Before zippers, Velcro or stretchy fabrics existed, simply getting dressed could be a genuine chore. One clever solution was the button hook and shoe fastener, a small handheld tool that was widely used from the late 1800s through the early 20th century. Today it looks strange and mysterious, but in its time it solved a very real daily problem.
A Tool From A Bygone Era
The button hook was designed to fasten shoes, boots, gloves and other garments that closed with small, hard-to-grasp buttons. High-button boots and tightly fitted gloves were the height of fashion, and their tiny buttons were notoriously fiddly to fasten by hand. The button hook turned that struggle into a quick, simple motion, which made it an essential part of many households’ grooming kits.
How The Button Hook Worked
The design was elegantly simple and built to last. A typical button hook featured:
- A slim metal hook that slid through the buttonhole, caught the button and pulled it back through the fabric
- A comfortable grip, often made of red plastic, Bakelite, bone or wood, for control and leverage
- A compact, handheld shape that made it easy to carry and use anywhere
With one smooth pull, even the stiffest or smallest button could be fastened in seconds, sparing fingers a great deal of frustration.
