Denim jeans are the world’s popular choice of pants. According to a poll conducted by ShopSmart, the average American woman owns seven pairs of jeans. Of course, men also own a significant number of jeans, many of whom wear them on a daily basis. But if you’re planning to buy a new pair of jeans, you’ll need to consider the fly style. While there are dozens if not hundreds of different styles of jeans, most have a zipper or button fly. So, which type of fly should you choose?
Denim History
It’s believed that some of the world’s first denim jeans were invented in the 1870s. Developed by Jacob W. Davis in partnership with Levi Strauss & Co., they featured a rugged construction and simple design that appealed to many gold prospectors at the time. These jeans, however, were only designed in a single fly type: buttons. They often featured three or four buttons in the fly. It wasn’t until the 1950s when the modern zipper became widely used on denim jeans. Now, most jeans on the market feature either a button or zipper fly.
Traditional Style
With more than half a century of tradition, the button fly remains a popular choice among fashion-conscious men and women. It’s simple, classic and looks great on all denim styles. This doesn’t necessarily mean that a zipper fly is a bad choice. Rather, if you prefer the traditional style of denim, you should consider jeans with a button fly for this reason. Buttons were used almost exclusively to make denim flies from the 1870s to the 1950s, after which manufacturers began using zippers as well. Because of the rich history behind them, many people prefer the button fly over its zipper counterpart.
Aesthetics
Aesthetically speaking, the differences between a zipper fly and button fly are subtle at best. In fact, most people won’t be able to tell which fly style you are wearing. The only time when it’s noticeable is when you are sitting, as this stretches the denim to reveal the fly type. Other than that, however, no one will be able to see the fly of your jeans. You can wear jeans with either a zipper fly or button fly without worrying about what other people think.
Comfort
In terms of comfort, there’s also little difference between the zipper fly and button fly. What really affects the comfort of jeans is the quality of denim from which they are made. Choosing a cheap pair of jeans made from low-quality denim isn’t going to offer the same level of comfort as a pair of premium jeans made of high-quality jeans. This is why it’s recommended that you spend the extra money by investing in a pair of premium jeans. They’ll cost more than cheap jeans, but they also offer a higher level of comfort.
Durability
Both the zipper fly and button fly are durable when produced by a reputable denim manufacturer. Whether you hand wash your jeans or place them in the washing machine, it shouldn’t have any negative affect on the fly. Zippers and buttons are both designed to withstand regular use and wear. With that said, there have been instances in which the buttons have fallen off the fly. This usually occurs when the jeans are under an extreme amount of stress. If you abuse your jeans or otherwise don’t care for them properly, one or more buttons in the fly may fall off. The good news is that such damage can easily be repaired. If a button has fallen off the fly, you can typically sew it back on using nothing more than a needle and thread.
Price
There’s no real price difference between jeans with a zipper fly and jeans with a button fly. Most manufacturers won’t charge different prices based on the fly type. If a pair of jeans with a zipper fly cost $65, you can expect to pay $65 for the same brand and type of jeans in a button fly.
Personal Preference
Of course, some people have a personal preference regarding the fly type. A zipper fly, for instance, is arguably easier to use buttons. You simply pull up the zipper through the “teeth,” after which you’re good to go! In comparison, a button fly requires you to physically notch the buttons in the denim. Granted, they are both simple, but most people will agree that the zipper fly is slightly easier to use. On the other hand, some people prefer the classic, traditional style of the button fly. Ultimately, it’s all a matter of personal preference, as some people prefer the button fly and others prefer the zipper fly.
Slim Fit
Finally, the zipper fly offers a slightly slimmer fit than the button fly. With a button fly, there’s more loose fabric in the fly. So, if you’re looking for a pair of slim-fitting jeans, you may want to choose a button fly. Again, it’s important to note that the difference is minimal, and many people won’t even be able to tell the difference between the two fly types.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, the differences between a zipper fly and button fly are subtle. The first jeans that appeared on the market only used a button fly. It wasn’t until many decades later when the zipper fly was introduced. Today, the popularity for zipper vs button fly types is about 50/50, meaning half of the jeans you see have a zipper fly, while the other half have a button fly.
Rather than focusing on the fly type when choosing a new pair of denim jeans, consider more meaningful features like the type of denim used its construction, the “cut” and the size. If you’re struggling to find a pair od denim jeans in the right size, you can order a custom pair here at MakeYourOwnJeans. You tell us your body measurements, and we’ll create a custom pair of denim jeans designed specifically for you.
