Buttons on a Doublet

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Hi Ted,
In today's world the norm is to have "white" buttons on one's PC-- white meaning "silver coloured"; real silver buttons are the exception these days, and I seriously doubt that even one-in-one thousand gentlemen actually sport sterling buttons on their PC or doublet.

If you don't like the "shiny chrome" look you have a wide range of options, starting with the black plastic buttons (like those found on suits), fabric covered buttons, glass, jett or pewer buttons. Shapes can be square, round, oval... whatever strikes your fancy. It is all a matter of style-- or some might say eccentricity!

As long as you like your buttons-- they are "socially" correct.

[Bugbear]

Hi Ted,
In today's world the norm is to have "white" buttons on one's PC-- white meaning "silver coloured"; real silver buttons are the exception these days, and I seriously doubt that even one-in-one thousand gentlemen actually sport sterling buttons on their PC or doublet.

If you don't like the "shiny chrome" look you have a wide range of options, starting with the black plastic buttons (like those found on suits), fabric covered buttons, glass, jett or pewer buttons. Shapes can be square, round, oval... whatever strikes your fancy. It is all a matter of style-- or some might say eccentricity!

As long as you like your buttons-- they are "socially" correct.

I understand.

It does seem that there are many examples of "eccentricity" in the styles of Highland jackets, as well. Not too long ago, there was a discussion on collarless Highland jackets with pleated backs, for example.

I think I end up in these jacket discussions partly because I am interested in the non-cookiecutter tailoring styles, and how the "off the peg" jackets can be modified to... uncut some of the corners, so to speak. That probably skews my prospective a bit.

* JSFMACLJR, I apologise for getting the thread off track. I am going to start a thread on non-cookie-cutter Highland jackets to continue the discussion; I think there might be a tradition there.. *

[thescot]

Hi Ted,
In today's world the norm is to have "white" buttons on one's PC-- white meaning "silver coloured"; real silver buttons are the exception these days, and I seriously doubt that even one-in-one thousand gentlemen actually sport sterling buttons on their PC or doublet.

If you don't like the "shiny chrome" look you have a wide range of options, starting with the black plastic buttons (like those found on suits), fabric covered buttons, glass, jett or pewer buttons. Shapes can be square, round, oval... whatever strikes your fancy. It is all a matter of style-- or some might say eccentricity!

As long as you like your buttons-- they are "socially" correct.

Mac and Ted,

I have a PC which was made from standard tails I purchased of the internet from a formal supply company. I had a tailor cut them down in to a Pince Charlie coatee, and they look fine.

Thing is, when I first had them cut down, I didn't have time to purchase and install silver buttons, so I wore the black silk buttons that came on the jacket. They actually look fine, and no one seemed to notice.

I now wear a purchased PC most of the time, but I still have the one with the black buttons--on both sides of the front of the jacket--and I am thinking of what I should do with it. I can wear it or sell it, but I can't decide which. I only wore it once, and having read all of this, I think I just may keep it and wear it.

[Bassbarijpm]

Alot of fashion trends come from military uniforms. We need to remember what the uniforms of the 1700 and 1800's looked like for some of the reason for the formal fashion oddities.

At one time open lapels were designed to be button opened (French and British Napoleonic unifoms). The inside of the lapel were normally a diffrent color then the color of the cost. When open this bright /contrasing color was seen. This is part of the reason for a double breated jackets and the dual row of buttons on tails coats and why tuxes have satin lapels.

At one time the fronts of long uniform coats were designed to be buttoned toward the back and remain open and out of the way so a soldier could run and walk in them. Now we have only the buttons

At one time there were funtioning pockets in the tails of coat. Now we have false flaps and buttons

Alot of the fashon we see in formal wear is the left overs from a time when there was a reason.

Have fun an dress well.

A Kilt Wearing Irish American Mutt ith:

[Monkey@Arms]

Thanks all for the answers to my button question. When I had looked at the tail of a PC, as exemplified in MoR's illustration (copied below) I had thought it looked like it had vestigial flap pockets. Just goes to show that fashion is a funny thing.



Best regards,

Jake