aesthetic question

[Guest]

If you look at the Photojournal, you can see the blue Irish linen suit I had made in Romania by Negrila of Bucharest. It has dark blue plastic buttons and matching dark blue half-lining.

Would cream-colored buttons clash with the blue lining? I saw them in a Dunhill ad and liked them, on a similar blue linen coat.

What says the Lounge?

[TVD]

I think dark blue lining is a good contrast to the pale blue of the suit. Going paler than the suit would render any lining unpractical, although a white or cream may be initially pleasing.

I don't think that the lining and buttons have to match. Matt natural horn buttons in a cream colour could be an option. I personally would try to find mother of pearl buttons, either in a creamy white or in a darkish blue / grey, and see how they look. The Button Queen here in London stocks some very useful four hole ones with a slight rim at the edge that are very useful for s summer suit.

Obviously, a pale button will draw attention to the button holes, and the stitching needs to be absolutely perfect to make this look succeed.

[manton]

Lighter buttons would look a lot better on that suit, in my opinion. But TVD raises a good point: it will look odd to have light buttons and dark buttonhole thread. The two should at least be in the same family.

[Guest]

I missed the discussion of thread. The thread on the suits is light blue and very nicely done. The dark buttons are affixed with dark blue thread, and obviously this will be replaced if the buttons are replaced.

[BirdofSydney]

Dr. Bresch,

I've recently run across a suit in a similar colour, albeit with white pinstripes. It had cream coloured buttons and looked superb. Indeed, I would go so far as to say, black buttons probably look *less* right that light ones. Blue would be quite appropriate.

Shoe colour is another issue that seems to arise. If we are to remove the black buttons from the ensemble, black shoes feel like they clash a little. A sort of chestnut/caramel colour might work. That said, I would tend to eschew smooth black calf with linen under almost every circumstance.

You have a fine garment, and should be well pleased with it, no matter what colour the buttons!

Regards,

Eden

[Guest]

Dr. Bresch,

main problem to me is that they are plastic; secondly: it's summer, then go mother of pearl or light horn buttons.

Giona.