34 Types of Buttons for Clothes: Names, Photos & Style Guide
Can the right buttons make a blouse or kurti look more elegant? Absolutely. A tiny pearl-look button can bring a delicate touch, a covered button creates a tailored finish, and a metal button can make a jacket look sharper. Buttons also determine how comfortably your clothing closes.
This is your easy-to-follow guide to 34 button types and related clothing fasteners. It covers the names commonly used for different materials, shapes, decorative finishes and closure mechanisms, with styling tips for sarees, blouses, kurtis, jackets and dresses.
Before you start: these 34 labels are not 34 unrelated inventions. A polyester button might also be flat or shank-backed. Press and snap buttons usually describe the same fastening family. Cufflinks and hook-and-eye closures are related fasteners rather than traditional sewn-on buttons. The photos below are independently licensed educational examples, not images from someone else's video.
Explore the 34 names
1. Abalone Button · 2. Antler Button · 3. Bead Button · 4. Ceramic Button · 5. Coconut Button · 6. Covered Button · 7. Cufflinks · 8. Decorative Button · 9. Enamel Button · 10. Fabric Button · 11. Flat Button · 12. Frog Button · 13. Glass Button · 14. Horn Button · 15. Hook-and-Eye Fastener · 16. Jeans Button · 17. Lapel Button · 18. Leather Button · 19. Metal Button · 20. Nylon Button · 21. Novelty Button · 22. Pearl Button · 23. Plastic Button · 24. Polyester Button · 25. Press Button · 26. Resin Button · 27. Rhinestone Button · 28. Rubber Button · 29. Screw-On Button · 30. Shank Button · 31. Shell Button · 32. Snap Button · 33. Toggle Button · 34. Wooden Button
Material, design or fastening type: what is the difference?
Material tells you what a button is made from, such as wood, shell, metal, resin or nylon. Construction tells you how it sits and attaches: a flat button is sewn through holes, a shank hides the attachment loop on its back, and a jeans tack is mechanically fixed. Decoration describes its look, such as rhinestone, novelty or enamel-inspired designs. Checking all three makes shopping for closures much easier.
Natural and nature-inspired button materials
Natural textures, soft sheen and earthy finishes suit everything from relaxed kurtis to textured coats. Animal-derived examples need transparent sourcing, and synthetic alternatives can offer a similar visual result.
1. Abalone Button
Category: Abalone shell.
The luminous shell interior of abalone creates shifting blue, green and pink reflections. Abalone is one particular shell type, not every mother-of-pearl button. It is used where designers want an iridescent accent without adding a separate piece of jewellery.
What to wear and check: Try it against a plain, muted blouse. Check the claimed material and seek responsibly sourced or imitation alternatives.
2. Antler Button
Category: Animal-derived material.
Antler is a hard, bone-like material associated with deer; it is not the same substance as horn. Buttons made to resemble antler usually have rustic colouring that suits textured jackets or coats. Many are imitation products rather than actual animal-derived material.
What to wear and check: Try a faux-antler button for a heritage outerwear mood. Verify legal sourcing before considering genuine animal material.
5. Coconut Button
Category: Natural coconut shell.
Coconut-shell buttons are cut from the hard brown coconut shell and shaped into discs or other forms. They have a warm, earthy finish with visible texture. They are particularly appealing with simple, relaxed fabrics rather than highly shiny occasionwear.
What to wear and check: Pair them with neutral cotton kurtis or linen-look dresses. Feel for smooth edges and check wash-care instructions.
14. Horn Button
Category: Animal-derived material.
Natural horn buttons typically have warm layered or marbled shades and are associated with classic tailoring. Horn is distinct from antler and is not the same as a plastic faux-horn finish. Modern imitations can offer a similar look without animal-derived material.
What to wear and check: Try marbled faux-horn buttons on a beige or navy jacket. Check material claims and sourcing.
18. Leather Button
Category: Leather-surfaced button.
Leather buttons may be made from leather or have a leather covering over a separate base. Their textured surface adds a warm, casual character to heavier knitwear and outerwear. Synthetic leather-look versions may be easier to source and have different cleaning needs.
What to wear and check: Pair leather-look buttons with a chunky coat or cardigan. Read cleaning instructions before washing.
22. Pearl Button
Category: Pearl-look or nacre.
Pearl buttons often have a soft luminous sheen, but the term can mean faux pearl, natural shell mother-of-pearl or something else entirely. A button that looks pearly is not necessarily made from a genuine pearl. They are popular on blouses and occasionwear.
What to wear and check: Try a small pearl-look row on a pastel blouse. Confirm actual composition and care.
31. Shell Button
Category: Natural shell.
Shell buttons are cut from seashells and may be smooth, translucent or iridescent. Abalone belongs to this broader material category, while other mother-of-pearl shell buttons can look more creamy or pale. Natural markings make each piece slightly different.
What to wear and check: Shell buttons suit simple blouses and shirt-dresses. Verify material and sourcing if authenticity matters.
34. Wooden Button
Category: Natural wood.
Wooden buttons feature natural-looking grain and warm shades, making them popular on relaxed cotton clothing and knitwear. They may be stained, carved or polished. Surface roughness and moisture sensitivity vary with wood species and finish.
What to wear and check: Wood suits earth-coloured kurtis and jackets. Check for splinters, rough edges and laundering requirements.
How buttons and fasteners are attached
A beautiful fastener still needs to work well. Construction determines whether it is sewn on, snapped together, held by a loop or installed through sturdy fabric.
6. Covered Button
Category: Button with outer covering.
A covered button wraps a plastic or metal button form in cloth or another surface material. It can be covered in the same fabric as the garment, creating a neat tailored look. It is a construction style, not a statement that the interior is made of fabric.
What to wear and check: Look for covered buttons on coordinated blouse sets or jackets. Check that the wrapping is firmly secured.
10. Fabric Button
Category: Fabric-based form.
Fabric buttons include knotted, stitched, padded and cloth-covered styles. Some overlap with covered buttons, while others are formed largely from cord or fabric without a conventional rigid disc. Fabric details can blend into an outfit more quietly than contrasting hardware.
What to wear and check: Try matching cloth buttons on a front-opening kurti. Examine attachment stitches and loose fabric edges.
11. Flat Button
Category: Sew-through construction.
A flat button usually has two or four holes through its face for sewing thread. It is one of the most common closures on shirts, kurtis and light dresses. Although many are plastic, flat buttons are also made in shell, wood and metal.
What to wear and check: Choose simple flat buttons for printed clothing. Check that the buttonhole does not pull or gape.
12. Frog Button
Category: Decorative knot-and-loop closure.
A frog fastening uses a raised cord knot or shaped piece together with a matching loop. It is a complete decorative closure system, not just an ordinary round disc. Frog closures suit ethnic fusion jackets and structured garments with a traditional-inspired finish.
What to wear and check: Use a frog fastening as a focal point, and check that both cord ends are securely anchored.
15. Hook-and-Eye Fastener
Category: Concealed hook closure.
A hook-and-eye uses a small hook that latches into a metal or thread eye. It is technically not a button, but it is very useful in fitted clothing. Saree blouses, skirts and formal necklines may use hooks because they can be concealed more easily than large visible buttons.
What to wear and check: For fitted blouses, check that the hook does not scratch skin and that the seam is reinforced.
16. Jeans Button
Category: Tack-mounted metal button.
Jeans fasteners commonly use a metal cap fitted onto a small tack through sturdy denim, rather than ordinary sewing thread. This mechanical construction is chosen for areas that experience repeated pulling, such as waistbands and button flies.
What to wear and check: Inspect the metal hardware and the denim around it. A missing jeans button often needs compatible tack parts.
25. Press Button
Category: Press-stud fastening.
A press button uses two components that click together under pressure. The same basic family is often called snap button, snap fastener or press stud. Some versions are sewn on while others are mechanically installed, and they can be hidden beneath an opening.
What to wear and check: A concealed press button works well on a light overlapping kurti placket. Check secure setting.
29. Screw-On Button
Category: Threaded mechanical attachment.
A screw-on button uses a threaded rear fitting rather than a conventional sewing stitch. Some replaceable jeans-button hardware and accessory details use this approach. The button and threaded post need to be compatible or the fitting may loosen.
What to wear and check: Use a screw-on fitting only with its correct hardware. Inspect the backing periodically.
30. Shank Button
Category: Rear-loop attachment.
A shank button has a raised loop or stem on the reverse, hiding the thread from its face. The space helps accommodate thicker fabric under the closure, so shank styles are often used on blazers, coats and tailored outerwear.
What to wear and check: A polished shank button works on a jacket. Check that the rear loop is firmly attached.
32. Snap Button
Category: Snap fastener.
A snap button clicks into a matching part and opens with a pull. It is generally the same fastening family as the press button or press stud. Snaps may be sewn, riveted or otherwise installed, and are used on casual shirts, jackets and concealed openings.
What to wear and check: Check that the two parts align and do not pull out of thin fabric.
33. Toggle Button
Category: Elongated bar closure.
A toggle is a longer bar or peg-shaped fastener usually used with a cord or fabric loop rather than a small slit buttonhole. Duffle coats and chunky knitwear commonly use toggles. Wooden, horn-look and synthetic versions can share the same shape.
What to wear and check: A simple toggle makes winterwear feel relaxed and textured. Check loop strength and size.
Ceramic, metal and manufactured buttons
Manufactured materials offer a wide range of finishes, from everyday plain buttons to sparkling glass and marbled resin.
4. Ceramic Button
Category: Fired-clay material.
Ceramic buttons are shaped from clay, fired and sometimes glazed or painted. Their glossy or handmade-looking surface offers something different from ordinary plastic. Ceramic can also be heavier and more fragile, so it is not ideal for every everyday garment.
What to wear and check: Choose one as a feature on a simple cotton jacket or cardigan. Check weight and laundering precautions.
13. Glass Button
Category: Glass material.
Glass buttons may be transparent, coloured, faceted, frosted or shaped with patterns. Some resemble crystals and bring a vintage sparkle to clothing. Unlike buttons decorated with rhinestones, the main button material in this category is glass.
What to wear and check: One faceted glass button can be beautiful on an occasion blouse. Avoid knocks and harsh machine washing.
19. Metal Button
Category: Metal material.
Metal buttons may have polished, antiqued, engraved or embossed surfaces. They can be flat, raised shank buttons or tack-attached hardware, depending on the garment. The term metal tells you the material or finish, not the way the fastener is sewn or set.
What to wear and check: A row of metal buttons can give a structured jacket a sharp look. Check edges and skin contact.
20. Nylon Button
Category: Synthetic nylon material.
Nylon buttons can be light, smooth and consistent in colour. They may look like ordinary moulded plastic and are available in different attachment designs. Nylon identifies the polymer rather than a specific button shape.
What to wear and check: Use neutral nylon buttons for simple casual clothing. Check garment-care and ironing compatibility.
23. Plastic Button
Category: Broad synthetic material category.
Plastic buttons are common on everyday clothing because they can be moulded into many colours, finishes and forms. The category overlaps with buttons made from polyester-based resin or nylon, so plastic and polyester should not be treated as opposites.
What to wear and check: Keep the button subtle on a printed dress. Check edge smoothness, attachment and heat tolerance.
24. Polyester Button
Category: Polyester resin.
Polyester buttons often use a resin formulation that can imitate marbled horn, shell or plain opaque finishes. Polyester describes their composition, while their fastening may still be flat, shank or another type. Visual appearance alone cannot identify the exact polymer.
What to wear and check: Choose a matching polyester button for simple shirts or kurtis. Refer to specifications if material matters.
26. Resin Button
Category: Moulded synthetic resin.
Resin buttons can be translucent, glossy, marbled or coloured to imitate stone and natural materials. Many are made from synthetic polymers, including polyester-based resin. Resin is a material or manufacturing description, not a unique fastening design.
What to wear and check: Use a rich marbled resin button on a plain jacket. Check the finish for scratching or heat sensitivity.
28. Rubber Button
Category: Flexible material.
Rubber buttons are soft or flexible in appearance and feel, though some rubber-look products use silicone or other synthetic elastomers. Their material may suit sporty or casual styling. Rubber does not describe a single universal button shape.
What to wear and check: A quiet rubber-look finish can suit casual outerwear. Check heat resistance and stretch.
Decorative and specialist clothing details
These are used to make an outfit more expressive; some are functional closures, while others are ornamental or require specific garment construction.
3. Bead Button
Category: Decorative loop closure.
A bead button can be a single rounded piece or a cluster of beads that sits inside a fabric loop. The bead may be made from glass, ceramic, plastic or metal. This is a decorative closure construction, not a unique material.
What to wear and check: A little bead closure can highlight a kurti or blouse neckline. Inspect loop size and stitching for security.
7. Cufflinks
Category: Related formal cuff fastening.
Cufflinks join two sides of a compatible shirt cuff through paired holes. They are related fasteners rather than ordinary sew-on buttons. Designs range from simple bars to decorative metal or enamel shapes, often worn with dress shirts on formal occasions.
What to wear and check: Choose them only if the shirt cuff is made for cufflinks. They are not a replacement for a basic buttoned cuff.
8. Decorative Button
Category: Mainly ornamental.
Decorative buttons draw attention to a garment through pattern, shape or texture. Some still open and close clothing; others simply sit on the outside of a jacket or dress. The term describes a use, not a specific fibre, material or fastening structure.
What to wear and check: Use one standout decorative button instead of competing with heavily embellished fabric. Confirm whether it actually fastens.
9. Enamel Button
Category: Coloured surface finish.
An enamel button has a coloured or glossy finish, often over a metal base. These finishes can look jewel-like or feature small patterns. Some modern buttons use enamel-look paint rather than traditional fired enamel, so descriptions should be read carefully.
What to wear and check: A deep-red or dark-green enamel-look button can dress up a plain jacket. Check the coating's care requirements.
17. Lapel Button
Category: Decorative jacket detail.
A lapel button may be a purely ornamental jacket button, a button set near a lapel, or even a pin or badge described as a lapel button. Some fasten a garment and some do not, so the exact product matters more than the name.
What to wear and check: A small lapel accent complements understated tailoring. Avoid sharp pin backs on delicate fabric.
21. Novelty Button
Category: Playful decorative design.
Novelty buttons are small shapes inspired by hearts, flowers, fruit, animals or other playful objects. Some are functional closures, while others are attached mainly as visual decoration. Their charm lies in the design rather than a special way of fastening.
What to wear and check: One novelty button can brighten a cardigan. For young children's clothes, check for detachable small-part hazards.
27. Rhinestone Button
Category: Sparkling decorative setting.
Rhinestone buttons carry faceted glass or synthetic stones on a supporting button or fitting. They create a jewellery-like accent without a separate accessory. Protruding stones can snag fine saree blouse fabric or loosen with rough washing.
What to wear and check: Use one as an eveningwear detail. Inspect settings and avoid harsh laundering.
Which buttons suit your outfit?
| Outfit | Ideas to explore | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Printed kurti or shirt | Flat, plastic, wooden, polyester | Comfort, buttonholes, washing |
| Festive saree blouse | Covered, pearl-look, small decorative | Secure fit, smooth backing |
| Ethnic jacket or waistcoat | Metal, enamel, shank, frog | Fabric weight and attachment |
| Denim jeans | Metal jeans tack button | Correct setting and reinforcement |
| Cardigan or coat | Toggle, shank, wooden, faux-horn | Space for thick fabrics |
| Formal shirt cuff | Cufflinks for compatible cuffs | Matching cuff openings |
How to style buttons on saree blouses, kurtis and dresses
With kurtis and kurta sets
For everyday printed kurtis, use understated buttons in a coordinating colour. On a plain cotton outfit, coconut-shell, wooden-look or dark metal buttons create more visible interest. If a kurti has a decorative front placket, check whether the buttons are functional or sewn only as trim.
With saree blouses
Covered buttons can blend into the blouse fabric, while pearl-look buttons add a soft special-occasion finish. Many fitted blouses use hook-and-eye closures instead. A closure should be comfortable and reliable when moving or sitting, so fit matters more than decoration.
With jackets and occasionwear
Metal shank buttons and neatly covered forms can make a structured ethnic jacket appear more polished. When the fabric is already heavily embroidered, choose a simpler finish so the design does not compete with oversized buttons.
With casual dresses
Simple sew-through buttons suit shirt-dresses, while colourful novelty buttons add a little personality. Snaps can work on some overlapping openings. Be sure to inspect fastening strength and fabric support rather than choosing on appearance alone.
Five things to check before buying buttoned clothing
- Check that the buttons actually open. Some garments use ornamental button rows over a concealed zip or another closure.
- Look closely at stitching and backing. Rough shanks, loose snaps and exposed tack backs can cause discomfort.
- Check fabric tension. A fitted blouse can gape if the buttonholes or spacing are wrong.
- Match care requirements. Shell, ceramic, wood, metal and fabric-covered buttons can need different washing treatment.
- Think about safety. Loose beads, stones and small novelty buttons are unsuitable where young children might pull them off.
Discover thoughtfully finished outfits at ClothsVilla
Browse clothing for inspiration, then read each product's actual photos, fabric and fastening details. These independently sourced button photographs are not ClothsVilla catalogue products and do not suggest that the exact buttons shown are currently in stock.
- Explore kurtis for casual plackets and easy daily styles.
- Browse blouses for saree pairings and fitted closures.
- Discover salwar suits for festive and everyday looks.
- See Indian dresses for elegant and playful details.
- Shop sarees for coordinated blouse styling inspiration.
You may also enjoy our 25 Collar Types Guide, 43 Fabric Pattern Names and Fashion Aesthetics Guide.
Frequently asked questions about buttons
How many types of clothing buttons are there?
There is no universal fixed total. This guide describes 34 familiar labels, including overlaps between material, decorative finish, construction and related fastener types.
What is the difference between a flat and shank button?
A flat button has visible sewing holes. A shank button has a raised loop on the back, which can help accommodate thicker cloth beneath the buttonhole.
Are snap buttons and press buttons the same?
They usually refer to the same family of press-together fasteners. Some are sewn on and others are installed mechanically.
Are cufflinks ordinary buttons?
No. Cufflinks are detachable fasteners that work with compatible formal shirt cuffs.
Is abalone different from mother-of-pearl?
Abalone is a specific shell whose inner surface produces colourful nacre. Mother-of-pearl is a broader term for the nacreous inner layers of shells.
Are pearl buttons necessarily real pearls?
No. Pearl-look buttons may be imitation pearl, nacre shell or another material.
Which buttons are suitable for saree blouses?
Covered, small decorative or pearl-look buttons can look attractive. Concealed hooks or snaps may work better for some fitted designs. The best choice depends on garment construction.
Can an ordinary button replace a broken jeans tack?
Jeans waistbands commonly use mechanically attached tack systems. A durable repair may need compatible hardware rather than an ordinary sewn-on button.
Are natural materials always more durable than synthetic ones?
No. Durability depends on the particular material, manufacturing, sewing method and care. Fragile shell or glass may not suit the same garment as sturdy plastic or metal.
How do I keep decorative buttons from falling off?
Check the stitching, shank loops and stone settings, follow the garment's care label and have loose fittings professionally repaired.
Small details, better outfits
Now that you know the names, choosing a blouse or kurti becomes easier. Look past the button's colour and consider how it feels, how it fastens and how it fits the fabric. An elegant button is one that looks right and stays comfortable throughout the day.
Image sources and credits
All reference photos and illustrations were independently sourced from Wikimedia Commons with credited creators, links to original files and open licences in their captions. They are not taken from someone else's video, are not ClothsVilla product images and do not imply photographer or museum endorsement.
For additional construction information, consult India's Dress Making vocational material on fasteners and the Heddels button glossary.