Studs are impossible. Shame on you if you thought I meant something naughty by that. All I meant was that a man’s dress shirt worn with studs is not an easy thing to wear.
My latest vintage buy is a dress shirt designed to wear under a tux. I bought it on Etsy in the same packaging that accompanied it on its last journey to a shirt laundry, which was clearly dated in the early 1960s.
Talk about a purchase where one thing calls for another!
Having had NO experience with men’s tuxes or formal dress shirts, I was shocked when I opened the package and discovered there were no buttons with this shirt. How could I be expected to know that? The closest contact I’ve had with a man who wears a tux is through a James Bond movie. In my family, men wear jeans to weddings (even their own)—and frankly, I’m good with that.
Once I realized that the shirt required buttons, I went on a search. Did I know that I should search for studs? I would like to say yes. Sadly, I did not. Thanks to the wide wonderful world of the web, I searched for buttons and found studs that didn’t exceed the cost of the shirt.
Like so many things in life, I seemed destined to do this the hard way. The glossy black enamel that belongs on the OUTSIDE of the shirt was the LARGER side of the stud, which made it nearly IMPOSSIBLE to slip through either stud-hole.
I managed to force the studs into the hole enamel-side-out, but when it was time to remove the shirt, I found myself trapped inside. (I wonder if Liza Minnelli ever had this problem…) I consoled myself with this thought: “At least I’ll die in a beautiful shirt.”
Only after viewing THIS video on how to wear studs did I grasp a finer point. There is a right way and a wrong way to insert studs. For me, the right way was not intuitive. Guess I should have watched the video first!
Here’s another dress shirt revelation.
The size of today’s studs and the design of a men’s formal dress shirt are NOT the same today as they were in 1960. That’s a fact, Jack—and one I would never have known if I hadn’t acquired my own vintage dress shirt.
The leather skirt in this post was thrifted with the tags still hanging on it. The shirt is made of the yummiest cotton/poly blend you’ve ever worn. If you love vintage buttons and cuff links, you must visit Sentimental Journey Jewelry, where they make all kinds of jewelry from Victorian era buttons. My friend Lori learned about them at an art festival and suggested them to me.
What I learned on my vintage dress shirt journey
- Studs and cufflinks became fashionable in the 1840s. Reason: starched shirts were so stiff they were difficult to button. (That begs other questions for me, not the least of which is: Yes, but that was then, and this is now, so why…?)
- In the 1930s, pearl studs were popular because they blended with a man’s shirt better.
- Toward the end of World War II, black enamel and onyx studs and cuff links became the style.
- A man’s dress shirt has a button-hole tab where dress trousers can attach to the shirt to keep it in place. If you hate the feeling or sight of an untucked shirt, you can appreciate that. You might even wish we’d see that in women’s clothes. I do!
Have you written your letter to Santa yet? Get yours ready! I’ll tell you why in my next post. What are you wearing on New Year’s Eve? A man’s tuxedo shirt might be the perfect thing.
Life is short. Wear the good stuff.
P.S. I’m hooking up with a whole community of fashion bloggers connected through our friendship with Patti at Not Dead Yet’s Visible Monday.
Check us out!
16 comments
December 12, 2014 at 9:11 pm
Thanks for the interesting info. I love this outfit on you. And, I especially like that you did nothing to embellish at the neck/collar but “flashed” with the earrings and bracelet.
December 14, 2014 at 6:02 am
I’ll have to tell you about that bracelet! Can’t wait to see you in Florida, Girl!
December 13, 2014 at 2:04 am
Crystal, We always seem to be on the same wavelength – I just thrifted some men’s dress pants, and wore a tie last week! Also, Kevin misplaced his studs one NYE and worked some last minute magic with fishing line to close the shirt. It’s funny now 🙂
December 14, 2014 at 6:03 am
Let’s give him points for creativity! I’m onto the men’s trouser thing too. They are GREAT for my pear shape as long as I get a few things right. Cheers, girl.
December 13, 2014 at 10:34 am
You look splendid in your tuxedo shirt! I also love the idea of attaching the shirt and pants.
December 14, 2014 at 6:04 am
When I was in college, I had an artist friend who bought tux shirts and painted the bibs in gorgeous flowers. I wish I still had that shirt. Thanks for the compliment, Sue.
December 14, 2014 at 5:07 pm
That skirt and the blouse are so chic and classic…love it and loved some of the lessons you taught in the post!
December 18, 2014 at 9:12 am
Thanks so much, Pam! I’m still just amazed at finding a leather skirt that fit so perfectly and was BRAND NEW…oh the fun of thrifting!
December 14, 2014 at 6:06 pm
Great crisp-looking shirt, and wow, what a find with the leather skirt! Thanks for sharing with Visible Monday, xo.
December 18, 2014 at 9:11 am
One of my better finds, Patti! That’s the best part of thrifting! Happy Holidays! Thanks for hosting us.
December 15, 2014 at 2:43 am
Such a wonderful shirt, goes so well with the leather skirt.
Thank you for the information on studs and cufflinks, I have inherited several very early studs, I have never quite got around to using. You have given me inspiration.
December 18, 2014 at 9:10 am
The cufflink problem I ran into: the sleeves were too long, Jill, and I couldn’t wear the lovely links I purchased. What a bummer! So nice of you to visit and encourage!
December 15, 2014 at 9:56 pm
So glad to see you out and about at VM again … I rarely get beyond that these days, and have missed your face! Looking very sleek and holiday ready. Like a modern, minimalist Marlene Deitrich! In a skirt! So chic and such a great look for you!
Wish I had known you needed studs! A tip for next time, or if you lose some … pop by your nearest haberdashery if you’re buying any men’s clothing this Christmas. The kind of place that sells and rents tuxedos. Even if you just buy a pair of socks, when you’re checking out, casually ask for some basic studs and cuff links … they have them by the CRATE for their rentals … and they will probably just give them to you. A couple of bucks at the most if they’re not truly nice and charming people!
December 18, 2014 at 9:08 am
Wow, Jan, sure didn’t know that! Thanks for the tip. I had a killer set of cuff links. Sadly, I couldn’t wear them because the sleeves were too long and I HAD to roll them up to my elbows.
Talk about not getting out…I’m terrible, but duty calls! I’m doing well to post regularly, let alone be social. It’s sad! Merry Christmas to you!
December 17, 2014 at 6:16 pm
Love it love it love it. Men’s dress shirts are so wonderful. Love the crisp feel and the stud/cufflinks that go with them. You look darn fabulous in this outfit (down to the shoes!). Happy holidays.
December 18, 2014 at 9:05 am
Ah! Thank you so much, Linda! How kind of you. My only thing about the cuff links–the sleeves were too long to wear them and I HAD to roll them up. I had a cool pair
all ready, though–stillettos! Thanks for visiting!