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Would you wear it? The Shoulder Button Sweater

December 16, 2011 By Joe | Heads up: Buying via our links may result in us getting a commission. Also, we take your privacy rights seriously. Head here to learn more.

Gant Breton Stripe Crewneck Sweater – $49.00 via gilt

Remember when epaulets started showing up on everything?  Maybe these buttons are the next evolution of unnecessary shoulder embellishment.

They’ve been seen on men’s nautical sweaters in the past, and I suppose if you’ve got a busted rotator cuff from fighting a marlin or something, then yeah, having a wider area to put your head through might be of some service.  But like a few other things, shoulder sweater buttons seem to have more or less permanently migrated to the women’s side of the style aisle.
.

Left:  Old Navy – $25.00 | Right: ASOS – $44.54

But would you wear one?  Are these no different than the accent button(s) seen on some shawl collars?  Or are you not a fan of those either, and these are even more of a deal breaker?  Leave your take in the comments below…

Filed Under: Clothing Tagged With: shoulder button sweater, would you wear it?

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Comments

  1. Andrew B says

    December 16, 2011 at 2:35 AM

    In before the haters– I love these and want all of them.

  2. Ouch says

    December 16, 2011 at 4:07 AM

    Sorry, wouldn’t wear it under gunpoint.

  3. I'm a Dapperreader says

    December 16, 2011 at 4:51 AM

    Figured I’d share this here: J.crew has 30% off on almost everything (except for 3rd party products) with no minimum AND free shipping for today, Dec 16th, only. Regular and sale items. It also works in their retail stores. I’ll say they must be real desperate to pull this unheard promo (for J.crew). If I didn’t know any better, I’d say they were copying it from BR… 

  4. JRok says

    December 16, 2011 at 5:05 AM

    Na.  The buttons are no more than chotchkies when put together like this.

  5. Anonymous says

    December 16, 2011 at 5:13 AM

    OMG, no!

  6. Tarek Dhanani says

    December 16, 2011 at 6:09 AM

    hell no!

  7. Mike N says

    December 16, 2011 at 6:10 AM

    Not a chance. Unfortunate b/c I’d like that sweater otherwise.

  8. Jason says

    December 16, 2011 at 6:15 AM

    I don’t hate it but no

  9. Nolanmerchan says

    December 16, 2011 at 6:27 AM

    Nah, this doesn’t add anything. at least epaulets are military-inspired and men’s fashion owes a lot to military duds. but this is just useless AND ugly.

  10. Anonymous says

    December 16, 2011 at 6:28 AM

    I’m usually a yes on the would you wear it questions. Not this time. Looks like a women’s sweater IMO.

  11. Jinkins99 says

    December 16, 2011 at 6:47 AM

    I’ll admit the look isn’t for everyone, but the sweater is called a ‘Breton sweater’ and originates from Brittany, France in the mid-1800s.  Originally used by fishermen, and later, the French navy, the buttons up the left shoulder are a hallmark of the sweater.  From what I remember, the sweaters were originally wool, with crew necks cut close to keep out the elements.  The buttons allowed the wearer to put on the garment.  So, while just for looks now, the buttons harken back to a pure purpose in their past, just as vents on a jacket are a nod to their equestrian origin.

  12. Giovanni Dennis says

    December 16, 2011 at 6:50 AM

    Via guilt,no…..shame,yes….

  13. Anonymous says

    December 16, 2011 at 7:04 AM

    As my wife owns several sweaters of the same style, I probably won’t be adding this to my wardrobe any times soon

  14. Chris Wallwork says

    December 16, 2011 at 7:06 AM

    Thanks, but no thanks.

  15. Bigtime says

    December 16, 2011 at 7:16 AM

    The Old Navy one looks OK – how’s the fit?  The contrast buttons ruin the Gilt one and the colors kill the ASOS one.

  16. Bennynojets says

    December 16, 2011 at 7:18 AM

    Thank you for the background.  While I don’t like the sweater at hand, I bet one would look better in a heavy wool cable knit with the high and tight crew neck.

  17. Matthew Nichols says

    December 16, 2011 at 7:29 AM

    I am a sucker for tradition/history in clothing and recently got interested in all things nautical after taking sailing lessons. When I was in NYC a couple weeks ago I had to pick up one of these from St James, pretty much the most authentic version of this sweater available. It was pricey at around $250 but its nice and thick and I think worth it. Plus a real frenchman helped me with my fit and purchase. I enjoy it and get tons of compliments on it.

  18. A_laksmana says

    December 16, 2011 at 7:38 AM

    I actually like this type of sweaters with buttons on the shoulder. The buttons make it easier to wear the sweater. Last year, Jcrew has similar st james nautical sweaters on 50% off sale. Got one in navy color, and really really like it. It is for men and the cutting is great slim fit.

  19. Butch_Z says

    December 16, 2011 at 7:40 AM

    Pass

  20. A_laksmana says

    December 16, 2011 at 7:40 AM

    http://www.jcrew.com/mens_category/sweaters/woolblends/PRDOVR~34572/34572.jsp

  21. Electrogent says

    December 16, 2011 at 7:54 AM

    Yeah, I sort of like them. It’s unusual enough to keep things interesting, but not so crazy it won’t match anything you own. If Old Navy clothes ever fit me I’d get a couple of those.

  22. Brandon Mohon says

    December 16, 2011 at 8:04 AM

    Non-functional buttons does not a sweater make.

  23. Sean S says

    December 16, 2011 at 8:07 AM

    not a deal breaker for me as long as the buttons are the same color as the sweater

  24. Al says

    December 16, 2011 at 8:28 AM

    Hideous and pointless.
     

  25. Anonymous says

    December 16, 2011 at 8:30 AM

    Pretty weird.  The buttons are almost unnoticeable in the pictures but I bet they are in person.  Any of my buddies showed up wearing one of these and the group would descend like vultures.  Kinda looks like a girls sweater gone wrong.

  26. es says

    December 16, 2011 at 8:44 AM

    i dig it!

  27. Ron says

    December 16, 2011 at 8:45 AM

    Yes, i have a sweet marc jacobs functional button sweater from a few seasons ago.

  28. Joe says

    December 16, 2011 at 9:39 AM

    Yup.  And Lands’ End is doing 40% off plus free shipping with DONNER and pin 1585.  Good through Monday and so far, it works on Canvas items.  Man… these retailers must be spooked by bad numbers or something…  Thanks for the heads up on J. Crew, and credit Anthony with the Lands’ End Style tip.  Expect something on the site come Monday since it doesn’t expire until that night at 11:59pm

  29. Tyler says

    December 16, 2011 at 9:44 AM

    I’m afraid I will have to pass on this new fashion.

  30. Dan Flores says

    December 16, 2011 at 9:49 AM

    Yeah, it seems more of a feminine trend nowadays, and nice job working Hemingway into this post; I always enjoy the literary, old school Nintendo, and general pop culture references here.

  31. Joe says

    December 16, 2011 at 9:54 AM

    I knew someone would know the history behind these things.  I had seen an explanation before, but couldn’t find it.  The originals: http://www.saint-james.biz/men-nautical-sweaters.php?id=63

  32. vinman says

    December 16, 2011 at 10:13 AM

    Absolutely not. Looks a little on the feminine side, like those boat neck sweaters you sometimes see. 

  33. f says

    December 16, 2011 at 10:25 AM

    Personally, I don’t find the sweater ugly or bad.. Just doesn’t suit my tastes. So I would say no. 

  34. Nick_Regazzi says

    December 16, 2011 at 10:35 AM

    a little ‘light in the loafers’ for my taste

  35. Anonymous says

    December 16, 2011 at 11:30 AM

    I think it looks fine but I’m way too old to wear something like that.

  36. Joe says

    December 16, 2011 at 1:05 PM

    Well played… (can’t say I agree for my personal tastes, but, love the fact that you got in early…)

  37. Sean Fitzgerald says

    December 16, 2011 at 1:22 PM

    It looks kinda silly to be honest

  38. Dakota says

    December 16, 2011 at 1:50 PM

    Dude, those saint-james sweaters are ridiculously awesome.

  39. Frank says

    December 16, 2011 at 2:30 PM

    I hate anything even remotely flashy or noticeable. I like simple, conservative, and well executed.

  40. Guest says

    December 16, 2011 at 3:30 PM

    hell no

  41. Frank says

    December 16, 2011 at 4:08 PM

    I can dig it… and I’d wear it, but not the old navy, either the st. james sweaters or the gant ones.

  42. FUnkyrobotv 1 says

    December 18, 2011 at 9:24 PM

    Ofcourse. This go’s with your not overthinking it article. Nobodys going to freak out because you have buttons on your shoulder.

  43. Peter Smedskjaer says

    October 17, 2012 at 10:07 AM

    Go a bit further back and further north. The sweater comes from the Faroe Islands and is traditional wear for mean. The buttons are often gold bell buttons, but contemporary versions use a zipper. The flap lets you release a little heat.
    The reason it was popular in France at the time, was due to the quality of knit wear from the Faroe Islands in that period. A major export from the islands to fishermen were knitted socks, but the french liked the sweaters as well.
    As for me, I would knit my own sweater and use pilot whale teeth on silk straps instead.

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