Argyll Buttons

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

How many buttons does an Argyle have?

Most have 13 large buttons; three on each sleeve and three on each pocket, plus one in the middle. Additionally there are two small buttons for the epaulettes and another 5 or 6 small ones for the waistcoat.

[Bugbear]

Most have 13 large buttons; three on each sleeve and three on each pocket, plus one in the middle. Additionally there are two small buttons for the epaulettes and another 5 or 6 small ones for the waistcoat.

Oh! There are buttons on the pockets. Someone was selling chrome buttons from their Argyle a few days ago, and I couldn't figure out why there were so many buttons.

Thanks.

[orangehaggis]

I've got round white metal buttons with St. Edwards' crowns on them. My ancestors were Anglo-Saxons, so it seems more fitting than diamond shaped buttons bearing Lions and Gaelic script.

Has anybody ever translated the Gaelic text into English? I would be terribly interested to know the translation...

Mark O - Ohio

[orangehaggis]

Do any of my fellow X-Markers know of a source for black buttons with metal shanks available in two sizes (large for the centre button, and a whole host of smaller ones for the rest of the jacket and the waistcoat)? The only thing I've found locally are black leather buttons but I feel these are more appropriate for a tweed jacket than a black Argyll.

Mark O - Ohio

[Phil]

Those diamond-shaped buttons have been in use at least since the early 1950's when my Montrose doublet was made and probably long before that. As to other buttons, the aristocracy used to have whole suites of accessories made, all matching, with sporan, dirk, sgian dubh, buckles and a set of individually designed buttons. While not aspiring to those ranks, I had a set of silver buttons made for my sheriffmuir, square with a celtic knotwork design and for my Montrose/Kenmore round silver ones, again with a celtic knotwork design.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Do any of my fellow X-Markers know of a source for black buttons with metal shanks available in two sizes (large for the centre button, and a whole host of smaller ones for the rest of the jacket and the waistcoat)? The only think I've found locally are black leather buttons but I feel these are more appropriate for a tweed jacket than a black Argyll.

Mark O - Ohio

Check out your local Yellow Pages; you can also have your "chromies" anodized black if you can't find anything you like in your local sewing and fabric store.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Thirty years ago, or so, the buttons on formal Highland jackets were silver plated-- now they are usually flash chromed. I believe that this change took place at the behest of the kilt hire industry (the largest consumers of formal wear on the globe) because the silver plated buttons tarnished too quickly, whereas chrome buttons are impervious to dry cleaning and always look fresh.

If you don't like your chrome buttons-- and they always look "rented jacket" to me-- you can have them silver plated for a couple of bucks each. They will tarnish down with time and give your jacket that mellow, gentlemanly look that everyone else will admire.

[McMurdo]

Just as an example of the difference here are two photos, the first is from my Montrose, the second from my Prince Charlie, I definitely like the look of the Montrose buttons more.

[orangehaggis]

I would have to agree with you, MacMurdo. The first button has a warmer "feel" to it than the stark coldness of the polished button.

Mark O - Ohio

[Bugbear]

I'm not sure what "cut steel" buttons are. What is the significance or effect of cut steal?

* I did look this up on the internet... There are cut steel buttons being sold at a number of sites. I just didn't know anything about them. *