Ask the Style Doc . am I the last "Shiny Buttons on a Blazer" guy?

[Doc4]

Hey, our inaugural thread!! I got my first "Style Doc" PM, which asked ...

Real soon I may have the opportunity to go shopping for a new blazer. My current just does not fit correctly. I am 73 and old enough to know what a blazer is. However, with the current OTR selections I will probably have to do without patch pockets. My real question is that of buttons. I rather like shinny brass buttons (Navy officer and all that). But most of my research on Ask Andy and Style Forum shows people preferring dull metal buttons or bone buttons. Am I alone in this world?

Yes.



Yes you are.



But then again, we are ALL alone in this world.

Haha. Okay, seriously.

Blazer.

Here's one.

Okay, my first thought ... if you have one you like, but it no longer fits ... can you get it tailored to fit again? If it doesn't fit because you put on twenty pounds of beer gut, you may be out of luck, but if it is just too big (we all shrink a bit in old age) a decent tailor may solve your problem.

Beyond that ... I don't know that patch pockets are essential, but you are of course welcome to your preference. (I have heard some say that patch pockets were the "done thing" for blazers in the past. Nowadays, I'd say it's just the navy blue and the brass buttons that really "makes" a blazer for most people.

Generally, patch pockets are more 'casual' than non-patch versions, existing at the bottom of the formality ladder. That may be something you want to seek out, or avoid, depending on how you want to use the blazer.



As for the brass buttons ... my own personal preference is to avoid them, as being a bit too "yacht club".
Totally.
Personal.
Preference.
I'd feel a bit uncomfortable wearing the brass buttons, but perhaps you'd feel uncomfortable not wearing them. Either option can work, and the key (IMHO) is to go with the option that will give you the most confidence & natural feeling. So if you like the brass buttons, go for it!




... and if you decide to go "made to measure" or bespoke, it may cost a bit more, but ... at age 73 and with a distinguished naval career behind you ... heck, you earned it.

 

[mark the shoeshine boy]

or....he could purchase the blazer and then find some satisfactory buttons and have them sewn on.

 

[professorchaos]

I don't care for brass buttons either. Yet they are the identifying attribute of a "navy blazer."

 

[strop]

You are not alone. My Navy blazer proudly displays brass buttons. It's all in how/when you wear it.

 

[Prince]

My navy blazer has brass buttons. I like them but wish they were a bit less shiny. Is there a way to dull them up without removing them?

If I have to take them off, I'll just buy new ones.

 

[Tim_McD]

I like brass on blazers, but usually there is an option for pewter or bronze. I have been eyeing the Anderson Little navy blazer, at $179 it seems like a reasonable / low risk try.

http://andersonlittle.com/

 

[rushchairman]

Brass buttons on a blue blazer are definitely enjoying a "now" moment - as are so many classic or otherwise "trad" looks. Just make sure your blazer sports a modern, tailored cut, and you'll be good to go.

 

[Haggises]

Rock the shiny buttons.
Otherwise you're wearing a slightly strangely cut sports jacket.

 

[jzuzphreek]

I guess that brings up another question. What's the difference between a blazer and a sports jacket?

 

[john parker]

I guess that brings up another question. What's the difference between a blazer and a sports jacket?

Shiny brass buttons!

 

[jzuzphreek]

Shiny brass buttons!

Apparently.

 

[john parker]

I guess that brings up another question. What's the difference between a blazer and a sports jacket?

More seriously, blazers traditionally have patch pockets and brass buttons; sort of a yacht club offshoot. Now days it seems that any "sports jacket" in dark blue or black with metal or bone buttons are called "blazers". And now days one usually does not see patch pockets.

 

[Doc4]

More seriously, blazers traditionally have patch pockets and brass buttons; sort of a yacht club offshoot. Now days it seems that any "sports jacket" in dark blue or black with metal or bone buttons are called "blazers". And now days one usually does not see patch pockets.

Nowadays it seems that any navy-blue (or close) sports jacket is called a blazer by most people. Including people who run menswear stores.

 

[john parker]

http://www.princemichael.org.uk/assets/uploaded/images/pm-samarkand.jpeg A blazer! Albeit a double-breasted blazer; still very nice!

 

[KW Driver]

Mine has brass buttons. And four on the sleeves.

 

[Doc4]

or....he could purchase the blazer and then find some satisfactory buttons and have them sewn on.

Quite true.

Of course, I think he's looking more for direction on whether or not he should follow his personal desire to get the brass buttons, (or follow the current trend & go for plain buttons.)

 

[Boro62]

I'm not a huge fan of the brass buttons, but I have seen lots of guys pull it off really well too. I had to wear the whole brass button/patch blazer all through high school, that seemed to have turned it off for me as I grew up.

 

[Kazeryu]

Sometimes it's nice to stand out from the crowd a bit. If you associate with people who wear sportcoats with dull buttons, why not wear shiny brass ones if you like them?