Silver versus cloth buttons

[creagdhubh]

Dear Sandy and Rex,

I'd like to say at the outset, "thank you" for posting such fine responses to my initial inquiry to having bespoke buttons made for my future evening doublet, which I know now, will not be made of coloured velvet, but tartan, cut on the bias, instead. My actual crest as a Macpherson Armiger, depicts a rampant Scottish Wildcat, which on its own, I think would look absolutely lovely as silver buttons for my doublet.

Of course, having the buttons made, and I do have in mind a highly reputable silversmith located in Edinburgh (still need to have my bonnet badge struck), would be a costly undertaking, but I am quite confident that the result would be simply stunning! My rampant Wildcat would look extremely smart on a tartan doublet...wow, I just realised that my doublet will be quite the undertaking indeed! Wish me luck and I definitely shall keep everyone abreast of the progress! Thanks again gents.

Touch not the cat,

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Dear Sandy and Rex,

I'd like to say at the outset, "thank you" for posting such fine responses to my initial inquiry to having bespoke buttons made for my future evening doublet, which I know now, will not be made of coloured velvet, but tartan, cut on the bias, instead. My actual crest as a Macpherson Armiger, depicts a rampant Scottish Wildcat, which on its own, I think would look absolutely lovely as silver buttons for my doublet.

Of course, having the buttons made, and I do have in mind a highly reputable silversmith located in Edinburgh (still need to have my bonnet badge struck), would be a costly undertaking, but I am quite confident that the result would be simply stunning! My rampant Wildcat would look extremely smart on a tartan doublet...wow, I just realised that my doublet will be quite the undertaking indeed! Wish me luck and I definitely shall keep everyone abreast of the progress! Thanks again gents.

Touch not the cat,

Kyle,

Allow me to recommend Agry in Paris. They are the best in the world, bar none.

Scott

[MacBean]

Dear Sandy and Rex,

I'd like to say at the outset, "thank you" for posting such fine responses to my initial inquiry to having bespoke buttons made for my future evening doublet, which I know now, will not be made of coloured velvet, but tartan, cut on the bias, instead. My actual crest as a Macpherson Armiger, depicts a rampant Scottish Wildcat, which on its own, I think would look absolutely lovely as silver buttons for my doublet.

Of course, having the buttons made, and I do have in mind a highly reputable silversmith located in Edinburgh (still need to have my bonnet badge struck), would be a costly undertaking, but I am quite confident that the result would be simply stunning! My rampant Wildcat would look extremely smart on a tartan doublet...wow, I just realised that my doublet will be quite the undertaking indeed! Wish me luck and I definitely shall keep everyone abreast of the progress! Thanks again gents.

Touch not the cat,

Somewhere I have the business card of a silversmith Stateside who has made wildcat badges for clans in silver many times. I spoke to him about Chattan, and he was interested. It would be nice to do this through the Clan Chattan Association as part of their continued Resigning of the Bands of Union. You would not be the only one interested I am sure. PM me if interested.

[Cygnus]

On a related note...

I have a white Marcella waistcoat and it has cloth-covered buttons. If I were to repurpose this waistcoat for use with highland attire, would it be appropriate to replace the buttons so they match my jacket?

[JSFMACLJR]

On a related note...

I have a white Marcella waistcoat and it has cloth-covered buttons. If I were to repurpose this waistcoat for use with highland attire, would it be appropriate to replace the buttons so they match my jacket?

It sure would! You could also keep the cloth covered buttons, if you like. I have mother-of-pearl waistcoat buttons that I have been known to use with my white waistcoat I wear with the kilt.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

On a related note...

I have a white Marcella waistcoat and it has cloth-covered buttons. If I were to repurpose this waistcoat for use with highland attire, would it be appropriate to replace the buttons so they match my jacket?

You could but, as Sandy has pointed out, it's hardly necessary. The buttons on my white waistcoat are gold, and about 125 years old. A gentleman has better things to concern himself with than the buttons on his waistcoat.

[Cygnus]

It sure would! You could also keep the cloth covered buttons, if you like. I have mother-of-pearl waistcoat buttons that I have been known to use with my white waistcoat I wear with the kilt.

You could but, as Sandy has pointed out, it's hardly necessary. The buttons on my white waistcoat are gold, and about 125 years old. A gentleman has better things to concern himself with than the buttons on his waistcoat.

In that case, I'll probably keep it as is so it can continue to serve a dual purpose.

Thank you very much for your quick and well-informed responses!

[ForresterModern]

Would it be appropriate to replace the round harp themed metal buttons of a dress Brian Boru jacket (called a Holyrood by St Kilda) with the square metal buttons more typically seen on a scottish Argyll or PC, or would that be mixing the two heritages in an incongrous way? To the best of my knowledge (still looking) I do not have any Irish blood relations to warrant the irish connection of the BB jacket but like its cut as an option to the standard PC and dressier than the Argyll, but would rather maintain the square button scottish themed appearence.

jeff

[davidlpope]

Would it be appropriate to replace the round harp themed metal buttons of a dress Brian Boru jacket (called a Holyrood by St Kilda) with the square metal buttons more typically seen on a scottish Argyll or PC, or would that be mixing the two heritages in an incongrous way?

Without trying to be controversial here, the "Brian Boru/ Holyrood" is simply a Scottish Prince Charlie Coatee that has been modified in minor ways as a marketing strategy for those who want to wear "Irish" kilts. Since this jacket doesn't have any historical pedigree to begin with (indeed, the whole phenomenon of Irish kilt-wearing, itself, seems to me to be a "manufactured" tradition of the twentieth-century Irish Nationalist movement), there's really no "heritage"-mixing to worry about. Wear whatever buttons tickle your fancy.

To the best of my knowledge (still looking) I do not have any Irish blood relations to warrant the irish connection of the BB jacket but like its cut as an option to the standard PC and dressier than the Argyll, but would rather maintain the square button scottish themed appearence.

I don't see this as an issue. Even native Irishmen don't really have a "connection" to the "BB" jacket. If you like the regular diamond buttons, replace them. It's really just a modified Scottish jacket in the first place!

David

[longhuntr74]

Interesting thoughts on cloth buttons...I knew that the square thistle buttons seemed to be predominant in highland formal wear, but I guess I somewhat assumed this to be a by-product of the "kilt for hire" industry. I am definitely looking to shy away from the plain old square thistle buttons when I make my doublet/coatee. I was considering cloth based on one photo I've seen...but from what I read here, that really may not be appropriate for formal wear. I'm guessing my reference might be one of those cases of "daywear" that you allude to.