We’ve all seen these funny little tools. What are they for, even? We no longer wear button-up shoes these days, but back in the 1920s and prior, this was an essential tool for putting on your shoes!
It’s a great illustration of how common button shoes and boots were by the shear volume of button hooks that survive today. This example I found on eBay – it’s a steel shank with a hollow handle. I have no idea of the age, but thought the design quite pretty.
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| Fancy buttoning these babies up by hand? I don’t think so. |
Button hooks come in all manner of shapes and sizes. Some are ornate, like this one. Some look more like bottle openers. Some are gold-plated and encrusted with gems. They’re a delightful testament to a lost style and technology.
16 Comments
Susan
June 19, 2012 at 8:28 PMWhen will you start offering these boots?!?
Lauren R
June 21, 2012 at 8:35 PMTenatively September for pre-order, and delivery by end of November. That is the goal, at least!
Jamie
June 19, 2012 at 8:42 PMI feel sort of dumb asking this, but I've always wondered about how you actually -use- the hooks! Do you hold the button with one hand and then hook the buttonhole with the hook and loop the flap/buttonhole over? Or do you hook a button with the hook to hold it up/out, and wrestle the buttonholes over the button with your free hand? Is it tough? I think I'm overthinking this. ;D
Unknown
June 19, 2012 at 8:47 PMI've always assumed you would shove the hook through the buttonhole, loop it around the button, and pull it through the hole.
Alisa
June 20, 2012 at 7:11 AMhttp://www.thebuttonhooksociety.com/collecting.html
MrsC (Maryanne)
June 19, 2012 at 9:42 PMI decent heft crochet hook is absolutely wonderful for buttoning and unbuttoning the backs of dresses with all the teeny buttons – same principle I guess. I used to give a crochet hook to every bride I made a dress for. 🙂
Lauren R
June 21, 2012 at 8:35 PMBRILLIANT idea!
Laurie
June 19, 2012 at 10:02 PMMrsC What size crochet hook did you use? That is a great idea!
Kathryn Grace
June 20, 2012 at 2:00 AMI think I want the hook more than I want the boots! 🙂
Laser Surgery Center
June 20, 2012 at 10:59 AMThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
kb
June 20, 2012 at 11:52 AMI remember seeing a hook in action when watching Disney's Pollyanna as a child. Love that they are still available today
Lauren R
June 21, 2012 at 8:36 PMooo! it's been so long since I've seen Pollyanna, but it was one of my faves as a kid too. Time to watch it again, methinks 🙂
Jennilee Cookman
June 20, 2012 at 3:06 PMI was going through stuff at my grandparents' house and found a button hook – wood handle about 5 inches long. I think my grandma used it on her shoes when she was girl…or it was her mother's, which might be more likely. But it was an awesome find!
Lauren R
June 21, 2012 at 8:36 PMGreat find!
Gwenyver
June 21, 2012 at 5:53 PMSo when can we expect Victorian buttoned boots and button hook to be available in your store?
Lauren R
June 21, 2012 at 8:37 PMThey're tenatively planned for pre-ordering in September, and delivery by end of November, in time for the Christmas shopping season. The button hooks will be available with the boots, or separately to buy in the shop.