The London Lounge

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

..any reply would be good!

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

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

M Alden

Anonymous wrote:[...]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