an antique device that not everyone can recognize today.
Forgotten Tool: A Look Back at an Antique Button and Shoe Fastener
In the days before zippers, Velcro, and the convenience of elastic bands, clothes were often fastened with complex tools and meticulous craftsmanship. One such artifact from a bygone era is the item pictured here—a vintage button hook and shoe fastener, commonly used in the early and mid-20th century.
What is this?
At first glance, this item might seem like a toy or a mysterious gadget. In reality, it’s a shoe hook used to fasten shoes, especially those with small, difficult-to-grasp buttons. Commonly used in everyday life at the turn of the 20th century, this accessory made dressing much easier, especially when wearing tight, buttoned shoes or gloves.
The red plastic part serves as a handle, while the metal hook mechanism is designed to slide through buttonholes, grab a button, and pull it through—a practical solution before elastic or slip-on options became widely available.
Design and functionality
