Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Brass buttons are not out of style. They have been part of the classic wardrobe for generations, on blazers, peacoats, naval coats and cardigans, and they keep coming back into collections. What looks dated is not brass itself but the way it is used: too shiny, too many buttons, or on a garment that does not need metal. With the right finish, size and pairing, brass buttons look contemporary.
Are brass buttons out of style today?
Warm-toned metal buttons hold a lasting place in fashion for several reasons:
- heritage: they are linked with uniforms, yacht clubs and club blazers, in other words with tradition and quality;
- versatility: they work with navy, camel, beige, green and burgundy;
- a detail people notice: on clean designs the button is often the only ornament;
- durability: a well-made metal button looks good for years and can be moved to a new garment.
Fashion swings between brighter and more muted gold and between plain and relief designs, but brass as a tone does not disappear. We looked at wider button trends in button fashion trends.
When brass buttons look dated
- overly shiny, yellow gold on a casual garment: it looks like fancy dress;
- large, heavy buttons on thin cloth that drags and puckers around them;
- a cheap finish worn at the edges, with another metal showing through;
- mixed metals: brass buttons, a silver zip and a black buckle on one garment;
- too much decoration: crest, rim, enamel and stones on one button, everywhere.
How to wear brass buttons in a modern way
| Garment | Modern approach | What to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Navy blazer | Plain buttons in satin or antique gold | Mirror gold with a large crest for everyday wear |
| Peacoat and naval coat | Solid buttons, anchor or plain, in matte brass | Thin hollow buttons that dent |
| Camel coat | Antique brass, tone on tone with the cloth | Cool silver or harsh contrast |
| Cardigan | Small domed buttons with a smooth edge | Relief designs that snag the stitches |
| Women's jacket and dress | One or two larger buttons as an accent | A row of small shiny buttons |
| Denim | Antique brass or copper on the button and rivets | Bright gold that does not match the rivets |
Choose a muted finish
Satin, brushed and antique finishes look more current than mirror gloss. They bring out the relief, reflect less light and make the garment look more expensive. Surfaces are compared in matte, satin, brushed or gloss.
Keep the proportions right
The button size should suit the lapel, the pocket and the weight of the cloth. A button that is too big for the garment instantly makes it look theatrical.
Match the metals
The zip, buckle, cord ends and metal logo plate should be in the same warm tone. Then brass reads as a considered choice rather than an accident. More on this in light gold, champagne and matte gold.
Brass buttons in womenswear and menswear
In menswear, brass buttons stay almost entirely in the territory of the blazer, the peacoat and uniform-inspired style. In womenswear their use is freer: jackets with one large button, blazer dresses, cardigans, denim jackets and skirts with a metal accent. In both, the rule is the same: the metal must play a role in the design, not be added out of habit.
Swapping the buttons as an easy update
If you own a blazer or coat with brass buttons that feel dated, it is often enough to replace them with a more muted shade or a cleaner design. The swap takes half an hour and changes the garment more than any other detail. How to choose a set and sew on the new buttons is covered in gold buttons for a navy blazer.
Brass buttons through the seasons
In autumn and winter, brass is the natural choice for coats, peacoats, cardigans and wool jackets; the warm metal tone looks good on camel, navy, bottle green and burgundy. In spring and summer, brass buttons move to lighter garments: linen blazers, white nautical trousers, overshirts and dresses. That is when smaller, flatter models in light or satin gold work better.
How to choose brass buttons that will not date
- a smooth or very fine surface instead of overly decorative relief;
- a satin, brushed or antique finish instead of mirror gloss;
- a solid body with weight that does not bend or sound hollow;
- a size that suits the lapel and pockets, not one that is bigger "for effect";
- the same tone on all the metal accessories of the garment.
Buttons like these still look right after several seasons and can be moved to a new garment when the old one wears out. If you are developing a collection, ask for samples in two or three shades and compare them on the real cloth in daylight: the difference between bright gold, satin and antique brass shows best that way, not on a screen.
Brass buttons and garments made to last
One reason brass buttons never go out of style is that they outlive the garment. A well-made metal button does not break, keeps its colour with proper care and can be moved to a new coat or blazer. Many people keep the buttons from a favourite old garment for exactly that reason. For brands, this is an argument for better buttons: they signal that the garment is made to be worn for years, not for one season. If you are also looking for recycled versions of other accessories, Polkom holds a GRS certificate, and recycled versions are available on request.
For brands: the brass detail in a collection
The metal button is one of the most visible places for a brand. A relief logo, monogram or lettering around the rim turns a classic brass detail into a recognisable signature that stays modern from season to season. Polkom is a manufacturer of metal buttons and engraved buttons with over 30 years of experience, in shades of gold, brass and antique, with your logo to your design. All our metal accessories are nickel free. We send samples before production, so contact us for a quote.
