Pants have zippers… But why? Why not buttons? What are pants with zippers on the bottom called? Why do pants have buttons….. instead of just having a zipper go up the entire leg? And why is the fly on our pants called a “fly”?
Pants Zipper History – In the beginning….. there were buttons… Just buttons… You fastened your pants by simply buttoning them closed….. much like you would do for a shirt or blouse… One day….. someone got the idea to put a zipper on their pants….. and BOOM! The world changed.
But why did they put a zipper on their pants? That’s a good question….. and we may never know the answer (at least not conclusively).
What Are Zippers on Pants For?
The short answer is that pants with zippers on the outside make it easier to use the bathroom… The long answer is a little more complicated but much more interesting.
In the late 1800s….. some men decided that they wanted pants with zippers instead of buttons… It would be easier to go to the bathroom while wearing pants that had zippers on them than to have to fumble with buttons… So the first pants with zippers were invented for this purpose.
The pants came with buttons….. too….. so that you could unzip them when you needed to use the bathroom and then fasten them back up again afterward.
Buttons can be a hassle….. even if you’re not going to be using the bathroom in a hurry… They can get caught in things or rip off.
One of the main reasons why jeans became popular was that they didn’t have buttons sewn onto them like other kinds of pants did.
Why Is Pants Zipper Called Fly?
A fly is a device used for fastening….. closing….. or covering an opening… It’s also known as a closure and a covering device… When it comes to pants….. the fly is a zipper that does all three of these things.
For example….. we still use the term fly when we use a covering over a tent… The tent fly covers the tent protecting it from the rain and outside elements.
So the word fly when it comes to pants is basically the same principle… The fly is a covering… You need to think like your pants have a flap at the front that needs covering just like a tent does and that is done by a fly… In this case a zipper.
What to Do If Your Pants Zipper Breaks?
We’ve all been there… You are miles away from home….. you are in public….. and your zipper breaks and it lays there in front of your pants wide open.
Here are a few things you can do:
Tape Fix: If your zipper is on the right side of your pants….. try taping it up with clear packing tape… Pull the tab down and make sure that the tape is snug around the whole zipper and overlaps at the bottom… If your pants have a metal zipper….. try using masking tape or scotch tape since they’re thinner than packing tape.
Safety Pin Fix: If your pants have a metal zipper and you don’t have any packing tape….. use a safety pin to hold it together… Safety pins work best if you place them on both sides of the zipper: one at the top and one at the bottom… You can also use binder clips if you’re in a pinch and don’t have any safety pins lying around… Just make sure that one clip goes over each side of the zipper for maximum holding power!
Jumper: The old tie-the-jumper around-the-waist trick… If you are wearing a jumper just tie it by the sleeves around your waist… You might not look very professional around the office but you can also spend most of your time sitting down as well.
Is Button Fly Better Than Zipper?
It’s quite ironic that now button flys are making a huge comeback when initially the zipper was invented because people disliked the buttons – such is the crazy cycle of fashion.
The debate over button fly versus zipper can get heated… One of the main differences between the two is appearance… The button fly is considered more casual and easy-going while the zipper gives an impression of efficiency….. organization….. and professionalism.
Button fly has a classic look and gives you the look of an original style of pants… Zipper fly tends to be slimmer than the button fly… This is because of how the fabric must be cut in order for the pants to open and close smoothly.
Button flies tend to have fewer metal parts than zip-fly jeans….. which means that they are more likely to wear out before your favorite pair of jeans… Buttons are also more affordable than zippers and easier to repair if need be.
As for the reasons to go with a zipper fly….. they are as follows: Zipper flies are more comfortable because there is less friction between your legs when wearing them… They are also more practical because they offer a smooth opening and closing mechanism… This allows you to easily take off your pants while wearing boots or shoes without worrying about snagging the fabric on anything.
Why Are There Zippers on Pant Legs?
Pants zippers aren’t just for decoration… They have a purpose… If you don’t know why they’re there….. you can become frustrated when they fail to perform and get stuck… But if you know how to zip and unzip your pants….. you’ll have no problem pulling them on and off.
How Pants Zippers Work
Pants zippers are really just one piece of metal that is shaped like the letter “Z.” This metal slides along a track… You pull the two ends of the zipper apart….. slide them back together….. and it makes a closed seam.
This is what allows you to slide your pants on and off without taking your shoes off or unbuttoning the top button of your pants so you can wiggle them over your hips.
Pants with zippers are easier to put on and to adjust than pants with buttons or snap closures… They are also more comfortable than pants with drawstrings or elastic waistbands.
What Are Pants with Zippers on the Bottom Called?
Trousers with zippers on the bottom are referred to as zipper jeans….. zipper pants….. or fly-front pants and can be found in many colors….. including blue….. black….. brown….. and white… Zipper jeans are common among both men and women….. although there are other types of trousers with zippers available for both men and women.
Pants with zippers on the bottom are called zippered jeans… Zippered jeans have a few variations… The zipper can be placed on the front of the jeans….. or it can be placed on the back… It can also be placed at the top of the zipper.
Zippered jeans were originally created as an alternative to elastic-waistbanded pants… Elastic waistbands tend to lose their elasticity over time….. and in some cases….. they may eventually break… Zippered jeans are more durable….. and they typically don’t sag as much as elastic waist banded pants do.
In summary….. zippers are used on pants to enable the user to wear them quickly and easily… Zippers are also used because they enable users to remove their pants swiftly without having to spend time or energy fastening or unfastening buttons when it is necessary to use the restroom.
You may also be interested in….. Why Do Boxer Briefs Have a Hole in the Front? and What to Do When Trousers Are See Through?
Louise Wilson is an accomplished author, passionate textile historian, and renowned fashion enthusiast with a rich background in the world of apparel.
Graduating with honors in Fashion Design, Louise further expanded her skills and knowledge by completing a master’s degree in Textile History. Her academic pursuits have led her to explore the fashion capitals of the world, including Milan, Paris, and New York, enriching her insights into the global world of fashion.
As an author, Louise’s passion for fashion has found its way into her writings, where she intricately weaves narratives of style, design, and fashion history.