How to Use Button Hooks
Button hooks were necessary items in the days of high button boots that contained many buttons that needed to be secured with tiny tight loops. The button hook grabbed the loops, enabling the boot wearer to pull the loops over the shoe buttons one at a time. Button hooks can be plain and simply made, or very elaborate with jewels and gold. Today, shoe buttons and button hooks are collector's items and can be found in antique stores and flea markets. Decorative and rare button hooks fetch high dollars at auction and specialty shops.
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Instructions
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Shoes/Boots with Button Loops
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1
Place the high button boots onto your feet and position your foot at a comfortable position where you can easily reach the boots.
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2
Hold the button hook in your dominant hand while holding the button side of the shoe with your other hand. Hook the "hook" of the button hook into the bottom shoe button loop and pull it over toward the corresponding shoe button.
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3
Stretch the loop, with the button hook, over the button. Slip the loop around the button shank. Slip the button hook out of the loop and proceed to the next button, working your way to the top button at the top of the shoe/boot.
Shoes/Boots With Button Holes
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4
Hold the button hook in your dominant hand while holding the button hole side of the shoe with your other hand.
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5
Hook the "hook" of the button hook through the bottom hole in the shoe/boot, and with your hand pull the row of buttons toward the button hook.
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6
Hook the button hook around the shank of the button and pull the button up through the button hole. Release the button from the hook once the button is above the button hole.
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Tips & Warnings
Button hooks, which date back to 1611, still have many uses today. Any garment that has a button loop and button can be assisted by a button hook. Wedding dresses with many buttons up the back or front, or any garment with many tiny buttons, can be easier to handle with a button hook. Use the button hook on these garments the same way you would on a shoe/boot.
If you are a collector, beware of replica or reproduction button hooks being sold as authentic, antique button hooks. Most button hooks were manufactured from 1880 to the 1930s. The use of the button hook declined as shoe styles changed to simpler slip-on styles in the 1920s. Beware of any button hook that is obviously made after that for decorative purposes if you are seeking a valuable button hook for your collection.
