer Brook has great buttons, and they're really nice folks - if you email them with a picture of your coat I bet they can give you suggestions. I could give you other recs for fabric stores that have good button options as well - Britex would be a good option for higher-end stuff too.

Otherwise if you have an independent fabric store in your area it might be worth a look. (IME Jo-ann's, Hobby Lobby, etc., don't have a wide selection, especially in larger coat buttons.) Here in the SF area Stonemountain and Daughter has a great button collection at their store, but I don't think they have them online. Sometimes the difference between cheap and expensive-looking is all about the sheen/material, which is hard to determine online.

As re style choices, matching red buttons would be ideal but might be tricky to find in the exact right shade. You could do black if you wanted, or a metallic that's a little less shiny than the original ones that are on it. Or a tortoise-shell look would be very chic.

ATLynn

Veteran

Thanks Laura, that was really helpful! I'll see if I find some local fabric stores this weekend (all of the good ones I know are for upholstery, ha!), and will definitely be checking out your online recs.

unfrumped

Veteran

You can indeed start with the local fabric stores--for something simple you might get lucky, for the blue coat, a pewter or brushed nickel or oxidized metal of some sort. Even a dark plastic could work if you're not bent on something really unique, but subtle and not branded.

Anonymous

When I think of good buttons, I think of cloth- or leather-covered ones or something made of quality metal or wood. Definitely not plastic!

Sal

Veteran

I have swapped buttons often. We have a great old fashioned emporium that has a HUGE selection here. I have often chosen shell or wooden ones, and even the right plastic ones can be okay. To me it is an easy/cheap way to lift the quality of a garment.

Deb

Veteran

Nice coat you have chosen. I also swap buttons sometimes...it is a good way to individualise your clothing. Button quality is usually reflected in the price and since you only need three plus a spare, you can afford to splurge a bit. Take your coat with you to try the buttons upon the coat to help you decide and to get the size right. I'd predict that black leather or dull silvery metallic might look good. You need to try them to see what pleases your eye.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Yarn shops can be a good source of buttons, too.
I find button-shopping trial-and-error. Take the coat along and lay the buttons on it to judge. No idea what Burberry uses, but I'm sure they would have buttons made for them.

deb

Veteran

I have ordered buttons from both of these sites.

http://www.distinctivebuttons.com/

http://www.mjtrim.com/buttons

Anonymous

Leather or horn buttons would look really nice on that coat. You could always try a thrift store on dollar day. I have found hideous garments and bought them just for their buttons (and it's a plus that your coat doesn't have dozens of them to replace). Make sure you get ones meant for a coat's thickness and use strong button thread when sewing them on.

Aubergine

Veteran

I actually just did this with a Michael Kors coat that had the same kind of overly branded buttons. Glad I'm not the only one who gets bugged by things like that!

I'm not really a DIY person at all, so had never looked for buttons either. I ended up getting some nice simple gold ones from Mood Fabrics (http://www.moodfabrics.com/buttons.html), and also found http://www.lotsofbuttons.com/en/, which seemed promising, while Googling.

rachylou

Veteran

My first though was Britex too

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I do the same thing Claire does - I have found some gorgeous buttons thrifting. Other places I would look: etsy, eBay, garage sales, church rummage sales.

But one of the best, free sources of buttons are older female relatives, because they come from a generation of saving and salvaging. My mom and grandma both have big bags of buttons I am planning to go through during the holidays.

ATLynn

Veteran

Thanks everyone. The online suggestions have really helped point me in the right direction. I think I'm going to do some quick online shopping for black/pewter/darlk horn/metal/leather buttons for a quick replacement, and then I'm sure I will start noticing buttons everywhere and on everything. And any excuse to go thrifting/scavenging...

LBD - So true. My mother is a total sewing notions hoarder, and I will be digging through her stash soon. The first and last time I replaced buttons on a wool coat (many years ago), I didn't need to go button shopping because I used some beautiful antique mother of pear buttons from my grandmother. They weren't necessarily the best button for the job, but I smiled everytime I buttoned up that coat.

DonnaF

Veteran

Coats used to have a small button sewn on the backside to help secure the large button. Your mom may have ones you can use if this coat doesn't have them. As long as you are going through the effort to replace the buttons, you may as well ensure that they don't come off.