What are quality suit buttons made out of?
Although they are only a small detail, the material and color of a button can really define the character of a suit. In our button collection for suits we have 5 different qualities. They are available in different colors and materials, natural and man-made, processed and unprocessed. Read on for the details of each type offered, their pros and their cons.
Horn
Horn buttons are made from the hollow upper part of ox horn. They are known for their rich, deep colour and have a beauty that is difficult to capture in an imitation. The finish can be anywhere from a rough, weathered look to a highly polished shine, but any good horn button has a radiance that no plastic copy can reproduce.
Pros
• High strength
• A natural, sustainable material
Cons
• Only available in brown tints
• Every button has a slightly different look
• Additional surcharge*
Mother of Pearl
Mother of pearl buttons are made from the inner lining of mollusc shells, such as oysters and mussels. Nacre, a naturally occurring substance in molluscs and the raw material from which pearls are formed, is what gives the inner lining of these shells their beautiful, opalescent quality. Mother of pearl buttons come in a variety of sizes, with the larger buttons being highly prized as they are more fragile and difficult to obtain.
Pros
• Dynamic depth of colour
• Luxurious natural shine of the pearl
Cons
• Can crack in dry cleaner
• Additional surcharge*
Corozo
Corozo, also referred to as ‘vegetable ivory’, is made from the seeds of the Tagua palm tree that grows in the equatorial rainforest of Central America. The tree takes 15 years to mature, meaning the first seeds are only produced every 16 years. Buttons made from this fibre are relatively scratch and fade resistant as well as having a beautiful natural grain.
Pros
• Scratch and high-temperature resistant
• Natural ‘wooden’ grainlines
Cons
Additional surcharge*
Galalith
Galalith, or ‘milk stone’ in Greek, is made from a mixture of milk proteins (casein) and gas (formaldehyde). It was originally created as a raw material for white boards until the fashion industry discovered its many strengths. Galalith is inexpensive to manufacture and lends itself to cutting, drilling, gluing, embossing and dying – ideal for mass production. Galalith can even be altered to make highly realistic-looking imitation gemstones. When polished and glossed up, a button made with Galalith can look very similar to ivory or horn.
Pros
Beautiful luxurious shine
Cons
• Can crack in dry cleaner
• Additional surcharge*
Urea
Urea buttons are made from a unique plastic material. Although originally developed to imitate the natural appearances of wood horn and nut materials, it is now available in all kind of colors. Compared to other button materials, urea has excellent properties of resistance to weather, impact, chemicals and heat. It also lends itself well to mass production, as it is easy to source and supply.
Pros
Very strong and durable
Cons
Not 100% natural
*Additional premium button surcharge will be waived during all Hall Madden 2022 orders