The London Lounge

Greetings Everyone:
Lately, I have seen a lot of ready to wear suits in department stores with working button holes on the sleeves. I enjoy working cuffs and think everyone should get the chance to experience them, but most men (if not all) need their jacket sleeves to be shortened. I have heard that a tailor can shorten the sleeve of a jacket by way of the shoulder, but it can be very hard and very expensive. Would love to hear all of your thoughts.

Best Regards,

Cufflink79

Sleeve buttonholes should not be pre-cut on RTW coats. If a RTW coat is to have functioning sleeve buttonholes, then there should be open sleeves vents, and some buttonhole thread in the breast pocket. Let the store's alterations tailor put the buttonholes in after the sleeve length has been correctly set.

High quality RTW never has pre-cut buttonholes.

Many quality retailers specifically order the coats sans buttons since often the buttons must be moved for alterations.

It is interesting that some high end womens RTW coats have working buttonholes, such as Hermes and Chanel. I doubt that women would buy Chanel without buttons on the sleeve in the store. I believe that most women would find a buttonless cuff unfinished. Also Chanel makes unique buttons for each outfit.