The Navy Blazer with Gold/Brass Buttons vs. The Navy Blazer with Tonal Buttons
Your Dad probably had a navy blazer with gold or brass buttons. Your Grandpa probably had one too. Saying that the Navy Blazer is a classic, foundational piece of a man’s wardobe would just be cliche. Not only that, but simply pointing out the cliche is probably in and of itself a cliche.
And round and round we go. Pretty sure I’ve even confused myself now.
Is the traditional gold button look infallible? Or does the newer, sleeker, matching-in-hue-buttons improve one of the most entrenched articles of clothing ever? Your vote goes in the comments section below, but consider this. I could be wrong, but it’s doubtful that any woman in recent memory took one look at a man’s gold buttoned blazer and thought: “That’s sexy.”
I’ll take the new school option every single time.
Other slimmed down blazers: Calvin Klein Stretch Wool Blazer – $199, Lands’ End Canvas Heritage Navy Blazer – $179.00. The Indochino options do come with the $75 re-tailoring credit, and you have to admit, that’s nice. BUT… also know they’re a “wool blend.” No word yet on what it’s blended with, or to what % level.
When I see a gold buttoned blazer, I don’t see a blazer. I just see gold buttons. To me, it seems rather garish. Yeah its a classic, but so are fedoras.
New school anyday
This one is easy: those gold buttons are TERRIBLE.
I’m with above–they’re garish. I like a bit of color in buttons sometimes, but the gold? No no.
“but it’s doubtful that any woman in recent memory took one look at a man’s gold buttoned blazer and thought: ‘That’s sexy.'”
I certainly agree that gold button blazers can look incredibly dorky and I can dig that it’s not a look everyone would like. However, I’ll also say that if you’re dressing a certain way to impress others, even the fairer sex, you’re doing it for the wrong reasons. When you dress for yourself, regardless of the buttons on your blazer, that confidence shows through. I’d take a woman who’s attracted to my self confidence over a woman attracted to my blazer any day.
So my vote goes for the gold button blazer, just to be contrarian 🙂
I would go with the gold buttons. In fact, I like the muted brass a bit more, but it’s a classic look that has looked good for 100 years and will continue to look good for 100 years. How can you question that?
It depends on the person and the blazer. Personally I have tonal buttons on my cotton navy blazer that I wear all summer and the brass buttons on my wool blazer. But I am also a southerner living in New England so I can get away with the brass where others might not be able to. Its not an issue of stylistically right or wrong, just whatever you are into.
No thanks to this good old boy look…its lame. I swear this is like the old mans uniform seriously…look at them all, pleated (disgusting) khakis, with a tatershall (i like the tatershall) button down shirt, under this most of the time boxy monstrosity(spellcheck).
-10
NEW SCHOOL
Not so sure about gold buttons, but I think everyone should at least have a blue blazer with muted brass buttons. My goto blazer is one with brass buttons I found at a thrift store that fits like a glove. I love the sound the buttons make clinking together when I pull it on… nothing like it.
I found a good-as-new blue blazer that fit me like I’d had it tailored at a consignment shop. My girlfriend immediately switched out the gold buttons for brown ones. It looks great now and I don’t feel like a guest on The Love Boat.
I have the traditional w/ gold buttons… just by default. Has been hanging in the closet for years. Now that I’ve discovered Tonal buttons, they are definitely better.
Without the gold buttons it simply looks like a suit jacket or run-of-the-mill sport coat. By definition a blazer is a different article of clothing. I’m not saying that the other jackets don’t look good, but they’re not blazers!
I recently bought a dark navy blazer from Burberry with silver buttons. Guess I’m not allowed to vote then 🙂
It looks stunning by the way.
Have to agree with the call on the tonal buttons. I think it looks way better. The gold buttons are just too flashy for me.
Classic? Sure. But then again, so are pleated pants.
How can you go wrong with these classic Unicorn buttons?
http://www.bensilver.com/Unicorn,18432.html
And, in the spirit of affordable style, get to know the button selection at your local fabric and craft store, and you’ll be able to switch them out from the often more affordable gold button version…
Going to vote for the gold (or metal) buttons. Having one piece is a must for any wardrobe. And if it’s good enough for Bruce Campbell, it’s good enough for me.
http://youtu.be/Af1OxkFOK18
The tonal buttons make the one jacket look very nice, but the traditional is a nice option as well. Depends upon the mood and the situation. Sometimes a little blatant prep or trad is fun.
I went with tonal buttons on my more casual cotton blazer. My wool blazer has brass buttons. As long as the fit is spot on and you pair it right, the brass doesn’t overpower the outfit like some people believe the gold may.
That’s true. An understated brass can be a decent alternative to the gold. It isn’t so much the metallic button as the shininess of it.
I’ve got both. And people say I can’t make up my mind.
I, too, have both styles (both non-Indochino) one with brass, one with dark blue. I like them both. I wear them both. I get far more compliments when I wear the brass-buttoned one.
brass baby
Just a heads up to those considering the Indochino Traditional (or any Indochino coat w/gold buttons for that matter):
There is an option to switch out those eyesores for some less gaudy buttons. And if you can’t find that option in the customization tabs, email the company and they will accommodate your request.
I’m there with you on the Silver Buttons, I feel like they provide a nice middle ground between the gold and the tonal buttons. They draw some attention but aren’t as loud as gold or brass.
Also, one of these for 3.50 a piece might go well in the front pocket of either…http://canvas.landsend.com/pp/PocketSquare~206455_-1.html
Gold. Be a man.
Tonal buttons will make your blazer look like an orphaned suit jacket. I inherited a navy blazer from my dad, and immediately replaced the gold buttons (very country-club) with silver ones.
gold
To me, gold/brass buttons just look dated and sailor-ish. The fact that something has merely been around for a long time doesn’t make it stylish or appropriate for any given person – see also, sack suits, high-waisted pants, excessive pleats, shoulder pads.
The two images that come to mind when I think of gold buttons on a navy blazer are an old man in an oversized coat with ill-fitted khakis and weird tasseled shoes, or a small child with unusually obnoxious parents.
Those aren’t exactly style icons in my book.
I like white buttons, personally. Same pop/visual flair as gold, but less geriatric.
(without different coloured buttons, you just look like a poor schmoe wearing your navy suit’s jacket)
As with most *potentially* outdated classics (such as pleated pants) I think a proper fit is make or break here. If your gold-buttoned-blazer is hanging two inches off your shoulders and fits like a sack of flour, you’ll look terrible.
I think a well fitting blazer with gold buttons can be killer. Not to mention, tonal buttons make a blazer look like an orphaned suit jacket. That said, white, brass, and muted silver buttons are great too.
A well-dressed man with a Navy Blazer and Gold buttons is always a classic look, and yes, a woman would look and think, “that’s sexy.”
Now I’ve seen plenty of men that don’t have the faintest idea how to pull it off. Big difference.
When I got my blazer, the first thing I did was replace the gold with tonal. I think they both have their place, but with metal buttons, I’d be more likely to go with a muted brass, or silver. The shiny gold looks garish to me.
Hey Joe,
On the page for Indochino’s “Tailor’s Kit” it says the fabric for the ultimate navy blazer (tonal buttons) is 100% wool. Don’t know why it says blend in the description, or which end the error is actually on.
(Actually, it’s the same thing for both blue blazers.)
tonal buttons
Neither: Horn buttons or mother of pearl avoid the twin pitfalls of dated brass/gold and the orphaned suit jacket look that tonal brings. A tailor can swap them out easily.
+1 for MoP buttons.
You should only own a blazer with gold buttons now-a-days if you have a boat and only then wear it…
Gold all the way. Its a classic and has been a staple in every mans wardrobe for decades for a reason.
Kind of like a black, no-vent, grosgrain faced, peak lapel, worsted wool dinner jacket … despite the fact that many feel it’s okay to “innovate” with weird colours, materials, cuts and fabrics a classic is a classic. As someone said, if it fits then it’ll look so much more eye catching and will be more timeless than all the “innovative” options.
I was going to say tonal buttons only, but I have to amend that in light of these fantastic unicorn buttons.
Tonal, except when unicorned.
Mother of pearl looks great and I’m surprised it hasn’t been mentioned more. I’ve considered dark smoked mother of pearl buttons before too.
More importantly, what about silver or pewter? I just made a navy corduroy jacket and opted for brushed nickel on the buttons. Is that out of line?
Alvin Flusser recommends silver metals (specifically on a blazer) for the gentleman with silver in his hair.
Well, I’m not there yet, but I’ve been called “the oldest twenty-something” in the office, so I guess I’m in training for the silver years.
Matching buttons looks like a suit jacket. Gold looks to ostentatious. I got a blazer with silver (tin) buttons. I also like the look of horn buttons, or pewter.
Even classics can use a bit of updating. Navy blazers with brass buttons were fine for dad and grandpa but tend to look dated now. When I think of or see a Navy blazer with brass buttons I think of Ted Knight’s character on Caddyshack or Thurston Howell III.
Totally agree Scott. Depends on the mood and situation. Blatant prep or traditional is fun! The tonal is a great option as well. depends on what you’re wearing it with and your personal style.
by definition a blazer has to have metallic buttons, otherwise it’s just another jacket. antiqued brass is more appropriate for a civilian blazer, but you’ll see the shiny gold ones on club jackets. In fact, picking out the buttons you want is part of the fun of obtaining a good blazer….
Tonal is boring, blends in with all the other jackets. Gold is classic, stands out, and looks good. If you wanna do what everyone else does, go tonal, if you want to make a statement, go gold.
I understand your sentiment. However, men and women look differently upon mens attire. Most men would like to have a fabulous set of Benson & Clegg or Holland & Sherry buttons on their blazer. I personally don’t dress for women. I wear what I like. Women wear what they think will attract men. That’s the difference. So go and get some luxurious buttons to put on your blazer. Life is too short not to look good.
For my money, it isn’t a blazer without the brass buttons! Anything else is a sports jacket or an orphaned suit jacket. Both have their place,but who could argue with the timeless classic of a blue blazer in 2, 3 or DB with those lovey brass buttons! What a chance to bling it up witout looking too much like a pimp (maybe you’re pimpin’ it but it looks classy!).
Brass buttons look good with tee-shirt and jeans, cords (I saw Prince William rock it a few years back that way). with the obligatory grey, charcoal, Oxford, light grey trousers, with sorts for those formal bbq times, with patterend (prince of Wales Check or Glen plad [or other patterns if they work!] trousers) or with the white, cream, beige or Cavalry twill trousers.
I guesss I need hardly say that I am a great blazer booster and own far more than I should and wear them a great deal. Plain buttons are for everything else, reserve one jacket, the male equivalent of the LBD (Little Black Dress) for the ‘humble’ old pal–the blazer!
Brass. Absolutely. It’s a whisper, just like cordovan penny loafers. It’s a strong message, but a whisper.
I was actually wondering if anyone would mention this. Seems fairly logical to me. Have you happened upon any pictures demonstrating this look correctly? I’d love to see some examples if you have any.
I’m old school and very “ivy league” when it comes to what I like to wear. I have monogrammed satin gold buttons on one of my navy blazers given as a gift and gold fox heads on the other (one blazer is a lighter wool and the other is a heavier wool).
My blazers are tailored and classic. I think buttons are personal and no one’s opinion is better than another person’s. Personally, it depends on how you plan to wear your blazer. I usually wear khakis with mine and sometimes jeans. If you plan to wear a navy blazer frequently, then I would opt for same color buttons just to make the blazer more versatile.
If you’re caught up on some crazy button sh*T, remember that at the end of the day, it’s you swagger (confidence) that should shine through…not some personal button choice.
If you’re interested in rockin’ the classic dad look or possibly the frat-daddy thing then the gold button blazer is yours. However, sleek, timeless, and modern, I feel the muted, matching buttons is the avenue.
Tonal buttons for sure. Gold/ brass comes off a little too tacky for my liking.
Translation: “I dress for myself, so the stereotype that men dress for women is untrue. The stereotype that women dress to impress men is the gospel truth, however.”
*facepalm*
Blue blazer with brass buttons was my childhood church uniform and my school choir uniform. Can’t do it anymore.
Navy Blazer means Gold/Brass buttons! In fact, this combination has been a Staple in men’s wardrobe for generations. The look is not for everyone and it requires a bit of knowledge as to how and when to pull it off. Leave the more advanced fashion to those with experience. Tonal buttons do not a blazer make.
I ordered a “Navy” wool blazer from Indochino and I knew it would have matching buttons. At least it has patch pockets. 😉 The first thing that struck me was this “Navy” is really, really dark. You can barely tell there is any blue there. OK, I know Navy is dark, but I’ve seen some Navy that wasn’t quite this black. So I was a little disappointed there. But the buttons just do not work for me. I just went to Amazon and ordered a nice set of oxidized-silver toned Waterbury buttons that I think will make the dark dark Navy pop. You should know I am an old man (of 56) and completely gray of hair and beard. So fretting over whether I look like I’m wearing an old man’s uniform won’t happen. A pair of black 505 jeans, purple button down, dark brown loafers and a bleached panama will keep people from staring at my buttons.
So…what kind of attention do you get? 😉
Agreed. Gold-button navy blazers scream prep-school boyish to me. And this is coming from someone who typically dresses more conservatively.
My girlfriend tells me absolutely 100% brass/gold buttons not only look much better, but are pure class. Who am I to argue!? Besides, you don’t want your jacket looking like an orphaned suit jacket.