Buttons!

January 17, 2007 5:06 PM

Where can I find new buttons for my blazer in Midtown Manhattan?

For some reason J Crew didn't include extra buttons on my new 3-button blazer. I recently lost the middle button and have no idea where to look for replacements.

They're nothing special -- just simple black plastic buttons. Where can I buy buttons? Duane Reade? A tailor? I seriously have no idea where to start even.

On the east side in the 40's would be awesome.

posted by paulrockNJ to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (9 answers total)

Go to a tailor. This should be easy.

This thread lists some tailors in Manhattan--including one by Grand Central Station (last two comments). But I think any nearby dry cleaner that also does alterations should be able to handle it.
posted by mullacc at 5:17 PM on January 17, 2007

If I were you, I'd ask at the J. Crew. My guess is they'll just give you some.
posted by YoungAmerican at 5:19 PM on January 17, 2007

Another vote to contact J.Crew.

If not, try your local dry cleaner that does alterations and repairs. They always have jars of buttons galore.

Another option is to go ot M&J Trim, or Daytona Trim, or the plethora of fabric and trim stores in NYC. There are even stores dedicated to buttons.
posted by LoriFLA at 5:25 PM on January 17, 2007

I think if you go into the fashion district, around 6th avenue in the 30's, there is a row of places that sell any kind of button you can imagine. (I might not have the streets right, but it's somewhere around there)

If you're feeling adventurous, you could remove the remaining buttons and replace them with something else entirely, so they'll all match.

But yeah, the easiest way is to ask or write J. Crew. If it's as simple a button as you say, any dry cleaner that does alterations should have one that's close enough.
posted by Brian James at 5:26 PM on January 17, 2007

If you're feeling adventurous, you could remove the remaining buttons and replace them with something else entirely, so they'll all match

Oh yes, absolutely. If you're even remotely talented with a needle and thread (I am most certainly not), you could even change them depending on your mood. Today? Big fat yellow happy face buttons. Tomorrow? Silver with a fun crest on.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 6:01 PM on January 17, 2007

Response by poster: Yeah, sorry if I was vague. The plan is to replace all of the buttons so they'll match.

Thanks for the tips folks.
posted by paulrockNJ at 7:05 PM on January 17, 2007

Tender Buttons, on E 63rd street, is an amazing store that, natch, just sells buttons.
posted by nicwolff at 7:26 PM on January 17, 2007

If you want something a little more regal than black plastic (and can wait for a bit), Waterbury is who makes the custom blazer buttons for a lot of universities, companies, organizations, etc.
posted by milkrate at 8:18 PM on January 17, 2007

M&J, all the way. Sixth in the high thirties, I think.
posted by thinkpiece at 10:18 AM on January 18, 2007