I Just Learned Why Coats Have Shoulder Buttons, And They're More Useful Than I Knew

An epaulette on the writer's coatYou might already know that the buttons on suit sleeves have a surprisingly medical past ― once referred to as “surgeon’s cuffs,” they’ve been decorative for more of their history than they’ve been useful.Oh, and you know those teeny-tiny pockets at the front of your jeans? I’m embarrassed to admit I grew up thinking they were for condoms ― they were, in fact, designed for pocket watches. But what about those beautiful-but-useless flaps and fasteners on the shoulders of my trench coat? Well, it seems those have a military (and naval) history, as well as modern-day application, that I had no idea about.Why do coats have buttons on their shoulders? The additions, called epaulettes, “seem to have started out as cloth straps worn on the shoulders to help keep shoulder sashes and belts in position,” the Naval History and Heritage Command site reads. Another theory is that they were added earlier on as a form of armour to protect soldiers’ shoulders. They do resemble the much older pteruges seen in Ancient Roman and Greek military wear, too, but the modern epaulettes appear to come from a later design. Per the Kent Delord House Museum’s site, “The origin of our modern epaulettes starts in the 17th Century. Military coats were decorated with bunches of ribbons, worn on the shoulders.“These ribbons were partially decorative but also helped to prevent shoulder straps from slipping.” Letters, markings, badges, and even epaulette designs have historically revealed a great deal about one’s rank in the army or navy. So... why are epaulettes on modern coats?It could just be a design callback, like buttons on sleeves.But some, like X user Francheska Horsburgh, have found a new, still-useful job for the straps. “Taken me 18 years to find out that the weird shoulder buttons on jackets [are] to hold your bag in place so it doesn’t fall off,” she posted in 2018. That is surprisingly close to their original “shoulder strap” use, so I’ll definitely be using the tip...Taken me 18 years to find out that the weird shoulder buttons on jackets is to hold your bag in place so it doesn’t fall off🤯who knew pic.twitter.com/IMLqAb0K3s— Francheskahorsburgh (@Francheskahor6) October 29, 2018Related...I Just Learned Why Suit Jackets Have Sleeve Buttons, And I Had No IdeaI Just Learned Why Jeans Have That Tiny Pocket, And It's Not Why I ThoughtSo THAT's Why You're Meant To Wash Jeans Inside Out

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