Aversion to buttons

Has anyone encountered this problem and do you have any solutions or ways to lessen the annoyance caused by buttons?



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Feb 25, 2024
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starstarstarstarstar 		People who don't like SNAPS are so fun!!!
by: Anonymous

I have a girlfriend that hates the "S" word (SNAPS) all caps. I think she is sweet, smart and fun in her snapless world!!!
Aug 06, 2022
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starstarstarstarstar 		Ditto!!
by: TJW

I’m with you guys! I’m 60 now but have absolutely hated to touch snaps and zippers since childhood. My parents once theorized that I might have touched a garment that had just come out of the dryer, and had been slightly burned by touching a snap. Doubtful. I think a more plausible theory may involve the fact that whenever I touch anything made of brass or silver (or certain other metals), I invariably have to wash my hands afterward because my fingers absolutely reek! (This is a well-documented phenomenon.) Anyway, thanks for posting, guys! It’s very nice to know I’m not alone on this.
Jun 14, 2021
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starstarstarstarstar 		Snaps and Zippers! Ugh!!
by: Anonymous

I've had an inexplicable aversion to snaps and zippers since early childhood, and continuing to this day (I'm 60). No idea why. Family thought it was odd but offered no cure or explanation. I was beginning to wonder if some overzealous babysitter had painfully slapped my hands whenever she saw them dangerously close to -- my zipper! LOL. Early Aversion Therapy, maybe? I looked this subject up online, not expecting to find anything, but lo and behold... :)
May 18, 2019
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starstarstarstarstar 		Buttons....aagh
by: Anonymous

And there was me thinking I'm alone in the world with my aversion. My limit is the one on a pair of Jeans. I have never understood why but have hated them all my life..even on the clothing of others.
Mar 26, 2019
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starstarstarstarstar 		Not the only one
by: Ian

Yes I have this hate too. I don't mind tiny buttons on a shirt at all, but big buttons annoy the heck out of me. For my job I have to wear a suit and I never felt so uncomfortable for such a long time, seeing and feeling the big button on the back pockets or unbuttoning the front on seem. At Popular shopping stores 98% of their suit trousers are button less. I literally stocked up. its great you should see me, it has really made a big difference to me. No buttons and I don't need to wear belt much because there's no button at front just a clip hook (I wear belts on jeans and chinos just to hide the button).

I think buttons are a disaster fashion idea.
Mar 04, 2018
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starstarstarstarstar 		I thought I was the only one!
by: Anonymous

I am 41 and have had lifelong aversion to buttons and snaps. I HATE them. The only tolerable button to me is on my jeans. For some reason, buttons and snaps gross me out and I just hate to touch them.

Like someone else said, if a button comes off a pair of pants, I can't stand touching it to pick it up, let alone even think about sewing it back on myself.

I've always thought I was a total weirdo about this but I am glad to see I am not the only one!
Jan 24, 2018
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starstarstarstarstar 		Yea
by: Anonymous

I dont fear them but from age 5 on they kinda Well REALLY"grossed" me out or (something.)
Dec 25, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		Creepy buttons
by: Marbuh

Oh, to know I am not alone with my aversion to buttons. I hate the feel and look of them and even hate saying the word. I have no idea as to the reason for this lifelong aversion yet I can cope with the one on a pair of jeans. Other than that, they totally freak me out. Hearing there are others out there like me really lightens my embarrassing load.
Dec 20, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		OMG!
by: Anonymous

Ohmygoodness! My kids think I'm weird because I can't stand to see buttons much less touch them!! I cringe just at the thought of them. I rarely wear anything with buttons and I won't help anyone button anything. And loose ones are the worst! It makes me want to spit.

I can't stand to see jars of them or things decorated with them. NO! I hate saying the word and it's actually hard for me now just to spell it. But I sure am glad it's not only me......that means I'm not weird after all!
Nov 19, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		I have it, too!
by: Andrew Zucker

I’m so happy to read these posts. I found my people! I’d like to add that if a button falls off a garment, my first instinct is I have to throw it out.

Also, that little packet with those extra buttons that comes with a suit drive me nuts. I have to immediately remove it. Cheers everyone.
Jan 28, 2017
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starstarstarstarstar 		My experience with buttons
by: David Betts

I'm 64 years old. Ever since I can remember, I've hated buttons. The funny thing is, I'm fine if they're properly sewn on. I have no worries about wearing clothes with them on. I get very uncomfortable though if they become loose, or if I see another person with a loose one on. I also hate broken ones.

I cannot stand seeing them lying around somewhere in a house, and I hate seeing jars of them. I hate touching them. I'm embarrassed about it!.

Email address is
davidhbetts@hotmail.com
Nov 25, 2016
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starstarstarstarstar 		Buttons
by: Anonymous

Hi all, ny 4 year old autistic son hates buttons. I don't force him to wear them but just recently he has started having meltdowns when other people wear them. Our family tries to accomodate him by wearing t-shirts without buttons and will change out of button shirts but the world will not change for him. Any advice on how to tackle this major issue. Thanks
Oct 23, 2016
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starstarstarstarstar 		Im All Good without B***** forever!!!!
by: ENX

First off I dont think there is any need to change what so ever!! .

I have had this my whole life, yes it was an issue when i was younger because my mom didnt understand and it was hard to find winter jackets without "buttons" (i hate even typing the word) I would have tantrums and just freaked out with clothes that I was made to wear with them. When I started to get older, and basically now my whole life I dont wear them AT ALL! Not one thing ever has them that I own. Except the only loop hole that exists, the one at the top of jeans somehow gets by, but of course never seen! No tucking in shirts! lame.

Ironically I have noticed the most Haute couture clothing doesnt have bu**ons. Most very expensive clothing does not either. Im an artist & I also have ASMR. I very sensitive to fabrics & sounds. So I am always looking at fabrics and patterns, ect,

I grew up in the 70's which was harder to have choice in clothing unlike today. Im totally good without wearing them and I love to see people when they have none on there clothing. I def feel less stressed. If you have a small child just go with it. Visually Bu**ons are super disruptive and distracting. It literally ruins clothing when someone has any on there clothes and I end up feeling totally sorry for them!! LOL They look ridiculous I always think. How sad.

I have no stress or feel bad in any way about living without them and you shouldn't either if anyone is telling you different!!
F them

Now for the part some off you might think weird,odd ,ect.

If I had to guess about this, I believe I had content and fulfilled lifetimes in societies where there were no buttons Tibet, India, Japan, most places in the past, in the east never ever used them on their clothing. Very cool! I am found I am more at home in these places, and have always loved these countries and have lived in them. I do believe for me its linked to past life, a happier time.

I think I had lives that were also miserable and these where linked to places where there were buttons on the clothing,, hence victorian times, ect. For me its something I just have always known since I can remember. I feel best in wrap or plain clothing, kimono, sari, ect. I love to hang out with other people that dont have them on their clothes too.

Very Nice to finally find other people here who hate B****** as much as I do, I even hate saying the wording or seeing it, UGH!
Apr 03, 2016
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starstarstarstarstar 		Box of buttons
by: Lois C

I too have an aversion to buttons. I don't like touching them and while I could button a blouse, if a button falls off, I won't touch it.

As a kid my grandma had a button box and we kids would play with it. (Why I don't know...must have been easy to entertain) However, I don't know exactly what happened to cause this. All I know is that I would rather DIE than to put my hands in that old button box.
Mar 13, 2016
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starstarstarstarstar 		Me Too
by: Anonymous

Hi,

I'm 46 year old male. I've had a a major aversion to buttons (and snaps) as long as I can remember. There was a dress code at the school i went to, but i would always run home and get out of my clothes as soon as possible. I am fortunate enough that I'm good enough at my job where I can get the offices I work at to accommodate my issue. As a compromise, I wear buttonless, short sleeve collared shirts. Does anyone here know where the best place to buy these from (or the best way to search the internet for them)? I buy dozens of them, but there's been a drought of them for the last several years, and the ones I have are starting to show significant wear.
Jan 15, 2016
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starstarstarstarstar 		Born with it
by: EE

I have hated buttons for as long as I can remember. I also have other quirks that I haven't grown out of like eating vegetables. I hate it when people use buttons in craft. There is a button collage at work and I avoid looking at it when I walk pass. I also have a stack of unused duvet covers because they have buttons...
Oct 31, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		Aversion to buttons and shorts
by: Anonymous

My daughter (almost 6) has terrible anxiety every time mentioning wearing shorts comes up. It used to be the same with buttons, although that is getting better. For my daughter, I really believe that it is not so much the buttons that she fears, but the feeling of being anxious.

Although I am not a psychologist, I have finished my undergraduate degree in psychology, and I work with children. I have found that getting her involved in the process of overcoming her fears has really helped. I have helped her to understand what anxiety is and what it does to the body (google it, very interesting). While she is calm (not in the middle of the anxiety) we have worked on ways to expose her gradually to the fear (eg buttons), so she owns the process.

For example, she has decided that next week she will have a go at wearing shorts that have no buttons, and that on her 6th birthday, she will try on a pair on with buttons. I would suggest you research about anxiety. Sometimes an anxiety attack can manifest like a tantrum in young children. The key is not to try to reason with them in this state (it is physically impossible to reason with someone when they are in a heightened emotional state). The key is not to scold the child, and never tell them to 'snap out of it'- this will just frustrate them even more (and disempower them). Get them to feel empowered that they are the 'boss of their body' and they are able to overcome their anxiety. Eg deep breaths, relaxing body etc.

My daughter now understands that it is not the object (i.e. shorts, button, whatever) that is causing her the bad feeling, but that it is the anxiety that her mind and body do not like, and that she has the agency to reduce this anxiety. It's worth looking into this area (of managing anxiety and exposure therapy) and seeking the help of a child psychologist if you think this aversion behaviour is a pattern within your child. For my daughter, we have overcome several 'fears' successfully (wouldn't wear hair in a ponytail, wouldn't wear shoes, wouldn't wear buttons etc.). They all follow the same pattern/connection with anxiety. For some of you, perhaps your child is similar, and these methods may work for you too. All the best!
Sep 16, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		Aversion to buttons
by: Anonymous

At 63 years of age still hate them. ICan make me feel physically ill. Am now retired with college degree, happily married for over forty years and otherwise "normal". Have been this way since early childhood and have never known why I am so affected, but have managed to live with it. Have tried to "get over it", but still feel that they are somehow dirty, germ carriers. Noticed that the medical profession now wears scrubs that have no fasteners except for a draw string on pants, and claim they are more sanitary. I agree! I really dislike how designers think everyone loves them because they insist on putting them e wry where! Yuck! If your child is having this reaction please do not try to force them to accept them, work with them on finding items that are acceptable to them.
Nov 12, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		My 14 year old gets angry from buttons
by: Anonymous

My 14 year old refuses to wear clothing with buttons, he doesn't even want us to say the word. Tonight he had to wear a white button down shirt and a tie for a band concert. He cried and got really angry at us for making him wear the shirt.

I am at a point where I don't know what to do to help him through these times. Is there a way for him to over come this?

For anyone who is affected by this, why is it that you don't want to wear clothing with buttons? Does it feel funny? I just want to understand better so I can help support him.

Thanks for any advice!
Feb 15, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		41 year old who still hates buttons
by: Anonymous

I'm a 41 year old mother of 4. I have a college degree in elementary education and have been married to a physician for 18 years. I also hate buttons and have sensory issues. I have since I was little. My mom tried everything to "fix" this and nothing worked. I have obviously been able to be successful and this didn't hinder my life. It has become a running joke in my family and the kids even tease me about it :)

I can tell you that, at least for me, snaps are better than plastic buttons, metal rivets (like on jeans) are also better than plastic buttons. I don't mind the metal slide hook you can find on some pants. You might be able to replace regular buttons with some of these other options. Obviously, if you child has to wear a button up shirt this doesn't help. I can tell you that I can as an adult I can wear clothing with buttons if I have to, but I still don't like it. My mom joked I would get married in a zip up wedding dress. It helps if I don't have to see the buttons and big buttons are worse than small ones. If I have to wear a shirt with buttons, I will wear a soft t-shirt under it and that helps some.

My advice is:
1. Don't try to fix it. Accept it. Make it light-hearted if possible.
2. Accommodate when you can and give options if possible.
3. The older your child gets the more they will be able to compensate, and adapt.
4. Know that it might not every go away, but you can live a happy ,fulfilling life even if you hate buttons!

I hope this helps some....good luck!
Feb 09, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		buttons
by: mj

my son - now six - wouldn't wear buttons from 2.5 y/old till starting kindergarten. he also only wore sweat pants - no zippers or hard cotton fabric -

i enrolled him in private kindergarten which required a uniform with buttons. we talked about it all spring and summer prior to starting kindergarten - he was able to wear the uniform - khaki pants, buttons and all.

we made a big deal out of the uniform when it arrived - trying it on - showing his grandparents etc... ultimately i think a little more maturity and the excitement of kindergarten overrode the button issue - and the fact that all the other kids were wearing the same thing allowed him to accept it ongoing?

he doesnt wear them outside of the uniform - i am relaxing on this issue - i think as he continues to mature this issue will eventually go away.

hope that helps?

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