pushing my buttons

FOR ONCE i would just like to buy a coat and not have a button (or two) fall off within the first five wearings. is it me? do buttons fall off your coats, too?

i thought this new trench would be different. its from banana republic for crying out loud. the label reeks of class and sophisication and, i assume, quality craftmanship. i've been wearing the trench all weekend and started to notice the bottom button was a little looser than the others. but it seemed secure. i mean, it is connected to another, smaller button on the inside of the coat...that will keep it on right?

then, coming back from grabbing lunch just now i look down, and to my horror, the bottom button is gone. thankfully, the button fell off at my desk before i left, so i now have it, sitting fornlornly here, waiting for me to resew it. and i have to once again get out the sewing kit i bought last year to deal with the amazing black coat that couldn't seem to keep any of its buttons on. to this day, that coat is unwearable because one button too many is lost.

i'm tempted to bring this trench to a professional and have him/her made every button fastening sturdy. but that seems a bit unnecessary don't you think? before now, i don't think i've ever had buttons just spontaneously fall off my coats with such little provocation. i am appalled.