Replace brass buttons on blazer for distinguished, grown-up look

Q: I prefer a conservative look, and I have a navy blue blazer that is exceptional. However, it has brass buttons that make me feel like Thurston Howell. I have never liked metal-colored buttons. How much difference in dressiness does having dark buttons make? Is there any reason not to replace the buttons?

A: For those too young to recognize the name, Googling Thurston Howell III presents the fictional billionaire from the old TV show, “Gilligan’s Island”; he is on Forbes magazine’s list of the world’s 15 richest fictional characters.

Because a perfect blue blazer is an essential element in a man’s wardrobe, I understand your pride in owning one. I also understand your point about shiny brass buttons and agree that changing them could be a fine idea. Certainly, there is nothing really wrong with the classic nautical look of brass buttons, but since you prefer a conservative look, the brass color may project a showier image than the one you want to present.

Not just accessories, the buttons almost become jewelry. That’s part of the power of men’s jewelry — for better or worse, it sends signals about who we are and our status in society.

Shiny brass buttons on a blue blazer have a youngish, preppy weekend-sailboat-captain air that works for certain men and in certain casual situations ... such as a 3-hour cruise. Today, it’s not as grown-up or sophisticated as a navy blazer with dark tonal buttons.

You are right, non-brass buttons are definitely dressier. Matching-i nhue buttons are a newer, sleeker look that doesn’t overpower the jacket the way some people believe the shiny disks do. Especially if you are wearing a watch, cuff links, a tie bar, and perhaps a wedding ring, all that metal can come off as far too much “bling.”

Nevertheless, before you decide to abandon metal buttons entirely, you might consider the more adult alternative of understated gold monogrammed buttons rather than bright brass ones with embossed anchors. It isn’t so much the metallic buttons as their shininess that makes them seem a little boyish.

Most good tailors have on hand navy blue or black buttons made of genuine horn — or at least ones made of plastic that looks like fine horn. They can sew them onto your jacket. Or, to be sure you get what you want, you may buy your own buttons and give them to the tailor to sew on.

By the way, changing the buttons can make your blazer more special or more casual. You have several other options besides navy or black buttons. If you are a fan of khaki pants or if you own more than one blazer, one possibility is to use brown or tortoisecolored buttons. They look great when you’re wearing a navy blazer with khaki pants. Or, if you pair your blazer with gray pants, buttons made of metal that is not brass but a subtle smoked pewter (or silver) make for a distinctive look. For a unique selection of monogrammed and/or university logo buttons, check out BenSilver.com in Charleston, S.C.

In much the same way as adding a colorful pocket square or wearing silk knot cuff links, changing the buttons on a blazer can add a note of whimsy and distinction for a very small financial outlay.