We often think of buttons as purely functional. But in personal style, especially when dressing with intention, every detail matters – including your buttons. They’re small, yes, but buttons are a surprisingly effective way to express your style personality and reinforce the story your outfit tells the world.
Buttons are one way you can add interest and personality to your outfit, maybe in a bold way, or in a subtle, more quirky way. Let me just get one thing out of the way. I dislike cheap-looking buttons that don’t match the garment. In fact, buttons are one of the things I’m most likely to change up on a garment if there is something about them that I don’t like, for example, if they put bright shiny gold buttons on a cool-toned blazer.
How Buttons Reflect Your Style Personality
Let’s look at how you might choose different buttons based on your dominant style personality. Same blazer – very different energy.
Classic: Understated and Timeless
Choose buttons in a matching tone, such as matte navy or a dark horn, for a simple and unobtrusive look. Think refinement and longevity. Nothing trendy, nothing flashy. A classic woman doesn’t want her buttons to walk into the room before she does.
Relaxed: Casual and Comfortable
Opt for wooden, matte plastic, or even tortoiseshell buttons. Natural textures work well here. They signal ease and effortlessness, a laid-back look that doesn’t feel fussy.
Dramatic: Bold and Statement-Making
Large metallic buttons will take centre stage. Sculptural shapes or high-shine finishes add impact. If you’re dramatic, you want your buttons to say, “I’m here. Notice me.”
Here’s an example of a Dramatic outfit that featured black buttons, which I exchanged for buttons that blended with the colours in the pattern, as I didn’t feel that buttons needed to be a feature.
Creative: Artistic and Eclectic
Mismatched vintage buttons, geometric designs, or fabric-covered ones in contrasting colours make this blazer truly you. It’s about surprise and whimsy – expect the unexpected.
Feminine: Soft and Romantic
Pearlescent or mother-of-pearl buttons bring a gentle, pretty finish. Think delicate, perhaps even floral motifs. Subtle sparkle is also welcome – something that catches the light and the eye.
This top has sparkly flower buttons, which is one of the reasons I bought it!
Elegant Chic: Polished and Refined
Go for sleek metallic buttons, perhaps in brushed brass or polished pewter. Minimalist but luxe. Elegant Chic loves quality and precision, the kind of button that whispers quiet confidence.
The Power of a Small Detail
This blazer becomes a canvas, and the buttons are the brushstrokes that change its expression.
What’s so powerful about this approach is that you don’t need to overhaul your entire wardrobe. A quick button change can instantly align a garment with your personality. It’s a subtle but significant way to make your clothes more you.
Get Creative and Use Brooches
One of the great style tips that I got from the late, great Brenda Kinsel was to pop brooches over the buttons to make them the feature, like she did here.
Style Tip
Next time you’re buying (or restyling) a jacket, coat, cardigan or blouse, ask yourself, “do the buttons reflect who I am?” If not, consider swapping them. It’s a simple, affordable way to customise your look.
Here I’ve swapped out boring brown buttons for different shapes to add a more creative edge.
Looking to find some more fun interesting buttons to add to your clothes? Here is a great list of button suppliers in the UK and my favourite button shop in Australia (well, of the button shops I’ve been to).
Would you like to be able to define what your personality is and how you want to express it through your clothing? This is just part of my 7 Steps to Style program (you also discover your ideal colours along with what suits your body shape, how to wardrobe, how to define your style plus so much more). Find out more here.
