Vegan buttons are an easy detail to overlook. A brand carefully chooses fabric, thread and labels, then sews on a horn or mother-of-pearl button without a second thought. For a customer buying vegan clothing that matters: the whole garment should be free of animal-derived materials. The good news is that most modern buttons are vegan by default. You just need to know the exceptions. Below you'll find a clear list, the most common myths unpacked, and practical advice for brands that want to certify a collection.
Buttons that are NOT vegan
- Horn: from the horns of cattle, buffalo and other animals. A classic on coats and suits.
- Bone: a historical material, rare today but still found on vintage and luxury pieces.
- Mother of pearl (shell): the inner layer of mollusc shells. Animal-derived, even when it's a by-product.
- Leather: including woven leather football buttons, a staple on knitwear and tweed jackets.
- Casein (galalith): a plastic made from milk protein. It looks like any other plastic, which makes it the sneakiest one.
- Buttons covered in real silk or wool: the textile on top is animal-derived.
2-hole coconut buttons for clothing
Dark grey corozo buttons CB5001 with 4 holes
Wooden buttons PB9005Buttons that ARE vegan
- Corozo: from the tagua palm nut. Known as vegetable ivory, it's the classic alternative to horn and shell.
- Coconut: made from coconut shell.
- Wood and bamboo.
- Polyester and urea: synthetic resins.
- Metal: brass, zinc alloy, steel, aluminium.
- Imitation horn: polyester buttons patterned to look like horn.
| If you want the look of... | Vegan alternative | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| Horn on a coat | Coconut 25 to 34 mm, or polyester with horn pattern | Coconut buttons |
| Shell on a shirt | White or beige corozo, pearl-effect polyester | Corozo buttons |
| Woven leather button | Textured wooden or coconut button | Wooden buttons |
| Bone on a vintage piece | Matte corozo in light tones | Corozo buttons |
Myths and facts
Myth: "natural" means "vegan"
Fact: shell, horn and bone are entirely natural materials, but they come from animals. For a vegan collection, look for plant-based natural materials: corozo, coconut, wood.
Myth: "a plastic button is always vegan"
Fact: casein buttons (galalith) are a plastic made from milk protein. They're uncommon in mass-market products but do turn up in vintage stock and with some craft makers. Ask your supplier for the exact material.
Myth: "shell is a by-product, so it's fine"
Fact: most vegan standards don't permit animal by-products either. If a collection is labelled vegan, shell is out.
Myth: "vegan buttons are weaker"
Fact: corozo is hard enough to have served as an ivory substitute for well over a century, and metal and polyester buttons are among the toughest you can buy.
Vegan certification for brands
If you want to label a garment vegan officially, the most recognised mark in fashion is PETA-Approved Vegan, used by nearly 1,000 companies. Typically the brand signs a statement that its products contain no animal-derived materials. That means documenting every component: fabric, lining, thread, adhesives in labels and, of course, buttons. Practical steps:
- Draw up a full bill of materials for each style.
- For every button, record the exact material, such as "corozo" or "coconut", not just "natural button".
- Get written confirmation of the material from your supplier.
- Check the hidden parts too: covered shank buttons, inside spare buttons, labels with leather patches.
- Keep the paperwork with the style's tech pack.
Tip: the spare button sewn to the care label counts too. Brands often switch the main buttons and forget the spares.
Choosing a vegan button by garment
Going vegan doesn't mean compromising on looks. Here are practical pairings by garment type:
- White shirt. Instead of shell, white or beige corozo at 10 to 11 mm with four holes. The matte surface looks calm and refined, and corozo handles washing and ironing well.
- Coat and blazer. Instead of horn, coconut at 25 to 34 mm or dark corozo. Coconut's natural grain comes remarkably close to horn.
- Cardigan and knitwear. Instead of woven leather buttons, wooden buttons at 18 to 22 mm. They're light and won't drag the knit down.
- Jeans and workwear. Nickel-free metal buttons and rivets, the toughest vegan option there is.
- Kidswear. Wood, coconut or polyester: light, smooth-edged and not brittle.
Pair the button with the right thread too: polyester sewing thread is vegan, silk thread isn't. The same logic applies to every single component.
A note on our range
Bul-tex also stocks genuine mother-of-pearl shell buttons: beautiful, but not vegan. If your collection is vegan, filter by material and stick to corozo, coconut, wood, polyester and metal buttons. If you're unsure about a specific model, just ask us.
FAQ
Is corozo vegan?
Yes. Corozo is an entirely plant-based material from the tagua palm nut.
What about lacquer and dye on buttons?
Most modern lacquers and dyes are synthetic. If you're certifying a collection, ask the supplier to confirm for the specific model.
Can a "horn" button be vegan?
Only if it's an imitation in polyester or another resin. Real horn is not vegan.
How can I tell real shell from an imitation?
Genuine mother of pearl feels cool to the touch, has a deep iridescent lustre that shifts as you tilt it, and is usually heavier than a plastic imitation of the same size. Imitations tend to have a flatter, uniform sheen and a warmer, plasticky surface. When in doubt, the safest route is asking your supplier for a specification.
Are urea buttons vegan?
Yes. Urea is a synthetic resin used for shirt and suit buttons and contains no animal ingredients.
Bul-tex manufactures and supplies buttons for brands and takes custom orders, including logo buttons in corozo, coconut and wood. Get in touch via the contact page.
