How to Choose the Perfect Buttons for Your Clothes | A Complete Guide to Material, Size, and Style
A single, well-chosen button can elevate a garment from ordinary to extraordinary. They are the unsung heroes of fashion, the tiny details that pull an entire look together. Whether you're a DIY enthusiast, a fashion designer, or simply looking to replace a lost button, knowing how to choose buttons is a valuable skill. This guide will walk you through the key considerations of material, size, and style to ensure your next project is flawless.
1. Material Matters: More Than Just Looks
The material of a button dictates not only its appearance but also its weight, durability, and care requirements.
Plastic & Polyester: The most common types, offering incredible variety in color, shape, and finish. They are lightweight, affordable, and perfect for everyday garments like shirts and children's wear.
Metal Buttons: These add a touch of weight, luxury, and durability. Think of the classic jeans button—almost always a sturdy metal button made from brass or nickel, designed to withstand constant strain and washing. Blazer buttons are also often metal, providing that sharp, professional finish.
Horn, Wood, & Shell: Natural materials bring unique, organic texture. Each button is slightly different, making your garment one-of-a-kind. They are perfect for adding a rustic or high-end artisanal feel to coats and cardigans.
Fabric-Covered: For a seamless, elegant look, fabric-covered buttons are ideal. They allow you to incorporate the exact garment material, creating a perfectly matched and sophisticated appearance, often seen on formal wear.
2. Getting the Size Right
Button size is measured in millimeters across the diameter (or "ligne"). Using the wrong size can throw off a garment's balance.
Small (10-13mm): Perfect for delicate dress button placements on cuffs and blouses.
Medium (15-18mm): The most versatile size, excellent for standard shirt fronts and many types of dresses.
Large (22mm+): Best for statement pieces like coats, capes, and duffle bags. A large toggle or shank button works beautifully here.
A quick tip: If replacing a single button, always match the size of the existing ones. For a new project, lay buttons on the fabric to visually gauge the best proportion.
3. Style and Function: Flat vs. Shank
This is the crucial functional difference.
Flat Buttons (2 or 4 holes): These are sewn directly onto the fabric. They lie flat and are best for lightweight to medium-weight materials where the button won't be under significant stress. Most standard shirt buttons are flat.
Shank Buttons: These have a small loop (shank) on the back. This design allows the button to sit proud of the fabric, creating space for thicker material to sit underneath without puckering. This makes a shank button the superior choice for heavy coats, blazers, and bags. The blazer button is the quintessential example of a shank style.
Matching Button to Garment:
For a Dress Button: Consider the dress's style. A delicate silk dress calls for a small, pearl or fabric-covered button. A structured denim dress can handle a contrasting metal button.
For a Jeans Button: Durability is key. A rust-proof, heavy-duty metal button with a secure rivet-style prong is non-negotiable.
For a Blazer Button: This is where you make a statement. A classic blazer button is often a metal button in gold, silver, or gunmetal finish, frequently featuring a crest or logo. A horn button offers a more refined, traditional look.
A Final Word on Quality and Consistency
The journey of finding the perfect button highlights the importance of quality and reliability. This is where expertise truly shines. For over 24 years, WYSE Garment Accessory has been a trusted leader in the industry, providing exceptional OEM and ODM services. Our deep understanding of materials, trends, and construction ensures that every button—from a robust jeans button to an elegant blazer button—meets the highest standards of durability and design. When you choose components for your collection, partner with a name built on a foundation of quality and experience. Choose WYSE.