Need advice regarding buttons!

The jacket pictured below is a dark navy 100% wool blazer style from Marks and Spencers St. Michael’s line. The line was discontinued around 1990 - so the jacket is vintage. Probably late ‘80’s. I think the fit is very good - except for the arm length (see pic #3) However, I almost always scrunch or roll my sleeves (see pic #4) so it’s not a deal breaker. Anyway, I paid $10 for it though it’s in great condition - probably because it was missing two buttons!

It appears that the original (gold) buttons were exchanged for low contrast greyish-blue ones, and that prior to donation, two of these had been lost. I know what the gold buttons looked like, because one was still sewn onto a label inside the jacket. I’ve replaced all 6 of the front buttons (also thrifted) with place holders so I can get the jacket into rotation (first 4 pics) Pic #8 shows what the jacket would have looked like originally. Pic #9 shows (R to L) what the original buttons looked like, the thrifted replacement buttons, and the replacement buttons of which 2 were missing.

I want to replace all the buttons so that they match. This includes 6 small buttons for the back of the sleeves, and 6 large ones for the front.

1. Should I try to match the original gold shank buttons and ‘restore’ the jacket to its original look?
2. Should I go with buttons similar to the first set of replacement buttons that provide a lower contrast look?
3. Should I use a silver shank button similar to the original gold ones? (Silver is my preferred hardware colour.)

Any of the above - or something completely different?

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3 months ago

Star

Veteran

What a fab jacket. Such a great thrift find. I would definitely not go gold if silver is your preferred hardware. Then it depends on your preference for contrast whether you go silver or blue. Blue will be a quieter look for sure. Maybe more wear from it as in you can dress it down more.

Eva

Active Member

I like the blazer best with the gold buttons, but since you prefer silver hardware, I vote for option 3, silver buttons.

I think contrasting buttons make the blazer look more special, for lack of a better word.

Edit: I like Anchie's idea below as well!

anchie

I know this is not what you asked, but throwing it out as suggestion anyway.
I have very similar navy wool blazer that has white buttons and I really like the combination. It gives nice, fresh contrast and does not limit hardware choice.

Custom Find

by anchie

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I like Anchie's idea! Very fresh. Sporty, nautical, leaning to the more casual, like your lifestyle. Oh and want to add regarding the sleeves, totally agree that scrunching resolves that or you could fold them exposing the lining.

RobinF

Nice jacket! I like the idea of silver but not super shiny, like maybe a gunmetal-ish.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

For your style, Carla, I'd do fresh silver buttons!

Carol

The gold is nice, but at this point, we've seen a lot of that with the boxy blazer look the past few years. The low-contrast is nice, but makes it look like a regular pea-coat. I favor silver, mother-of-pearl, or some other fresh idea to make it unique.

Roberta

I did something similar with a Boden jacket years ago, replacing the "who cares" buttons with an almost tarnished looking silver. Since the buttonholes had an occasional accent color, I sewed the buttons on with red thread. That might be a fun option for you.

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Jules

oooh I like that look Roberta!
I agree that silver is a good choice here, Runcarla.

Irina

I would pick none metal buttons - in case if in the future you get a bag with hardware that doesn't match. I'd look for something like tortoise buttons that would work with some of you sweaters, tops and most importantly, your hair

kkards

Great blazer! I don’t think you can go wrong with any of the button options. But I prefer the darker small color buttons. For me it just gives more options. But the silver or gold buttons do make it more “special” /dressy.

slim cat

Nice blazer! What about gunmetal buttons? It's less bright than gold or silver but still more dressy than non metal ones.

phoebe

Silver

DonnaF

Gorgeous blazer! What a fabulous find. I would do silver, antique silver, or gunmetal. Tortoise might also be intriguing. Depends on what you find in the correct size, number and quality.

Jenni NZ

I would be looking at the button shop for any set of buttons that caught my eye and would suit the largest number of my other usual outfit components. I wouldn’t be limited by anything!
It’s an awesome find, just make it your own look in whatever way makes you happiest

MsMaven

To my blazer-loving eyes, the jacket cries out for gold. I think the silver would also bring a good contrast for you. I also like anchie's idea--you could use any contrasting color that would work with whatever you will wear with it. Great find. I want to see how it turns out!

marija

I miss Marks and Spencer. What a great store. I still remember going to it when I was young. They had such beautiful things.

I would say silver, or blue. I think blue would be more versatile, but sometimes versatility isn't what you want!

Echo

I agree that this jacket is begging for metallic, contrasting buttons, be that silver or gold. The low-contrast buttons don't do it justice. I'd definitely do shiny silver!

Zaeobi

I think you should switch all the buttons to ones that will actually 'make' you wear the jacket

Silver or navy would be 'safe' choices. But red or white buttons would also work for your style!

Firecracker (Sharan)

I like the idea of silver shank, embossed with an emblem. Classic blazer buttons.

Jaime

Silver, white or tortoise all sound good.

lyn67

Wow, I wanted to say silver from my own guts, but loved to learn about all the others' fab ideas and reasons -which I will store for my own future knowledge!:-)

Bonnie

The jacket fits perfectly and what a great find. I'd go with the silver like the ones shown above.

The Cat

Hmm, I am not sure. Silver buttons would probably be great, as silver is your favourite metal. However, gold buttons would somehow mirror your beautiful hair. Solid navy buttons are neutral and make your blazer very versatile, but perhaps look a little boring.

Of course, there are other possibilities, too--like wine, white/cream, navy & white, navy & yellow, navy & silver/gold, light blue & navy ... It depends on which colours you would like to wear your navy blazer with.

Sal

They could all work - and of course you could change in a year or two if you feel like it.

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