What clients say about Lou Lou Buttons in New York (NY)
BIPOC folks: Please heed the previous reviews - this is not a friendly, welcome, or safe place to shop.
One of the shop employees told me he would have to “wash the buttons” after I touched them. He also rushed me to get out of the shop, and hovered over me as I browsed. Another POC customer who was there with me at the same time received similar treatment.
I am someone who always tries to be gracious and charitable, and would like to believe perhaps the man was having a bad day or was feeling anxious, but it seems — after reading other reviews that echo my experience — that he has displayed a pattern of discriminatory behavior.
To be fair, the other shop employee was lovely and helpful. And the buttons themselves are beautiful — but the bigotry made this an ugly experience.
I prefer the British term haberdashery and to call the makers artisans. I'm not a designer but am a hound for personalizing my wardrobe and Lou Lou Buttons is a cornucopia of buttons that sated my obsessions. Roz (Raz?) was so helpful and a delight to converse with. I look forward to my return. Thanks for your kindness. The pins are beautiful.
One of my favorite places in the whole world… incredible buttons and even more incredible stories. Roz and Gary are absolute treasures. Much love to them!
I had a best experience with this store let me share you, I was working on my school project on unique things, confused and project finishing date is getting closer, and now lou lou buttons come into picture and made my work easy in minutes... there are multiple choices for u also unique models....
Lou Lou Buttons NYC is the best button store in the city! They have an amazing collection, reasonable prices, and excellent customer service. The staff is super helpful and friendly—highly recommend for anyone looking for quality buttons
I'm absolutely delighted with the Button Shop! The variety of buttons they offer is impressive, and the staff is super helpful. I found exactly what I needed for my project, and the prices were very reasonable. The shop's organized layout made it easy to browse and find inspiration. Highly recommend for crafty folks and DIY enthusiasts alike! ???
What I love about Lou Lou is how personal the service feels. They doesn’t just fix or alter clothes – they makes sure they suit your style. I brought in an older sweater, and with his suggestions, it looks like a whole new piece. They are creative, professional, and genuinely cares about his customers. I’ll absolutely keep coming back.
PSA: Be Cautious Shopping at Lou Lou Buttons in NYC
Last year, my daughter and I stumbled upon a shop in NYC called Lou Lou Buttons. We met a man named Ross who captivated us with tales of handmade buttons and accessories, claiming he’d done work for Beyoncé, Madonna, and Chanel. He told us he was sometimes allowed to keep overproduced items, which he’d then repurpose into brooches, pens, and hairpieces.
It was charming, and I genuinely believed him. We bought a few pieces last year and made it a point to return this year, he was literally our first stop.
This time, though, something felt off. He showed us “rare” bumblebee pens supposedly made with 18k gold and “scarab” hairpins cast from antique French glass. The pricing was steep ($25 to $65 per item) but the storytelling was persuasive.
Out of curiosity, I ran a quick Google Lens search after I got back to the hotel. Sure enough, the exact same items are on Amazon—$65 brooch? $15. $35 brooch? $8.
So, just a heads-up: if you’re enchanted by the tales and don’t mind paying boutique prices for mass-produced Amazon accessories, by all means go for it. But if you’re looking for true artisan work, I’d recommend verifying what you’re buying. Google Lens is your friend.
Not trying to tear anyone down—just wishing I’d known before I dropped a small fortune on what turned out to be pot metal costume jewelry.
Plenty of button shops in the area — skip this one.
I had one of the most rude and humiliating experiences here earlier today. I came in looking for a specific type of button and asked the owner for help. He brought out a few options that were close but not quite right, and said that’s all they had. On my way to pay, I spotted the exact buttons I’d been looking for and asked if I could switch.
Instead of simply swapping them, he told me not to touch anything else until I returned his buttons to their original location — mind you he was the one that grabbed them for me and his buttons were all so disorganized anyway. I agreed and started looking for where they might’ve come from. As I did, he began belittling me, saying I “needed to be decisive” and refused to help me return them.
Trying to move things along, I asked him where to put them back. That’s when he snapped, told me not to touch anything else in the store, and said I should just leave. The store was completely empty — I wasn’t being disruptive, just trying to buy buttons and be respectful.
Needless to say, I left and found the exact buttons I needed at a nearby shop — without the hostility. Buyers beware
The man at the store helped me find a replacement for my jeans tack button which fell off my jean skirt! Instead of getting another tack button, he suggested & showed me how to use a regular button + pair it with a small clear one as a backing. Great experience here, & $3 for my buttons! Will be back to try more adventurous designs ?
Went In not knowing exactly what I was looking for, Had lots of help and assistance with ideas, I recommend to at least go in and look around if U need/want unique buttons
I had a cardigan that was missing two buttons, eager to find replacements i went to lou lou. I found the buttons that matched but i also found some that i fell in love with. I decided to replace all the buttons to make my cardigan truly unique. Roz was extremely helpful and very kind. He replaced and sewed all the buttons for me right there while i waited in the store. Great service overall, I plan on returning in the future!
If zero stars was an option, that would be my rating. Was so excited to make the trip to Lou Lou Buttons--given the shop's exciting and positive reputation and wonderful online selections, I was eager to become a customer. One of the owner's (Gary) was incredibly rude. His attitude was immediately apparent from the moment he opened his mouth, and upon asking a question regarding the button varieties, his response was nothing short of snarky and condescending and he made no effort to help. It was very sad and we left feeling dejected and let down. If you're having a good day, I recommend checking out the shop another time (or, ideally, not at all).
I walked in and before I could even really look at any thing or ask any question the shop clerk started acting like I was going to take something. Started questioning me so I left immediately. I’m a designer who was visiting NYC for a few days for work. Kept wanting to find time to pop in since I was staying at the Archer Hotel a few doors down. Finally had time to pop in since they usually were closed by the time I finished work for the day…. And boom, big fat disappointment. I should have been acknowledged and treated better upon walking into the store. People can be so cruel for no reason.
Yes! This guy is the best. Super helpful, knows everything you could want to know about buttons and then some. He always is quick to help find the perfect button for whatever project I’m working on - major time saver.
Terrible, NASTY, and RUDE customer service. Over priced product. Went to pickup a couple extra buttons for my boss and the man immediately gave me attitude, teased me and sarcastically asked “well aren’t you going to help” when I asked him to help me find a button. After I picked which pieces I wanted (as some were dirty/discolored) he chastised me and tossed a bag on the counter and walked away. I put the pieces in the baggie myself and went to pay. When I left he handed me a card and said “give this to someone more intelligent, not… normal”. I have NEVER experienced anyone so insulting, rude, and unwilling to help. I am in the garment district shopping almost everyday and will never go to this small, overpriced store ever again. The fact he was so comfortable insulting me, to my face, while I was making a purchase is beyond me. You can get much higher quality buttons and trim for a lower price at many other places in the garment district. Don’t waste your time here.
I love Lou Lou Buttons! They have an impressive button collection and their staff is helpful and have an incredible eye for style -- always providing excellent guidance on which buttons would work and look best for my needs.
Now I'm always on the lookout for opportunities to replace buttons or even happy to lose a button, just so I can visit Lou Lou Buttons and give my clothes an upgrade.
Incredible store, with very knowledge staff who help me get the exact right buttons for all my projects. I know they work with large high end brands, but they still take the time to help hobbyists like me who come in to get 6-8 buttons for a specific project. Highly recommend!
Huge selection of high quality, unique and beautiful buttons. Found what I needed and a lot of extras. Ask him about the Gucci bees for a good laugh...also do yourself a favor and get some, they're gorgeous.
I LOVED this store!!! My heart was so happy to be in this store that I went back the second day!!! Bought 3 handmade brooches from this store as souvenirs, they were beautiful! The 2 gentlemen working there were very friendly and helpful! I will most definitely be back!
Roz from Lu Lu Buttons was a life savior for helping me look amazing for a gala. I purchased a sequin jacket from Amazon, and the buttons on the jacket were not elevated. I walked into Lu Lu Buttons, where a friendly welcome greeted me. I asked Roz his opinion on what would jazz up the jacket. He was patient and showed me different options. Roz showed me beautiful buttons, and I learned he actually made them himself. Roz has a rich history, and I was flattered when he shared that I remind him of Donna Summers—the Black Queen of Disco. Since I needed the buttons done on the jacket, I asked Roz if he could put them on for me. He did a fantastic job and made the blazer look like a custom expensive jacket.
I look forward to returning and highly recommend Lu Lu Buttons.
This place is fantastic and a must see in New York.
Roz and Gary are amazing. They are treasures in the fashion industry and classic, old school NYC experts in their niche. I never miss visiting when I’m in The City. Not even to necessarily buy buttons but just to check the pulse of the city.
Was racially discriminated against( I am a black woman) and kicked me out for simply taking a photo. He then said you people are manics and asked me to leave and locked the door. He then opened the door for other customers and waved at me. The nerve! Said foul things about my family that I don’t know. Unacceptable! I hope he’s not the owner!
worth it simply to admire the many designs, it’s basically a button museum! and i loved learning from the friendly owner which brands and designs certain buttons were made for. an nyc gem.
Great store when you need to find the exact right button. Either if your upgrading your buttons or you lost one and want to find the right match. The buttons are all good quality, no cheap plastic buttons and the staff/owners are super friendly and very knowledgeable. Whether your are buying a bunch of buttons are just one, you will be treated very well and valued as a customer.
This is be only button place you'll ever need to know about. Roz, the owner WILL find you the perfect button or he'll dye it to suit your needs. The quality here is unparalleled and I leave with more great ideas than I came in with.
I do a lot of freelance work in the garment district and I'm always telling people to just go here. Please save yourselves the headache of going to every place in the GD. Lou Lou is the one stop button shop.
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