Monday, November 30, 2009

Button up!

Being a long-time fan of wraps, belts and sashes, I have somehow for years and years managed to steer clear of anything that needs to be buttoned - one of the exceptions being a white Liquid coat with big, black velvet-coated buttons (left), that was a surprise gift from my boyfriend a few years ago, others being the occasional horrible work outfit, the choice of which I am usually not in a position to influence or question. The one below took about 15 minutes to get in and out of, mostly due to those endless rows of miniscule buttons in all possible and impossible places: really bad news for those of us who are more or less unable to get through the day without downing a minimum of five big cups of coffee (which translates to a lot of bathroom breaks, if anyone didn't get it).

However, due to my current obsession with WASPy chic (this movie triggered it), I am suddenly head-over-heels crazy not only about pearls, princess-cut diamond studs and 2.55s, but in particular the classic blazer with piping and gold nautical buttons (how I'm wearing it!), as seen at Balenciaga AW09 as well as Tory Burch and H&M back in '08 and '07, respectively (below). Those buttons! They just seem to work with everything.... jeans, MJ pencil skirts, flea market scarves, riding boots even when they're fresh from a trip to the stables. Knowing myself too well, though, I'm sure this infatuation will soon come to an end and I'll be back in my ratty belted vintage shearling coat... but until then, I intend to enjoy!













Having finally began to perceive the fashion allure of buttons, as opposed to viewing them merely as a means to closing a garment, I do believe that, just like most accessories, they can indeed make or break an outfit. While Nelly Yuki on Gossip Girl and the Lacoste AW07 catwalker below could be postergirls for how to wear toggle buttons in the most boring, predictable way ever, I kind of enjoyed the toggles in French Vogue's blackface Lara Stone editorial (even though I did not care much for the spread in itself). Furthermore, how can you not adore Benjamin Choo's (AW07) oversized black statement buttons? Maybe I'm biased, since the look reminds me of my own beloved Liquid coat....























Fashion magazines and runway footage aside, I became aware of a new, real-life take on the make-or-break dilemma during my vintage window shopping spree the other day. For starters, I fell in love with these glass buttons (right) on an otherwise way-too-busy-for-me brocade coat at Screaming Mimi's -- on an unrelated note, I also managed to go through their whole 1960s rack twice without finding anything to my liking, just to see Chloë Sevigny pull out a lovely powder-blue frock, seemingly my size, from there only minutes later... how did I miss that one? Too busy obsessing over how cute those cute glass buttons would look on a more unassuming jacket, I'm sure. Shortly thereafter, I was faced with the exact opposite problem in that corny store on 7th & A, the name of which I always forget. Ironically enough, an otherwise pretty decent chunky-knit pastel cardigan lost all its appeal when I discovered the unbelievably ridiculous lamb buttons it had been decked out with (yes, those you definitely need to see those for yourself - picture to the left!). No need to emphasize I gave up and returned home empty-handed: never had I realized before that buttons could be such a bummer. Yes, I know the lambs would have been easily fixed at home with a sewing kit... but I was just not in the mood.

To sum up, I however have to hand it to this lady on 34th & 5th the other day, who had successfully ruined her classy, pulled-together outfit -- hat, Vivier-ish heels, structured handbag and all -- by wearing a row of seemingly non-functional buttons on the back of her mustard trench! Or possibly the coat buttoned in the back - I did not get the chance to see the front. Either way, I'll be damned, but not even Chloë would have been able to pull off a look like that!

Would you ever wear a coat like this....? If you did, you would probably end up on my blog... and not in a good way. :)

34 comments:

  1. Hi there! You've been missed. I was waiting for your posts for the longest time. Well, I love buttons but I love the non-functional kind. Like you, I don't want the hassles of buttoning and unbottoning and outfit over and over again. I think buttons can be awesome accessories for a plain top or dress, just like sequins and studs. I was just looking at some cute buttons the other day to add to my denim jacket.

    Have a great week! Glad you're back!

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  2. I wouldn't wear the coat with the buttons in the back. Fashion aside, It would be just my luck (and clumsiness) to snag them on something......however, your white coat at the top! Love!

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  3. I love those navy blue blazers! xoxo

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  4. you raised many interesting points about buttons, they've never bothered me but at the same time i'm not crazy about them either. i also cant help but wonder... whatever happened to nelly yuki?

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  5. I definitely wouldn't be able to wear a coat like that one at te bottom. For a start I probably would get all confused and annoyed buttoning it up, lol.
    But in general I quite like buttons. The H&M balzer is gorgeous. I've been looking for something similar for ages.

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  6. I love the H&M blazer too.... and I am glad to be back on here, this leave was way too long! Will catch up with all of you as I have time. :)

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  7. I have been experimenting with blazers lately and I really love them. I really love the blazer from H&M, a little more detailed than the ones I have been experimenting with. Thank you for again for another great post!!!!

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  8. Hey stranger! I've been having witty post withdrawals without you around. Yeah, agreed. Buttons can really make or break an outfit. I actually love going to the craft store and picking out my own and replacing the factory buttons on some of my stuff. I did it with a red cardigan and a rusty orange trench once. I got gold ones for the trench and it looked like a completely different jacket.

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  9. I am NUTS about buttons.. sashes always seem to come undone on me, unless it's a certain fabric.

    So buttons.. :D :D :D I don't get the point of buttons on the back however. That last coat is a disaster

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  10. Love the detailing on your white coat at the bottom. Can totally see your dancer stance with the second photo.

    Regarding Wordpress, I guess with blogger you do not technically own your blogs, blogger does. Also, eventually you will run out of space to post, my friend is running into that problem. Thirdly, word is the search engines are more geared to WP as the hip and happening thing. E-mail me if you have any other questions. Have a great week! :O)

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  11. 1) I would NEVER wear a coat like the one pictured at the bottom. Honestly, it looks like it's on backwards. And how on earth would you button it? Wouldn't someone have to button you into it, kind of like a corset? Tres weird! :/

    2) I do like buttons on blazers - but I never use them. For some reason, despite the fact that I'm petite, I feel unglamorous in buttoned blazers - I like to keep them open.

    3) I love your white coat - you look stunning in it! :)

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  12. I would totally wear buttons in the back so -- yay! -- I can end up on your blog ;-)

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  13. I do love buttons! Love the pic of the woman in the mustard coat!!

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  14. I'll have you know that the manager of my local Nordstrom's wears a button down the back coat. I am not kidding. Ran into her at Starbucks this weekend, and didn't know where to look.
    And darn it, but I wish, I could sign in here with my wordpress account!

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  15. oh wow, i really love your blog!! and it's such a cute title, too.

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  16. Hmmm. I kinda like the buttons on the back. Judge me, go ahead. :) Great blog.

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  17. oh I love blazers! amazing post, as ever.
    have a lovely day, xoxo

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  18. Those blazers are so amazing! I have the total opposite, I really am obsessed with buttons, I just love them!

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  19. Great post. I absolutely love these coats!

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  20. Guess you didn't like it when Celine wore the backward tuxedo jacket? ah ha ha

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  21. mmmm Balenciaga blazer...that was an amazing collection.

    http://fashionroadkill-halifax.blogspot.com

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  22. I actually love buttons, but more for their decorational purposes. I rarely wear blouses or shirts, because I can't be bothered buttoning them up. The only exceptions are coats or blazers. I love the gold nautical buttons as well... I have a blue blazer with such buttons, and another gray coat with similar gold buttons as well (both are McQueen and were ridiculously discounted). If I do find a coat I love, but buttons I can't stand, I'll go through the effort of replacing them with buttons that would look better. I did this with a trench recently (it just had plain black buttons which bored me).

    Oh, and I actually think buttons at the back could work, but it really depends on the style of the coat and the color. I can see Comme des Garcons, Rick Owens or Ann Demeulemeester pulling this off on one of their slouchier, asymmetrical designs. I don't think it works as well on a fitted garment (especially not a mustard colored one).

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  23. I Love the last coat. The placement of the buttons is just stunning. I love the blazer that you featured. An your black and white coat is really pretty. Regarding the buttons, I choose the crystal ones.

    xoxo
    B* a la Moda

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  24. Thanks for adding me to your blogroll. I just put you on mine as well. :-)

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  25. I DOO love those clothes with buttons! even the most simple tee becomes really beautiful with some of them. oh, CUTE is the word =)

    PL ♥

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  26. I'll never be over that Balenciaga show xo

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  27. Buttons can definitely be a fun fashion statement in themselves. Function is not a necessity when it comes to fabulous buttons.
    -Tawney

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  28. Love this post Miss Couture, in part because I adore buttons and have boxes of them! They are just *so* cool! However, the coat on the bottom isn't one you would see us sporting, but we're guessing some people can carry it off.

    Hope you have a great week ahead!
    tp

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  29. I am in loveee with that balenciaga photo with the fur trimmed jacket, soo chic! lovely blog as well :)

    xoxo

    natalieoffduty.blogspot.com

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  30. If I saw it, I would assume the buttons in the back thing was a fashion statement sort of thing and it had been designed that way, but it's not for me. I, however, LOVE that coat in the first picture. That is adorableness defined!

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  31. the navy blazer to die for. I love glass buttons but always afraid I'm going to break them and then I'm out of luck. of the perils of fashion!

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  32. To be honest I love the coat at the bottom! Big buttons down the back is a very chic look and one which has been done by a lot of couture houses. I think fashion is all about being playful not saying 'buttons go on the front' etc etc, it's dull.

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  33. Hello dear
    I saw your comment at fashion nicotine

    i'll draw you but i will need a photograph of you in a nice outfit..
    mail me at Jeszzi@hotmail.com


    With love Jessi
    Jeszzi.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete

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