Button
A fastener joining fabric, used ornamentally and functionally for millennia.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
A button is a fastener that joins two pieces of fabric together by slipping through a loop or by sliding through a buttonhole. In modern clothing and fashion design, buttons are commonly made of plastic but also may be made of metal, wood, or seashell. Buttons can also be used on containers such as wallets and bags. Buttons may be sewn onto garments and similar items exclusively for purposes of ornamentation. In the applied arts and craft, a button can be an example of folk art, studio craft, or even a miniature work of art. In archaeology, a button can be a significant artifact.
- earliest known use
- c. 2800–2600 BC (Indus Valley Civilization, Kot Diji phase)
- common materials
- plastic, metal, wood, seashell
- field
- fasteners, fashion, applied arts, archaeology
- known for
- joining fabric, ornamentation, historical artifact
- major production center
- Qiaotou, Yongjia County, China (over 60% of world supply)
Lore & Background
Buttons and button-like objects used as ornaments or seals rather than fasteners have been discovered in the Indus Valley Civilization during its Kot Diji phase (c. 2800–2600 BC). Buttons as apparel have been found at sites of the Catacomb culture, Russia (2500–1950 BC), at the Tomb of the Eagles, Scotland (2200–1800 BC), and at Bronze Age sites in China (c. 2000–1500 BC) and Ancient Rome. Buttons made from seashell were used by the Indus Valley Civilization for ornamental purposes as early as the Kot Diji phase (c. 2800–2600 BC). Some buttons were carved into geometric shapes and were pierced so that they could be attached to clothing with thread. Ian McNeil (1990) holds that 'the button was originally used more as an ornament than as a fastening, the earliest known being found at Mohenjo-daro in the Indus Valley. It is made of a curved shell and is about 5000 years old.'
Reader's Guide
Buttons have served both functional and decorative roles across cultures and centuries. Their history reflects shifts in materials technology, from seashell and bone to plastic and metal. The introduction of the buttonhole in 13th-century Germany allowed buttons to become effective fasteners, enabling fitted garments such as the Renaissance doublet. Buttons also became markers of status, with precious metal and jeweled examples worn as jewelry in Renaissance courts. In the 17th century, fabric-covered and embroidered buttons gained popularity in Europe, often decorative rather than functional. Buttons have also been used for concealment, such as in smuggling drugs or hiding compasses in military lockets during the World Wars. Today, over 60% of the world's button supply comes from Qiaotou, Yongjia County, China. Buttons remain a ubiquitous element of clothing and accessories, and are collected as examples of folk art, studio craft, and miniature works of art.
Did You Know?
- Buttons and button-like objects used as ornaments or seals have been discovered in the Indus Valley Civilization during its Kot Diji phase (c. 2800–2600 BC).
- Buttonholes to fasten clothing first appeared in 13th-century Germany.
- During the World Wars, some novelty locket buttons were produced that contained miniature compasses, but these were not standard-issue military equipment.
- Over 60% of the world's button supply comes from Qiaotou, Yongjia County, China.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a button in clothing and accessories?
A button is a small fastener that secures two layers of fabric together, either by threading through a loop or sliding into a buttonhole. It has served both a practical joining role and a decorative one throughout the history of dress.
What materials are buttons commonly made from?
While plastic is the most widespread modern material, buttons are also crafted from metal, wood, and seashell. The choice of material often reflects the garment's formality, era, or the maker's artistic intent.
When and where were buttons first used?
The earliest known buttons date to roughly 2800–2600 BC, originating in the Indus Valley Civilization's Kot Diji phase. This makes the button one of the oldest continuously used fasteners in human history.
Where in the world are most buttons manufactured today?
Qiaotou, a town in Yongjia County, China, is the dominant global production hub, supplying well over 60 percent of all buttons made worldwide. Its concentration of factories makes it a critical node in the fashion supply chain.
Can buttons serve purposes beyond fastening garments?
Yes—buttons appear on wallets, bags, and other containers, and they are also sewn purely for ornamentation. In the applied arts, a single button can be treated as a piece of folk art, studio craft, or even miniature sculpture, and in archaeology it often becomes a key artifact for dating a site.
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