A rabbit hole for your rabbit hole...was watching "Moulin Rouge!" randomly and what do I notice? Ewan McGregor with a back button. I took a couple pictures from one scene but I definitely noticed it in another scene as well. I'll either post the pictures or email them to you if I can't figure out how to put them here.
Yes, I had totally forgotten about that saying about the loop on the back, but now that I read that, it revived a flashback to high school in the mid-1990s. I now seem to recall classmates making fun of folks who had that loop on the back of their shirts (I think I was one of those wearing shirts the loop), and that was the saying.
I was not even aware that this was "a thing" until I bought a men's vintage (1960s?) shirt a couple years ago. I found it unusual at the time but didn't really question it. Would not have thought learning about it would make for such an interesting read!
Reading this actually compelled me to renew my subscription. I was going to let it expire but I've really been enjoying the new focus since it started a few months back. I saw this article and thought "Nah. I don't even like back buttons on shirts. I find them fiddly and don't care for the look."
And then I proceeded to read every word. Nice work, Paul.
I find it interesting that in those photos, it’s not even buttoned! If you look at their Oxfords, those also all have a back button. They have an interesting story where they reclaimed an old knitting mill, so I’m curious if they have a reason for including that button in the design.
My father, who wore a suit and tie to work every day for 45 years, taught me to turn up my collar when putting on a tie, and that back button was a pain in the (back of) the neck. I don't remember his shirts having one and a check of the few collared/dress shirts I have in my closet turned up one. That's on a heavy denim shirt I'd never wear with a tie.
I only have one shirt with the collar button, it's a Tommy Hilfiger gingham patterned shirt that I think I had ordered online. I never thought about it unless I was laundering it and needed to unbutton it. It was always just "there." I appreciate the deep dive and backstory presented here!
In case i haven't said it lately, your ability to write 2500 compelling words about a button makes me insanely jealous.
Took the words out of my mouth! I never thought of this button much and yet I was so fascinated reading its history.
He write real good.
I own two Ben Sherman “polo” shirts that have back buttons. None of my many other shirts of this type have them. I definitely like the look.
Yup, have a couple myself, and it's almost always there.
came here to see if someone mentioned Ben Sherman's. I have one that has a mod bullseye snap instead of a button.
A rabbit hole for your rabbit hole...was watching "Moulin Rouge!" randomly and what do I notice? Ewan McGregor with a back button. I took a couple pictures from one scene but I definitely noticed it in another scene as well. I'll either post the pictures or email them to you if I can't figure out how to put them here.
Here are the pics, which Benjamin just emailed to me:
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54152452229_85c052383a_k.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54152121381_ff8895e118_b.jpg
“The inconspicu-verse”!
Also I was going to recall the phrase “fag tag” but you beat me to it.
Yes, I had totally forgotten about that saying about the loop on the back, but now that I read that, it revived a flashback to high school in the mid-1990s. I now seem to recall classmates making fun of folks who had that loop on the back of their shirts (I think I was one of those wearing shirts the loop), and that was the saying.
I was not even aware that this was "a thing" until I bought a men's vintage (1960s?) shirt a couple years ago. I found it unusual at the time but didn't really question it. Would not have thought learning about it would make for such an interesting read!
Reading this actually compelled me to renew my subscription. I was going to let it expire but I've really been enjoying the new focus since it started a few months back. I saw this article and thought "Nah. I don't even like back buttons on shirts. I find them fiddly and don't care for the look."
And then I proceeded to read every word. Nice work, Paul.
I'm picturing Eustace Tilley peering at a color button through his monocle. Well done.
I own one shirt with a back button (Tommy Hilfiger casual long sleeve) and coincidentally, I'm wearing it today!
Terrific article, Paul. Your writing is just a real treat, regardless of the subject matter!
LOVE your shirts, particularly the lower right one.
Thanks! I like that one, too. Pretty sure it's from the 1960s. I got it at a church thrift shop on Long Island in 1987 or ’88.
I bought a similar shirt to this one from Buck Mason and it’s my sole shirt with a back collar button. https://www.buckmason.com/products/m031-japanese-chambray-one-pocket-shirt
I find it interesting that in those photos, it’s not even buttoned! If you look at their Oxfords, those also all have a back button. They have an interesting story where they reclaimed an old knitting mill, so I’m curious if they have a reason for including that button in the design.
My father, who wore a suit and tie to work every day for 45 years, taught me to turn up my collar when putting on a tie, and that back button was a pain in the (back of) the neck. I don't remember his shirts having one and a check of the few collared/dress shirts I have in my closet turned up one. That's on a heavy denim shirt I'd never wear with a tie.
I don't think I've ever owned an OCBD without the back button. I do prefer having it strictly for collar creep reasons.
I've bought a lot of button down's from Taylor Stitch over the past decade and they always have them. (https://www.taylorstitch.com/collections/mens-shirts-sweaters/products/jack-in-brushed-heather-navy-stripe-2411)
I have a few shirts from LL Bean with the back button, including a chambray one I just bought three months ago.
I only have one shirt with the collar button, it's a Tommy Hilfiger gingham patterned shirt that I think I had ordered online. I never thought about it unless I was laundering it and needed to unbutton it. It was always just "there." I appreciate the deep dive and backstory presented here!
I have a few newer shirts with the back button. Due to limited space, it totally affects my tie choice.
I was wondering you'd need to use an extra thin tie to work with this back button!