We had snow a few days ago here on the wrong side of the tracks and everybody is getting a little cabin-feverish. I hope nobody thinks this topic is too small.

I'd like to discuss buttons.

Most of my jackets have come to me from other owners (instead of new or from the tailor) and they generally have the familiar white metal square buttons. I have a vintage child's jacket with diamond shaped ones and I have bought some in that shape, but don't yet have them on a jacket. Are they more typical of dancers' jackets?

I have seen pretty tweed daycoats with silver buttons, which seems odd to me. I have a daycoat with stag buttons and one that has leather knots. Does anyone have an opinion on the general appropriateness of silver buttons for daywear?

I know that Thompson talks about being able to swap out your buttons with those little cotter pins. He recommends black buttons for daywear. I expect the dominance of the black-Argyll-with-silver-buttons is way too complete to expect people to go back now. Thompson says it is very formal with a waistcoat, like morning dress. I think most people compare it to a navy blazer*,which usually has metal buttons,too.

And what about gold/golden/brass/yellow buttons? Any idea why they are less favored? Any examples of gold buttons in highland dress?

What say ye?


M'Ll

* I have come to prefer the navy Argyll as the all purpose jacket. It looks black at night, but not being black, it looks better in the daytime, regardless of buttons. But then, I seldom wear black in the daytime otherwise.