Bad luck with BR-buttons - YouLookFab Forum

When I visited San Diego this Summer, I bought several garments at Banana Republic. Yesterday I wore a 3/4 sleeved BR-blouse for the first time. It has a tie in the waist and 11 small buttons in the front. The buttons are made from the same fabric as the blouse. It is in black, gray, beige and white, but was also available in purple. It's no longer available on the website, or I'd shown you which one.

After a few hours the buttons started to fall off! When I discovered it, one was already lost, but I managed to rescue the rest. 5 out of 11 buttons fell off at the same time. Not a pleasant experience at all! I thought BR was better quality than this. Now I'm short of one button, and I will not be able to replace it. I must buy a whole new set or try to find a very similar one. BR is very far from Norway, alas, and it is probably a lot of hazzle to get this straightened out with them. I just needed to get this off my chest. Sorry if I sound very upset - I'm not, only a bit disappointed because I really liked the blouse.

What is your experience with the BR-quality in general? Should I suspect that more of my new garments will disintegrate quicker than I like?

13 years ago

Jyoti

(website)

Veteran

I don't have too many pieces from BR, but I am actually quite surprised by your story. In my experience and from what I have heard of BR in general, the quality is good and solid. I would at this point treat this as a one-off and not be too worried that your other BR items would fall apart too quickly.

However-- who knows! Perhaps you got a batch of poorly-made items or BR's quality is falling recently.

I'd see how the other items hold up before passing the final judgement!

Anonymous

I have had really good luck with the quality at BR as well.

I have several pieces by BR, a lot of my work wardrobe comes from them. I've had good luck overall. The only item that I recall having a bit of an issue with was a sweater that pilled horribly the first time I wore it. BR took it back.

Could it be that this particular blouse was below quality control standards?

Perhaps you call BR.com or the store you bought it from and ask if they can give you a credit. Why not.

Kim

I would, at the very least, send BR an email and complain. They need to know that somewhere on their line someone is not doing a good job, and perhaps they can correct it.

They may be able to do something for you if you contact them. Perhaps they could send you some spare buttons by mail.

Also, did you look inside the shirt at the garment care tag? Often I find a spare button is sewn on there.

Suz

Usually BR provides extra buttons and thread with their shirts. I have a whole stack of them in my drawers from things bought over the years -- never used. So obviously in most cases the buttons stay put!

In my experience BR is good quality for the price point. We are not talking about designer fashion, but my stuff from them usually lasts and looks good for several seasons at the minimum. Like Zapotee, my only negative experience really was a sweater that pilled earlier than I expected. I kept it anyway because it was such a useful style and it is only for casual wear.

I'd contact them and see if they can help you. They may be able to send replacement buttons.

Diana

Generally I've found their quality pretty good. I don't know what it is about button attachment, but it's one thing that often doesn't seem to track with the quality of the rest of the item (although I've never had 5 fall off all at once!). I'm surprised there were no extra buttons - usually BR items come with them. Or maybe it is like a men's shirt where the extra button is on the inside bottom of the placket? I've also sometimes taken the very top or very bottom button off to replace a middle one, depending on how I wear the shirt. If it's a standard crew-neck type button-down, I never use the very top button anyway. Similarly if it's a long top for tucking I don't usually bother to do the very bottom button.

I would check the buttons themselves though. If so many came off at once, that suggests to me that the buttons may have sharp edges (are they metal?) that are cutting the thread. If that is the case, you might be better off replacing them all since it will likely happen again.

Ingunn

Thank you for every constructive comment! I've checked the tag, and there are no extra buttons in this case. I'll send a mail to their customer service about this, and I'm sure they will sort it out somehow. My general impression of this company is very good. I received excellent service in the shop, and do I believe the quality of their garments in general is adequate compared to their price point. Regarding this blouse in particular, I believe that the way the buttons have been fastened is the week point. The thread is very smooth, and the fabric is too.When no knot is made, it is only natural that it unravels. I will try to reposition or swap them. I have included a photo of the blouse if anyone is interested.

I really like BR-designs for work appropriate garments, and I suppose I will be shopping there again whenever I return to the US.

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harmonica

Sounds like you have found a good way to sort this out. Let us know how BR costumer service handles your approach.

Mita

Active Member

Hi, I have had problems with buttons from many companies in the last few years. Wondering if they are saving money on this or some new technique being used in the industry which doesn't work?

Have not bought BR in a while but J. Crew cashmere sweaters lose buttons fast. A new Boden coat button fell off the first time I wore it.

Angie, as a fashion insider, wonder if you have any thoughts on this?

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