Benson & Clegg and their beautiful buttons

When I first saw the website of Benson & Clegg, bespoke tailors in London's Piccadilly Arcade, I was struck by the large selection of buttons available. Made for blazers in particular, they usually stock some 150 different varieties representing some of Britain's most prestigious military and academic institutions, as well as a large range of historical and decorative designs. 

Benson & Clegg's stand at the Coronation Festival this year at Buckingham Palace 

Made from a variety of different metals, they are either engraved or made as a 3-D design, for which a die is made. Often called brass buttons, they are now rarely made from that metal, which tarnishes quickly. They can be gilt or plated metals, silver or bronze. Many finishes are available.

I love the traditional nature of these buttons and am planning to buy some for a blazer being made for me at the moment. B&C are often commissioned to design and make buttons for individuals, families, clubs and commercial organisations. See Benson & Clegg's website here and my earlier post on owner and Master Tailor, Ken Austin, here.

Some of the different types of button supplied by Benson & Clegg - Grey Fox image 

The die, soft lead impression and final product - Benson & Clegg's Jubilee Button - Grey Fox image 

Benson & Clegg buttons - Grey Fox image 

Benson & Clegg buttons designed for a golf club - Grey Fox image 

Surely not a Grey Fox button....? 

The Tailor's art - Ken Austin of Benson & Clegg bastes a sleeve

Ken Austin, owner of Benson & Clegg, has more than 40 years in the trade as tailor and cutter and is a Master tailor. Here he bastes the sleeve of a bespoke morning coat, stitching it in temporarily to check its position before finishing it off.

I had a fascinating morning yesterday talking cutting and tailoring with Ken and his colleagues. Benson & Clegg offer a genuine bespoke service. Unfortunately the definition of bespoke is being undermined by those who offer a 'bespoke' service that is little more than made-to-measure.  I'll talk more about the difference between bespoke and made-to-measure in a future post

For more information on Benson & Clegg see their website or phone +44 (0)20 7491 1454 (and mention Grey Fox).