Vintage Mother of Pearl

[Guest]

Hello.

I have been having my shirts done for the last ten years. Recently I have stumbled upon vintage mother of pearl buttons. They are thinner but I think they look nicer on a higher quality shirt, rather than the thick Australian 4-hole ones. Do any tailors use those vintage MOP buttons? I am thinking of asking my tailor to use those buttons instead... Should I not? Is there a problem with those buttons? Do they break easily since they are thinner?

Looking forward to your replies!
Thanks

[Guest]

..any reply would be good!

[Guest]

I've limited experience with old MOP (an inherited shirt, some stud buttons, etc.). From that, the aged MOP seems to be "purer" -- white all the way through -- than modern MOP often is (without great cost, that is). The buttons also are a bit thinner and, worse, quite brittle: perhaps MOP, having been made by a living creature, dries out over time. Therefore, I enjoy looking at the old MOP but probably wouldn't use it on shirts I have made for me.

RWS

[Guest]

I would not have any hesitation to use old MOP buttons. The thinner ones can be very attractive and easier to wear.

M Alden

[Guest]

[...]rather than the thick Australian 4-hole ones.

Thickness is debatable (thicker buttons might not look bad on a sporty oxford shirt), but they should have four holes. Two-hole MOP buttons are, to the best of my knowledge, destined to ladies' blouses.

C