Surgeon's Cuffs: Myth or Magic? (Men's Suit Sleeve Buttons)

Are working cuff buttonholes on jackets a guarantee of quality? Learn more here: gentl.mn/surgeons-cuffs-guide
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00:00 Surgeon's Cuffs Introduction
Most often, these buttons are going to be purely decorative. But, in some cases, they will actually function. This is what’s referred to as a “surgeon’s cuff,” which is to say a jacket cuff that has working buttons.
01:30 History of Surgeon's Cuffs
There are a number of misconceptions about just how cuff buttons came to be. Some believe that buttons like these were originally added to British Navy uniforms by Lord Nelson to stop the lower members of the ranks from wiping their noses on their sleeves.
6:14 How Did Surgeon's Cuffs Get Their Name?
07:34 What's The Hype Around Surgeon's Cuffs?
Because of their historical association with the world’s most famous tailoring street, surgeon’s cuffs are often touted as a feature only the highest quality suits. To show that their suit is of high quality, many men will leave one of their cuff buttons undone to show that they are indeed functional. This supposedly sends a clear message to others that the man in question not only appreciates but can afford quality.
11:05 What's The Issue With Cheap Surgeon's Cuffs?
Working buttonholes on a jacket sleeve can present quite the problem when you need to get a sleeve altered. Once buttonholes are cut, that’s where they’re always going to be in the fabric, of course.
If you need to get your sleeve shortened or lengthened, this will have to be done from the shoulder of the jacket, which is much more difficult and time-consuming. Meanwhile, if the buttons are purely decorative, they can be simply be removed and the sleeve length can be altered from the bottom. And then, the buttons can be sewn back on.
14:21 Positives of Surgeon's Cuffs
15:33 Surgeon's Cuffs: Myth or Magic?
It can certainly be a magical experience to have working cuff buttons on your suit jacket, especially when their handsewn as we’ve just mentioned.
You’ll have the option to leave your jacket sleeves buttoned or unbuttoned to give you different looks. And there’s no denying that, for the menswear nerds among us, surgeon’s cuffs do have a deep and interesting history.
On balance though, it’s certainly true that, today, a surgeon’s cuff cannot by itself be a true signifier of quality in suit and, therefore, we’re falling more on the side of myth here. With so many manufacturers now being able to offer working cuffs buttons on their jackets at so many different price points, simply having them is no longer a surefire sign of quality.
17:17 Outfit Rundown

[@hiramlawson2824]

I Love the history lessons, they're so cool. It's a nice way to fill out the channel.

[@iris7911]

The question of taking the jacket off reminded me of my grand-mother telling me my grand-father never allowed himself to take his jacket off, even by quite high temperatures when they lived in Angola 😊

[@pablobaio9435]

I like the way Preston explains historical facts and anecdotes. Also his classic wardrobe combination is great. Nice video.

[@jamesconnop4029]

Terrific job, Preston! I was enthralled. Loved your historical sleuth-work. But gee, if Nelson actually *was* a design prodigy from age 9, is it possible he originally sought the admiral gig to showcase his fashion cachet? - I've long suspected Prince of doing something like that.

[@GoogleToobUser]

I do not know what I just watched, but I loved it! Wow! No joke. What a nearly perfect production. Internet, you do not disappoint. I am going to watch all your videos.

[@birdwatcher1337]

Super excited for more watch content. I'm a huge watch nerd and having my favorite KZbin channel also talk about watches is awesome!

[@Reziac]

Totally love that 1650s overcoat... now wondering where I'd find a pattern to make one... That brown jacket may not be top end but it sure is a flattering color and fit.

[@TheSaneHatter]

Invest first in a good sword: you'll need it in 1650.

[@akimbofurry2179]

Mood

[@maxine2798]

Folkwear sewing patterns?

[@bruceleehace20anos17]

The cut of men clothes 1600-1900

[@austinjon31]

Such a good video. At some point, each member of the gentlemen's gazette should explain their dream suit if they have to rebuild a 1 suit or 3 suit collection

[@AndreMonz]

Congratulations for your partnership with Federico from Delray watch!

[@FedericoTalksWatches]

Great looking Omega! Fantastic video Preston.

[@pierrethomas4705]

Thanks for your video team GG ! It's funny that this comes out today as I just went to pick up my finished sartoria partenopea suit jacket with surgeon's cuffs !

[@clintony3000]

I purchased two suits a few years back. A Canali, and an Ermenegildo Zegna suit. Both came with the option to get surgeons cuffs- which I of course opted for, because why not? Anyways, with those suits, the sleeves were left blank and the in store tailor made the functioning button holes after the alterations, so no worries about sleeve length. But yes, they stitch first, cut after. Personally, I like it. Hand sewn is nice, hand made is nice, but it's just not practical for the average person's financial situation.

[@DavidS-iy8bb]

Excellent jacket. Bit of texture, subtle yet interesting colour, good fit and a gentle roll on the lapel. Good choice.

[@zang9147]

I have a Tyrwhitt Signature suit with surgeon's cuffs. Definitely not a high-quality suit, but I paid $28 for it on Ebay. That price raises Raphael's letter grade from D+ to a C+.

[@189643478]

Correction, what you see is a liston amputation knife and not a "steak knife". It's still used today (luckily it's no longer often needed).

[@comradecracker447]

In fact I used one when cutting my steaks to eat today. Will cook them soon. 😋😉No steak knife though.

[@brunonjezic6208]

I usually hope having working cufs on all of my jacket, i feel like change in airflow with open or closed cufs is dramatic on hot or cold day. I especially love when they have some kind of adjustmen posible. Lovely seamaster!

[@ryanc1045]

I for one would love more watch content from y’all!

[@TattooedGQ]

I typically purchase made-to-measure suits with surgeons cuffs. I've always held the opinion that working buttons signified a better suit, although that's no longer the case, but you hit on a big advantage in my opinion. In warmer climates I always open a few buttons to catch a slight breeze.

[@brianwood2450]

Fascinating, simply fascinating... keep them coming.

[@carltrotter7622]

Perfect and informative as usual

[@truthreigns7]

Excellent as always

[@adambarfi]

Very interesting. You're really talented in presenting these contents. Greetings from Japan!

[@LanguagesWithAndrew]

That Omega was the perfect choice. It's cool to hear Federico is a fan of the channel and is working with you all now. May I make a suggestion for the next watch to feature on your channel? A JLC Reverso, it fits just perfectly with the general style and level of formality you all prefer and is the epitome of "classic".

[@gentlemansgazette]

It looks like we're on the same page! You can check out our review of the JLC Reverso here: www.gentlemansgazette.com/jlc-reverso-watch/?

[@arvindsahai552]

I knew something about surgeon's cuff, but this video enlightened me more. But I observe that the speaker while wearing a knitted tie having horizontal stripes should have been avoided with a check pattern shirt. I learned such clothing ethics from this as well as other websites.

[@marsoelflaco5722]

Always an education with Preston.✌🏽👍🏽🎅

[@rodneyp9590]

I hate when I have a suit without working buttons, I feel like a dandy with decorative buttons. I have a couple like that, what I can't deal with is a pocket that was sewed shut. I had one once so I ripped it open and it worked. It wasn't a full pocket but it held a square.

[@drip369]

Yeah it would take a weird twist to your arm just to get the metal buttons to scratch your face

[@chickensandwich8808]

While not fully confirmed I would also highlight that the idea of cuff buttons goes back all the way to medieval times. The pour pont/gambeson of Chales de Blois shows buttons not just up along the front of the torso but also from just above the elbow and to the cuff. This would be a style of higher fashion based upon the arming jackets that knights and higher nobles would wear. The difference e being they were generally fastened with leather or cloth laces rather than buttons. The buttons did serve the function of granting a tight fit to the fore arm which for a functioning arming jacket would allow the vambrace to be snuggly fit to the limb. Whether or not this is a direct ancestor to what would eventually become our modern day suit jacket, it's an interesting possible thought to think such designs would stretch back so far. Edited for lack of phone texting skills.

[@blktauna]

Exactly this. I pointed out the same.

[@malcolmalexander5246]

I used to have flared cuffs with a corner turn when ordering suits some 45 years ago. Flared cuffs continue to be attractive on mens suits and jackets.

[@LostChildOfTime]

Can you make a video on Saville Row, please?

[@sophroniel]

Fun fact: if you are competent at doing a basic buttonhole stitch (and, if you truly are making buttonholes I hope you are using an awl as is correct, a chisel as is passable.... instead of a loathsome scissor snip!) you now also know the basic stitch for macrame/lanyard/friendship bracelet, nålbindning (sometimes known as "viking knitting") and the "hardiest rough lace" method of lacemaking, which is a bit of an over-exaggeration for the perfectly pretty victorian art of tatting (which is worked with a tiny shuttle alone, or maybe onto another thread, and I use this method in place of knitted laces, such as detachable collars (like RBG wore), as well as edgings for cuffs, pillows and--shudder--even antimassaccars and *doilies* ! It is an incredibly useful versatile stitch, and is the most basic stitch onto which on can build more complex finishing and/or decoration and/or strength, for it appears in of many traditional embroidery stitches, weaving, tailoring, upholstering, leatherwork, shoemaking/cobbling and millinery, to name but a few!

[@thirdtemple9179]

I like the idea and I have a few surgeon cuff jackets but it’s not something I think about when buying.

[@MisterKnightly]

Beautiful watch. It's very you.

[@JoelMMcKinney]

I do like that knit tie

[@iris7911]

That kind of analysis is very interesting...at least for me, being a huge fan of historical sewing 😊 Thank you for the excellent explanations!

[@oscarfelipe76]

Muy interesante traducir al español o subtitulos gracias

[@RodneyAllanPoe]

You have superb grammar in your video commentaries. Even the split infinifive was not offensive to the ear. ✅

[@blktauna]

I prefer working cuffs and my blazers all have them. Tight buttoning sleeves is a thing in medieval and Tudor times. The Seamaster is a lovely choice!

[@mrmauve5206]

A few years ago when I first started out being interested in classic men's wear, I bought a second hand linen jacket by Gant. It had working cuff buttons, but the lowest of these wasn't even cut open, so that it was impossible to button it. Like a bit of very forced sprezzatura. This annoyed me to no end, I just thought it was incredibly silly.

[@fortysomethingbadgirls2173]

Thank you for that info on hand stitched button holes

[@thepipejunkie8359]

I think that pink checked shirt might be Preston's favorite lol

[@ravipeiris4388]

Great overview, thank you 😊❤️, Ravi Peiris M.D.

[@Eleanor_Rigby1966]

I imagine it could be useful when painting en plen aire

[@MikeB071]

I wonder if Jack the Ripper turned up his surgeon's cuffs when he was operating...? (Sorry, just a little bit of grim humor there...)

[@comicog3]

I bought a sport coat from a target brand, and it actually had surgeon's cuffs.

[@baze3SC]

A bespoke suit will usually have functional buttons. It's a more "high-end" solution and there's no need to worry about the fit. But in case of ready-to-wear jacket I wouldn't insist on having surgeon's cuffs because adjusting the sleeve length then becomes tricky or even impossible. One is very unlikely to use the feature anyway and most people don't care about these details. In the past the situation was different because a man would be expected to wear this type of jacket even while doing physical work.

[@extravoyagegaming2426]

what do you think of ben shermans black 3 peice twill suit , i am thinking of purchasing it in the new year

[@gentlemansgazette]

Hopefully, you'll find this useful - www.gentlemansgazette.com/black-suits-for-men/?

[@extravoyagegaming2426]

@@gentlemansgazette thank you , and a merry christmas

[@user-fg7kk1kn6b]

Hello from Philippines. All my coats are custom fit, worth $10,000 each or more.. but i noticed a thing that i just founded out when i was checking videos here THEY DONT HAVE BUTTONS IN SLEEVES 😭😭 is that bad? 😭 Im so nervous right now because these stuffs are so so expensive. I didn't notice it because i just wear them without really being aware of it I looked at generic suits and coats from designer brands literally right now, im seeing buttons in sleeves too

[@marquiswallace9957]

Great video! I love surgeon’s cuffs. I’d take a cheaper jacket off the rack with working buttons any day. I could never understand the non functional buttons. It seems more pretentious than the alternative. Everything on a suit should work and have purpose.

[@JACK_TheAllSeeingEye]

When I bought my first suit as a youth graduating high school (1977) there was no option. All suits had cuff buttons. Lower quality suits had non-functioning buttons just sewn on. Better suits had fully functioning buttonholes....but not so close together as today's suits.

[@blktauna]

I am not a fan of this button crowding I am witnessing.

[@aaronsung6208]

*2 thoughts* Having surgeon cuff doesn't mean high quality, I just saw a few BR suits with it just last month, *but its absence can be a heads-up for low quality especially when you are shopping online*. surgeon cuff can still be adjusted for half inch without throwing the sleeve off balance. Yes, suitsupply usually have short jacket sleeve, and its overcoat sleeve is at the same length as jacket. I highly recommend buying costume made suitsupply as its only about 15% more expensive than RTW. They have quite some options for materials and styles.

[@artcafe2684]

Wouldn't it make way more sense that style or to prevent snagging they had a tapered sleeve, which required button so you could get your hands thru the sleeve and then secure your sleeve. I'm not a Historian, nor do I know anything about the buttons, but that's my very first guess.

[@Ravenwood1936]

Didn't know that surgeon's cuffs were a thing in men's wear!

[@kolauttaja9447]

Huntsman has the kingsman logo

[@MrZWolfy]

Another great video with a bit of history. Thank you for the neatly paced and informational content! One question: Assuming the average gentleman owns a car, how on earth do others get by with styled hair and proper winter headwear? Hats are nice, but hardly keep your ears warm. Any tips around this topic?

[@AntiqueMenswear]

Hello, I am one of the chaps who wrote this video, and this is a question that I have often been asked. It depends on what kind of hairstyle you have, whether it's waxed, standing, long or pompadour styled; England was never cold enough to warrant them, but you could always look at ear muffs (that wrap behind the head) if you live in a cold climate. These are subtle and don't affect the top of the head. Perhaps a deer stalker if you're looking for something classic. You can untie the flaps to cover your ears. If it's really cold I recommend a fur trapper hat. At any rate keeping yourself warm and safe is much more important than looking good.

[@Reziac]

@@AntiqueMenswear I've noticed the freezing red ears when our chaps go out in that Minnesota winter... My uncle always wore a huntsman's cap in winter... with interior flaps to cover the ears. I throw fashion to the wind and wear a trapper hat (but I work outdoors in all weather... a more fashionable hat would be literally gone with the wind...) BTW any more info on that 1650s overcoat? quite stunning. Tried to find a pattern and more pics, but no joy. Some fascinating stuff on your own channel... subscribed!!

[@MrZWolfy]

@@Reziac Exactly the parts where Raphael and Preston showcase various outfits in snow made me wonder everytime about the hairstyle and winter hats. :D

[@MrZWolfy]

@@AntiqueMenswear Much appreciated! Some outfits are more about form than function, however health should come first. Would be great to at least see an article on the topic. At first glance, there is nothing relevant about "winter headwear/hats with styled hair". There are plenty of articles about hairstyles in winter though.

[@mikepez]

Many historians believe the sleeve buttons started as a single button so that gloves could be secured. Later, more “shiny” buttons were added to distinguish Officers from enlisted men. It was both custom and regulation among European Armies that Officers were not to be targeted on the battlefield so that “leaderless Armies” did not run rampant. Basically the more shiny bling a person wore, the more important and privileged they were.

[@karldelavigne8134]

I thought surgeon's cuffs were detachable shirt cuffs, not working jacket/coat cuff buttons. It meant they could roll up their sleeves.

[@j3tztbassman123]

Preston, I was hoping that the beard, from the sleepwear episode, was going to become permanent.

[@MECH-MASTER]

👍

[@TheSaneHatter]

When I was in the 2nd grade, I heard the "anti-nose-wipe buttons" story told about George Washington.

[@keshavvikram3397]

Most expensive quality RTW like Ring Jacket have unfinished sleeves and a tailor must finish the cuffs

[@salmanshaikh-ww7ev]

He's a robot

[@JonBurnsFineArt]

I'm cutting a button loose now just for that look. ( Still non functional)

[@logandouglas8772]

You spelled quality suit wrong on your hashtag. Just trying to help out

[@gentlemansgazette]

Great spot, thanks!

[@thiirane4279]

By and large, surgeon’s cuff is nothing but a sartorial fun fact which no more has practical nor aesthetic function in men’s fashion nowadays. As you said, some men want to show off that they have expensive bespoke suit with working buttons - would it impress me? Nope, certainly not, because in reality they have no advantage over those who have permanent stitched buttons. Nevertheless the quality, historical background and substantive aspect of your video is good as always !

[@kenneth7826]

Greetings!!!!! Yes a myth..surgeon's cuffs not a big deal..peace

[@FedeMOfficial]

I am very happy with the fit of RTW jackets, except of the sleeves, which are always too long (about 1.5-2“) for my arms. Thus I need to have the sleeves shortened, and working button holes make this nearly impossible.

[@robertkeville6230]

They just look more elegant, something that is definitely missing in today’s menswear.

[@badliar190]

Too true, too true

[@M16Ben]

I agree with your conclusion. I have a suit that is MTM by a bespoke tailor with surgeon cuffs on the jacket. It's a neat feature and I like the history of it, but overall it's not necessary. I simply added the detail because it is was my first experience getting a suit made just for me. If someone wants to save money on MTM or bespoke tailoring or is buying an OTR suit, skipping on the surgeon cuff is a valid choice.

[@MUF1000]

I personally hate working cuffs on RTW jackets since I always need to get the sleeves shortened. I stay clear of any RTW jackets from Charles Tyrwhitt since all of their cuffs are working cuffs. I love that they have different lengths in each jacket size, but I need a size 38R for best jacket length but for best sleeve length I need a 38S. If they just went for sham cuffs I could order a 38R and get the sleeves shortened for a fair price.

[@jameslloydcole8783]

My mum’s $80 Zara jacket has a surgeons cuff. It’s all BS. 😂

[@rsevp179]

Have we even considered, if they do not function, why do they have buttons? Purely decorative. When will we get jackets without the buttons altogether? Perhaps I'll start that trend.

[@user-un5xj1wl6p]

Well in serbia and (ex yugoslavia ig) we had the joke that soldiers and poliece men had buttons on the sleeve to discourage face wiping XD but the joke is for example croatian, yugoslavian and serbian military coats and shirts are barely buttoned on the arms...

[@sed6]

I'm going to guess you're not a fan of suit supply?

[@jchong416]

I hate the showy unbuttoning of surgeon cuffs. It doesn't say anything about the quality of the suit

[@johntan3405]

🤔🤨🤨😏😒🙄🙉

[@michaelm7841]

His definition and my definition of a joke are very different!!!

[@skjaldulfr]

Why is "magic" even on the table?

[@Marahute0]

I don't know, as they're neither. Even these days, not having them just means they're 'more likely' to be lower quality and vice versa, that's it

[@cristianbertone9296]

He is really scary

[@signjoey]

Brioni does it because they can...no utilitarian value at all JMO

[@williamcoolidge9884]

Why was my comment put on mute? I watch this channel consistently for 4 years, and when I decide to make a comment you put it on mute? It was in no way offensive or controversial. Since you love censorship I have other channels to spend my time and clicks on. Good day, sir! Unsubscribed.

[@watcherwlc53]

testy

[@Marahute0]

Oh no. Don't. However will this channel survive. Please. No. 🙄

[@firstlast-em2yq]

You should really retire the expression "old wives' tale" and instead use the word myth. Maybe you could introduce the expression "old husbands tale?"

[@waltersickinger1499]

“Old wives’ tales...” is hardly a politically correct term for the new millennium. Surprised that feminists’ hair has not caught fire over this term.