Bonkers for Buttons!

By Sonya Nichols Burton

   They are small and don’t get much attention, but we couldn’t live without them. They come in different colors, shapes, and sizes. You are probably wearing them now. They’re buttons!

   There are zippers, snaps, and Velcro, but the little button has been around the longest.

   The first buttons appeared before the 13th century and were made of glass, pearl, copper, shell, gold, silver, and wood. Some even came from antlers, bones, and horns of animals. Early on, these buttons were just ornamental, or fancy-looking, but didn’t serve any real purpose. Buttons were expensive, so only wealthy people could afford them. Some wore buttons as a way to “show off” their wealth. Common, ordinary people only had buttons on their “Sunday best” clothes.

   Later on, the buttonhole was invented so the button could slide through an opening and hold fabric neatly together. People then realized how useful buttons could be. Soon, buttons were popping up all over, and they weren’t just for the wealthy anymore.

   Today, paintings, photographs, and coins show us how people wore buttons long ago and the types of buttons that were worn in different eras.

   Ever wonder what happened to all those buttons? Many people are so fascinated with buttons, that they collect them! Some button collectors begin with a few buttons, and then add buttons they find at yard sales or thrift shops. Button collectors even travel to other countries to locate antique or unusual buttons. Buttons that are hand-painted are beautiful and valuable. Kay Meier, an avid button collector, says “Buttons are authentic miniature works of art.”

   Button collectors claim that once you start collecting, it’s a hard habit to break! Many button collectors belong to “button clubs”. They travel to button shows all over the world where people buy, sell, and display their buttons collections.

   What makes a button “collectible”? Old and rare buttons are valuable, especially if they are in good condition. Buttons that were worn by famous people are also popular finds. Button collector, Jane Johnson, says “Buttons and history are completely intertwined”. You can learn so much about our world through buttons.

   In the nineteenth century, policemen proudly wore large copper buttons on their uniforms. People would refer to them as “copper” and eventually the nickname was shortened to “cop” simply because of the buttons they wore!

   Here’s another button tradition. Have you ever wondered why boys’ clothes button on the right side, while girls’ clothes button on the left? Long ago, wealthy people had servants to help them dress. The servant girls buttoned the women’s fancy gowns and found that buttons were easier to fasten when sewn on the left-hand side. The tradition stuck, and that is how buttons are fastened to clothing even today.

   Now that you’ve learned about buttons, you may want to start your own button collection! Find a container and gather extra buttons you find in your home. Ask friends or relatives to send buttons your way. But button collectors warn: Be careful! Before long you’ll be bonkers for buttons too!