Jeans are available in dozens of different styles, some of which include boot cut, straight leg, skinny, low rise, high rise, boyfriend, loose and relaxed. While each style has its own unique characteristics, they all feature a denim construction. As a result, a typical pair of jeans can last for years or even decades — assuming you clean and maintain them according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
When choosing a pair of jeans, though, you should pay attention to the fly. Even with the large variety of different styles, jeans typically use either a button or zipper fly. While the fly type may sound like an insignificant or even meaningless feature, it can affect the performance of your jeans in more ways than one. So, should you choose jeans with a button fly or a zipper fly?
Overview of the Button Fly
The button fly is the most common type of fly used in denim jeans. It’s been around for over a century, with some of the world’s first jeans featuring this type of fly. Jeans with a button fly don’t just have a single button. Rather, they usually feature a single column of multiple buttons. Some jeans have three buttons for the fly, whereas others have five or six buttons. Regardless, the button fly is characterized by a single vertical column of buttons, which can be fastened or unfastened to put on or take off the jeans.
Overview of the Zipper Fly
A more modern fly type, the zipper fly features a zipper. Even if you’re unfamiliar with the different fly types, you’ve probably used a zipper before. It’s a simple device that features a row of teeth with a clasping mechanism. You can pull up the zipper to secure your jeans around your waistline, or you can pull down the zipper to take off your jeans. Keep in mind that most jeans with a zipper fly also have a single button at the top. After pulling up the zipper, you can fasten this button to secure your jeans in place.
Aesthetics
Both the button fly as well as the zipper fly can enhance the aesthetics of your denim jeans. With that said, many people prefer the classic appearance of the button fly over the zipper fly. Buttons offer a higher level of aesthetics than zippers, introducing a classic and timeless visual element into your jeans.
Durability
In terms of durability, high-quality buttons usually outperform zippers. It’s not uncommon for a zipper fly to get stuck. Whether you are pulling up the zipper or pulling it down, it may get stuck halfway. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to “force” the zipper when this occurs — not without breaking it, at least. With a button fly, though, you don’t have to worry about this happening. If the buttons are made of a high-quality material — and they’ve been sewn into the denim fabric properly — they shouldn’t get stuck, nor should they fall off. And in the rare event that one of your buttons does come off, you can usually sew it or a replacement button back into your jeans.
Ease of Use
Most people will agree that jeans with a zipper fly are easier to use than those with a button fly. You don’t have to fiddle with buttons, which can sometimes be difficult to fasten or unfasten. Instead, you can simply pull or pull down the zipper to put on or take off your jeans. As a result, many men and women prefer jeans with a zipper fly over those with a button fly. Jeans with a button fly are still easy to use, but the simplicity of the zipper fly is unmatched.
Stability
It’s unlikely that either a button fly or zipper fly will “fall down,” once secured in place. However, jeans with a button fly tend to be slightly more stable and secure than their counterparts with a zipper fly.
Cost
You might be wondering whether jeans with a button fly cost more than jeans with a zipper fly. In some cases, you may discover price nuances between jeans with different fly types. Normally, though, the fly type shouldn’t affect the price of jeans.
Tips on Maintaining a Button Fly
- Inspect the buttons on a regular basis to ensure they aren’t loose or damaged.
- Always unbutton your jeans before attempting to wash or dry them.
- If you discover a missing button, sew a similar-sized button in its place.
- Don’t twist the buttons.
Tips on Maintaining a Zipper Fly
- Never force a stuck zipper. If it won’t budge, gently pull it in alternating directions until it comes loose.
- Pull down the zipper on your jeans before attempting to wash or dry them.
- For a cleaner appearance, hand-polish the zipper once every few months.
- Even if your jeans have a zipper fly, they probably have a single button on top, which you should fasten to prevent the zipper from falling down.
Whether you prefer jeans with a button fly or jeans with a zipper fly, you should choose a pair of jeans in an appropriate size. If your jeans are too small, wearing them could cause the fly to pop. If your jeans have a button fly, one or more buttons may break free from the denim fabric. If your jeans have a zipper fly, the zipper could bust.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, there are certainly differences between the button fly and the zipper fly. Jeans with a button fly, for example, offer a more classic and timeless appearance, whereas jeans with a zipper fly are easier to use. With that said, the nuances between these two fly types are subtle, so they won’t have a significant impact on the performance of your jeans. You should still consider the fly type when choosing a pair of jeans, but you should focus on more important elements like the quality of denim, color and overall construction.
