Quote Originally Posted by Jock Scot View Post
Very smart indeed Tobus. Those type of spats are supposed to be a very tight fit and if you have struggled to do up the buttons and still can, then that is how they should be. Now to make your life so much easier you need a button hook. Put the hook through the button hole, hitch the hook to the cotton behind the button and pull the button through the button hole. It does take away all that wrestling with those pesky buttons. Trust me, it does!

What is a button hook? Google it and go to images there are plenty to see. Your best option for your needs is one about 6 inches long. A nice Victorian/Edwardian one is a fine addition to ones dressing table, even if it is not often used these days. Although there is a modern use------my wife uses mine to pull up the zipper at the back of her dress if I am not about to assist!
By the way, Jock, I meant to get back to this earlier but forgot. I took your excellent advice and bought a button hook. This one is probably from the early 20th century and rather plain. But it sure does the trick on getting those spats buttoned up! It took me just a few seconds to do what it was taking several minutes (and a lot of swearing and grunting) to do before.