Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Fish buttons and nautical-motif buttons are metal shank buttons whose face is shaped like a fish, a shell or a sea snail. We offer four designs – MB-01 Fish, MB-16 Shell, MB-25 Sea Snail and MB-29 Half-round Ribbed Shell – in sizes from 15 to 37 mm and in nickel colour, gold, gunmetal and black gloss. They are a natural choice for summer collections, children's clothing, knitwear and bags.
Why nautical-motif buttons never go out of fashion
The nautical style returns every season in a new form – from the classic sailor jacket to linen dresses and beach bags. Fish and shell buttons give this accent more subtly than stripes or anchors: the shape is recognisable but stays elegant. The metal adds a finished touch, and the relief catches the light like a real shell.
Beyond summer fashion, the shell is also a popular motif in autumn-winter collections – gold or gunmetal on a navy coat looks expensive and understated.
The nautical-motif designs
MB-01 Fish 25 mm
MB-01 Fish is the most playful design in the series. It suits children's cardigans and jackets, women's knitwear, linen shirts and bags. As the fish has a clear direction – head and tail – before sewing you need to decide whether all the fish "swim" in the same direction, or, for example, mirror each other on both sides of a double-breasted coat.
MB-16 Shell 15, 25 and 30 mm
MB-16 Shell is the classic fan-shaped scallop. The three sizes cover an entire garment: 15 mm for dresses, blouses and sleeves, 25 mm for the front of a jacket or cardigan, 30 mm for a coat. The shell is symmetrical, which makes sewing easier and also suits more classic styles.
MB-25 Sea Snail 25 and 37 mm
MB-25 Sea Snail is a voluminous design with a spiral shell. At 25 mm it looks good on jackets, while 37 mm is a statement button for a coat or bag. The snail has its own spiral direction, so check the orientation before sewing here too.
MB-29 Half-round Ribbed Shell 15, 20 and 25 mm
MB-29 Half-round Ribbed Shell is a more stylised version of the shell – a half circle with clear ribs. It looks more graphic and minimalist, so it combines easily with shirts, dresses and women's cardigans. The 15 mm size suits shirts and dresses, and 20–25 mm jackets and cardigans.
How to choose the size
The size depends on the position and the thickness of the fabric. For shirts, dresses and sleeves, 15 mm is suitable (Shell and Half-round Shell). For the front of a jacket or cardigan – 20–25 mm. For coats and bags – 30–37 mm. If you are torn between two sizes, place the button on the fabric: with voluminous motifs such as the snail, the smaller size often looks substantial enough, while with flat ones such as the shell you can choose the larger.
Table of designs, sizes and colours
| Code | Design | Sizes | Colours | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MB-01 | Fish | 25 mm | nickel colour, gold, gunmetal, black gloss | children's clothing, knitwear, bags and decorative accents |
| MB-16 | Shell | 15, 25, 30 mm | nickel colour, gold, gunmetal, black gloss | women's jackets, dresses, knitwear and children's clothing (15 mm – dresses and blouses, 25–30 mm – jackets and coats) |
| MB-25 | Sea Snail | 25, 37 mm | nickel colour, gold, gunmetal, black gloss | women's jackets, coats and bags (25 mm – jackets, 37 mm – coats) |
| MB-29 | Half-round Ribbed Shell | 15, 20, 25 mm | nickel colour, gold, gunmetal, black gloss | shirts and dresses (15 mm), women's jackets and cardigans (20–25 mm) |
How to pair fish and shell buttons with fabric
- Linen and cotton in white, ecru and blue – nickel colour or gold; a classic nautical look.
- Navy wool and tweed – gold for a sailor style, gunmetal for a more contemporary look.
- Knitwear in pastel tones – nickel colour; the fish and shell look fresh and light.
- Children's clothing – the fish in nickel colour or gold; choose 25 mm so it is easy for small hands.
- Raffia, canvas or leather bags – the 37 mm sea snail or the fish as a decorative button on the flap.
Nautical motifs beyond clothing
Fish and shell buttons are not just for garments. They are used as decorative elements on bags, cushion covers, knitted scarves and nautical-style home accessories. In such cases the button often does not function as a fastener but is sewn on like an appliqué – the size can then be larger and the direction of the motif chosen freely. With home textiles, bear in mind that a metal button should not be placed where people lie or sit.
Practical sewing tips
- With figurative motifs (fish, snail), mark the direction with chalk and check the whole row before sewing.
- Align the shank loop parallel to the buttonhole; if the motif needs to be turned differently, use a cord loop.
- Make the buttonhole 2–3 mm longer than the diameter; with the voluminous snail, also add the button's height.
- On children's clothing, sew especially securely – with double thread and 8 stitches – and check the attachment regularly, because small children may pull at the buttons.
Ordering and quantities
You can order the four designs in our online button shop. The minimum quantity is 500 pcs per design, size and colour. The other shapes in the series can be found on the metal buttons page, and for children's styles in other materials see all buttons.
Polkom – accessories for fashion, furniture, footwear and bags
For over 30 years Polkom has been manufacturing and supplying accessories for the fashion industry and beyond. If you are preparing a nautical collection and want to see the designs or discuss a larger quantity, contact us.
