The Button Boots Guide

If you liked our piece on Balmoral Boots, chances are you will adore Button Boots. In this article, we take up the case of this unique style that once held pride of place in every gentleman’s shoe closet: The Button Boot.

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Brief Button Boot History

A comprehensive history of men’s dress boots is beyond the scope of the present article, however, a quick glance will help you understand the role it played in years gone-by.

Ankle boots dominated men’s daytime footwear up to the early twentieth century. While the button boot followed, more or less, the same trajectory as the Balmoral Boot, it was Queen Victoria who took the lead on buttoned style. Her preference for ankle boots set the trend for both men and women. Up to the end of the Victorian era, men only wore boots especially during the day and changed into court slippers for evening wear. Over time, long riding boots became more common and dress boots were worn for more formal events only. With the passage of time, shoes replaced boots and the dress boot, more or less, disappeared from people’s minds and feet.

Queen Victoria Introduces Button Boots

First, the question arises: why buttons in place of laces? The answer to the question can be found not in menswear but in womenswear. Before the advent of the button boot, the preferred choice of ankle boot was the Balmoral. However as hemlines began to move upwards a woman’s feet were open to scrutiny. To give an impression of having feminine feet industrious boot makers added overlapping edges that fastened with buttons instead of the traditional laces allowing women to wear smaller sizes, the bulging flesh over the top of the boot remained hidden under their skirts. The boots, as in the case of the Balmoral, cover the ankles so there was no danger of exposed ankles which was still not considered acceptable. Men, not to be left behind, quickly adopted this design, presumably without the need to wear smaller sizes.

Men did not want to be left behind, quickly adopted this design even without the need to wear smaller sizes. Today, just like back then it was simply all about the looks!

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The 1880’s

The button boot became extremely popular with both men and women and in the 1880s, they began to be mass produced thanks to cost-effective machines that specialized in button attachments. An Elias Howe was the first to patent a sewing machine for cloth in 1845 which led to a number of sewing machines for different tasks. James Morley, from Massachusetts, patented an industrial button sewing machine that enabled buttons to be fed into an existing stitching machine. This enabled the mass production of button boots which paved the way for their success.

Besides being both fashionable and attractive, button boots were also considered to be practical and functional as the buttons would not get loose, unlike laces that would come undone as the day wore on. However, it was quite difficult to button up and therefore, a button hook was invented. This device facilitated the buttoning process and became as essential in a wardrobe as a shoehorn.

During the early 20th century, the button boot began to drop in popularity but continued to be worn till WWI. With it came rationing including that of leather and other items which led to the rise of frugality and a preference for function. Nevertheless, button boots continued to be worn among the more affluent members of society. However in 1933 U.S. President Roosevelt revised the Department of Labour’s cost-of-living index. This index was used to determine the wages of federal employees and included a list of consumer goods. Among many others, was removed from this list and thus in its September 25, 1933 issue, the ‘Time’ magazine declared the death of the button boot.

Button Boots Today

Fortunately, button boots have become increasingly popular with men interested in fine clothing and quality footwear. As such, one could argue that it is currently undergoing a renaissance and it seems like more shoemakers are willing to add these boots into their Ready-To-Wear program whereas it was exclusively reserved for bespoke or Made-To-Order projects in the past.

Characteristics of the Button Boot

Having more or less evolved from Balmoral Boots the Button Boot share many of the characteristics with a few differences:

1. The same distinctive seam of the balmoral that runs parallel to the ground, starting at the throat line near the vamp and meeting at the rear of the boot thus dividing the boot into upper and lower portions. The upper portion is referred to as the top.
2. Extends above the ankle.
3. Center seam in the back running the entire length from the heel to the top of the boot.
4. Leather soles.
5. Overlapping edges on the upper portion or top that are fastened with buttons ( usually five to six ) on the outside of the shoe i.e. can be seen clearly and not hidden between the wearer’s feet.
6. Usually available only as a Quarter brogue i.e. cap toes with broguing only along the edge (no medallion).
7. Usually comes in a two-toned version i.e. contrasting uppers and vamp, both in terms of color and material.

Button Boot Style Advice

The Classic

The most classic button boot is probably the black boot with contrasting white, off-white or grey suede leather contrast. The buttons are either mother of pearl or dark horn. This is the boot that inspired the use of spats! Men who couldn’t afford a proper pair of buttons boots would simply use a pair of spats to achieve the two-tone effect.

This kind of boot looks vest with Stresemann / Stroller outfits, Morning Coat ensembles, cashmere striped trousers, charcoal suits and anything else that is dark and meant for daywear. Because of its stark contrast, it’s only for people who don’t mind getting noticed.

Modern Buttons Boots

Contemporary button boots come in all kinds of combinations. Brown, blue, green, red – nothing is impossible and instead of solid suede inserts shoemakers play with fabrics such as flannel or tweed. As such they are often not suited for formal daywear outfits and instead they pair well with informal suits, combinations and sport coat outfits.

They can even work with denim or chinos!

The Button Boot is an excellent choice for the dandy because it is unusual, yet classic at the same time and with its two-tone heritage it is automatically louder than a classic brogue or oxford. However as dandyism is not the actual focus of this gazette we would not like to venture into its waters.

How To Button The Boots

The traditional way is to use a hook in this way:

• Open your button boot all the way. I suggest you wear them with over the calf socks because otherwise, your skin sticks to the leather lining which is quite uncomfortable.
• Once you put your shoe on, you get your button hook through the hole. It doesn’t matter which direction you insert it.
• Take your button hook and hook it in the shank underneath the button. Now, simply turn clockwise or counterclockwise. Both work and it only matters what you find more comfortable. Usually, one may feel more comfortable than the other and you just have to figure out what works for you.
• Once you have closed your first button, you simply repeat the process. It should get easier the further up you get.

In case you do not have a hook, here is how you do it:

• Simply pull the leather and push the button through from the bottom. It helps to keep one side to the button already on the edge of the button hole so you can more easily push it through.

Button Boots Buying Guide

Button boots are a special category of shoes and hence they are quite pricey. Usually you do not find them under $600 and usually, you have to spend more. They are not easy to come by on the used market, which makes them a true investment piece that you might want to save up for. Below please find an alphabetical list of brands that make them.

Aubercy

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BETTANIN & VENTURI

Cleverley

Enzo Bonafe

Foster & Son

Horace Batten

John Lobb

Kanpekina

Maftei

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St. Crispin