Page 42 - May2008

May 2008 THE NATIONAL Y3U'T'TOn BULLETIN 95

often painted with tiny flowers.
They were usually used close-
spaced in a row, as in the dress
shown at left, photographed
in the summer of 1918,
or on the suit advertised
in The Ladies Home
Journal, November 1917.
Rows of ball buttons
"the size of marbles" had been
fashionable in the 1860s, most of
them at that time being made of
glass (those numerous big ball
swirlbacks). Rows of ball buttons
S H E steps from her
for blouses or dresses reappeared
motor. Witho ut
from time to time in the 1930s, looking at her faee-
you know she is refined,
into the beginning of World War :lttracri\'e - :1 somebody.
H er clothes make you
II. There had been a brief fashion feel it. Her clothes have
personality.
for very large (some well over Print"LCss Suits and Co:atS h::n'c
2 ~rsollalit)' that enhances the
gr:u::c and charm of the wcan::r.
an inch in diameter) brightly Another rC3..0::0U why I'rintz.en
KllrmenfS are eVer and alw:lYs
colored balls in the 1930s, but :tssoc.i:ltcd with " Distinction in
Dress."
these were usually worn singly or Writt Iff SI.r1t 'SJodltl .f
Pri"WII SMil' -1IIt!vIt.rr "ir-
him if Fall 1.10;/,,,.
in pairs. A row of oversized balls
was a distinctive World War I
phenomenon.

All buttons shown actual size.

Lathed
Natural Horn

Elizabeth Hughes is co-author of The Big Book of Buttons. Originally
from England, she immigrated to America in 1962 and holds dual
citizenship. She lives in Pennsylvania where she is currently working
on the much-anticipated revised edition of "The Big Book."