You will have jeans in dozens of styles such as skinny, straight leg, high rise, low rise, loose, relaxed, etc. However, all of them have a denim construction. And though they all feature the same material, they vary in the fly. Jeans either come with a button fly or zipper fly.
It has been debatable in customers’ psyche what to choose between a zipper and a button. Often they get confused and seek betterment. Therefore, we have had clean research to present something better before you.
Stay tuned!
A Fly History
We thought it would also help if you knew the fly history. The denim puritans prefer the button most. In recent years, it has been popular as it gives a classic vintage look. Most importantly, it matches denim’s original pair of 501s. Do you know when it was made for the first time? It was May 20, 1873!
The idea of zipper fly came into being 20 years later. The name ”Zipper” originated from the sound “zip” which occurs while closing.
In 1891, Judson developed the “Clasp Locker Or Unlocker” for button-up boots. Later on, in 1912, Otto Frederick Gideon Sundback, a Swedish-born engineer, came up with his “Hookless Hooker”. It introduced us to teeth design and permanently changed the fastening style.
Then in 1947, Levi’s tried to appeal the female customers by adding a zipper fly to their jeans. Interestingly, we saw a different picture due to a cultural difference. While the western working-class women embraced men’s button fly, the East Coaster women regarded this as a lack of modesty!
Okay, here we will present the most significant merits and demerits of both- zipper fly and button fly. Grab them downright!
Button Fly vs Zipper Fly – What’s the Difference?
One may regard this issue as trivial, but the reality is – the type of fly affects the performance of a jeans pair! Anyways, now it’s time to move toward the differences.
1. Outline
In denim jeans, a button type of fly is the most common fly. A number of world-leading jeans brands have been featuring this for over a century. You will see a column of multiple buttons in every denim piece. The number of buttons may range from three to six generally.
On the other, the zipper fly is more modern than the button fly. Anyhow almost all of us are familiar with zippers from afore. Along with a clasping mechanism, a zipper fly comprises a row of teeth. It lets you fasten and unfasten your jeans around and from your waistline comfortably. Such a fly also features a single button at the top.
2. Ease of Use
As far as easiness is concerned, most probably like many others, you will also vote for a zipper fly instead of a button fly. Here you do not have to fight with buttons. The fact is- often we face a problem while fastening or unfastening buttons.
On the contrary, you can easily pull up or down your zipper fly. Not like jeans with buttons are hard to use. To be more exact, zippers are better in terms of simplicity. And that is the reason, irrespective of gender all jeans lovers prefer a zipper fly to a button fly.
3. Durability
You will have high-quality buttons in almost all the top jeans brands. And these outperform zippers generally. Yeah, it’s also true that zippers get stuck while getting up or down, and this is indeed an embarrassing situation! Many users become impatient and damage the zippers.
However, you are free from this issue if you use button fly jeans. Sewers sew this in a way that it does not get stuck. Also, a button fly does not fall off unless you put excessive pressure.
4. Time
A zippers fly will take lesser time than its counterpart to put on and take off your jeans. So in a hurry like a busy office or school time, you will find the button fly less supportive.
5. Aesthetics
To be honest, the sense of aesthetics varies from person to person. Nevertheless, we must count the number. Thousands of people prefer the button fly for classic jeans looks. It gives a timeless visual element to a pair of jeans that a typical zipper fails to provide. So in places where you need a higher level of aesthetics with your denim, you may prioritize a button fly.
6. Price
Interestingly, the fly type does not affect the jean’s cost. However, the quality of a fly type matters! The cost of a jeans pair depends on this.
7. Firmness
Jeans with a button fly have increased stability than those with a zipper fly. Allow us to explain.
Even if one of the buttons gets out of function, the other ones will protect you. However, once a zipper is in trouble, there is no way out except altering immediately! Therefore you will have a button fly more reliable than a zipper fly.
Merits and Demerits of Button Fly and Zipper Fly
Various advantages and disadvantages are shown below –
Button Fly: Merits
- It’s a fantastic means of making a fashion statement.
- Chances are very few that they will unfasten suddenly.
Button Fly: Demerits
- The more you use it, the more this fly tends to swell.
- It has a tendency to fall off the rows as well.
- They are not flexibly fastenable and unfastenable.
Zipper Fly: Merits
- This fly is versatile.
- You can hide this fly easily.
- The easiest application.
- Stronger than the button fly.
Zipper Fly: Demerits
- It may fail to fasten all of a sudden!
- Over or below the fly, it may get caught on your denim abruptly.
On Replacement
Now let’s assume that you are in a dilemma, a bit confused about what to choose- button fly or zipper! Or, let’s imagine that you have changed your mind after this discussion. Perhaps you already have a pair of button-fly jeans, and you want to replace them with a zipper fly. Then would you do that?
Here we show a detailed tutorial to ease your replacement journey. Please have a look!
Link Source: Downtown Tailoring
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
What zip fly means?
Answer: Allow us to tell you briefly the meaning of the term “Fly” first. It means the gap at the front of the lower part garment. It may be shorts, trousers, or underwear. And the fly featuring a zip closure on the gap is called a zip fly.
Is button fly better than zip fly?
Answer: Those who prefer fashion statements in their denim embrace a button. And those who want a solid and more secure solution tend to have zippers.
Are zippers cheaper than buttons?
Answer: Not like that. Here the quality of the jeans becomes a factor.
What is the advantage of button-fly jeans?
Answer: These are more aesthetic than zipper fly jeans.
Why do people like Button flies?
Answer: Before the invention of the zipper, the button type fly was the only way for people. Even after the groundbreaking invasion of the zipper, still, it rocks. Those who are denim purists prioritize this. And apart from them, the rest emphasize look.
Are all 501 buttons fly?
Answer: The 501 jeans are exclusive for comprising classic button fly. Therefore, you will not find any zip fly on them. Instead, you will be excited to see a standard zip fly with button closure on all the 501 jeans!
Why do jeans have buttons instead of zippers?
Answer: As we mentioned in the post, button fly was the only resort for jeans manufacturers from 1873 to 1947. Afterward, the invention of zippers rocked the industry. Then again, jeans with button flies got back on the stage and have been dominating the world market for the last two decades.
Why do zippers exist?
Answer: You should know that people used zippers mainly for two reasons in the early years: in order to close tobacco pouches and boots. Then a sales campaign in the United States of America started zippering children’s cloth in the 1930s. Thus, it became a part of the garment world.
What is the purpose of a button fly?
Answer: Jeans and pants manufacturers use this to close the opening. Not only this, they similarly use zip or velcro for the same purpose.
Why do military pants have buttons instead of zippers?
Answer: A button fly is better at sealing the Army-issued uniform than a zipper fly. The army people need a secure settlement for their training and operations. Therefore, they prefer the button fly.
Do Levi 501 have zippers?
Answer: The 514 jeans feature a slimmer cut along with a zipper, whereas 501 comprise button-down straight-leg. And apart from having zippers, the 514 ones have slightly narrower leg openings and a bit lower rise comparatively.
To Wrap Up
Hopefully, you have secured an all-encompassing idea from this brief discussion. And wherever you go and shop your favorite fly jeans, please be protected. We are in the Covid age! Stay good, stay safe!
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