BUCKTOWN — If you plan to celebrate National Button Day Saturday, you might want to head to Soutache at 2130 N. Damen Ave. in Bucktown.
Since the closure of Tender Buttons in the Gold Coast five years ago, owner Maili Powell believes her store offers the largest selection of buttons anywhere in Chicago.
Some fans describe the store as "a magical place;" it sells buttons, ribbons, bows, feathers and other accessories, but "is not a craft store," owner Maili Powell said.
She said buttons can make or break an outfit or coat.
"Most coats have cheap buttons. Goods buttons are more expensive" she said.
The buttons range in price from $1 to $22 each and will be 20 percent off on Saturday and Sunday, excluding special orders, Powell said.
For those looking to dress up their winter coats or scarves with new buttons or re-purpose a sweater or shirt, Soutache offers hundreds of modern and vintage buttons made of several types of materials including plastic, bone, wood, twig, metal and even coconut.
While Powell wouldn't divulge a personal favorite, she did say horn buttons are popular on knit sweaters for men this year and vintage buttons are making a resurgence, too.
A French word for a type of braid used to embellish clothing, Soutache, which opened eight years ago, "is all about embellishment," according to its website.
"We enjoy the challenge of finding the perfect buttons for a favorite cardigan or the prefect color of satin for invitations or a wedding sash," the site says.
While detailed information on the "holiday" is hard to find, the website 36TEE5 said National Button Day is not to be confused with National Button Week in March or Count Your Buttons Day which just passed on Oct. 21.
Button collecting as an organized hobby has been recognized since 1938, when the National Button Society was founded.
Powell said this is the first year she is celebrating National Button Day and thought it would be a good way to also celebrate her relatively new quarters, too. About six months ago, Soutache relocated to 2130 N. Damen from a different storefront across the street.
Soutache, 2130 N. Damen Ave. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Ph: 773-292-9110.
