Exactly. And for a decorative motif, it seems very odd which is why I was trying to figure it out.
Coats were made that buttoned up to the chin. Those were sometimes worn open. Some designer decided that they liked the open look better than the buttoned one, and made a coat that echoed the style of the high-collared ones, but forced you to keep it unbuttoned all the time.
Seems pretty straightforward to me. Anytime you can’t figure out what something *does *on a piece of clothing, that probably means it’s there because someone thought it looked good.
Many high-end brands make sleeves with functioning button holes.
Are there any mystery buttons? Many high-end coats come with extra buttons sewn inside in inconspicuous places. I have a lot of coats that have an extra button inside near the lower hem, near the inside pocket, or inside the lapel.
Nope - I went and looked…
Yes, but you’re still not supposed to unbutton them.
Those are still buttons that are meant as extras to replace ones that fall off–not to sew on across from button holes that are purely aesthetic. If you put buttons across from those holes, ur doin it worng.