Suit buttons are one of those small details that define the character of a bespoke garment — they are the finishing touch that completes the jacket and, when chosen well, add a quiet note of quality that discerning eyes will notice. Manhattan Tailors offers a full range of button materials, sizes, and configurations as part of every bespoke suit commission.
The traditional choice for bespoke suits. Natural horn buttons have a distinctive irregular grain and subtle colour variation — no two buttons are identical — and develop a patina with wear that synthetic buttons cannot replicate. Horn is the most common button material on quality English and Italian bespoke suits. Available in dark brown, medium brown, and black tones.
Shell buttons with a characteristic iridescent sheen. More formal than horn and often used on dress shirts, waistcoats, and formalwear. Occasionally used on the sleeve buttons of very formal bespoke suits for a distinctive finish.
A natural material derived from the tagua palm seed. Dense, smooth, and available in a range of natural tones — an increasingly popular sustainable alternative to plastic buttons with similar properties to horn.
Beyond material, button configuration — the number of buttons and their positioning — is a key style decision. Single-breasted suits typically feature one, two, or three front buttons; the button stance (vertical position) affects the jacket's proportions significantly. Sleeve buttons on a bespoke suit are functional — they actually unbutton — a mark of genuine craftsmanship absent in most ready-to-wear jackets.
Button selection is made during the initial consultation at Manhattan Tailors. Our tailors will show you samples across materials and tones, and advise on what complements your chosen cloth. Visit our showroom at 186 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui or call +852 9773 2691 to book a consultation.
