Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Antique silver cord ends (Antique Silver, code AS) are metal end caps with a matte, patinated finish in a grey silver tone: darker in the recesses of the relief and lighter at the edges, just as a silver object looks after years of use. They give the cord a vintage, craft character and are used on denim, workwear and outdoor clothing, boho collections, leather bags and shoes. At Polkom the finish is available for all 64 styles.
What the antique silver finish is
Unlike glossy Silver, Antique Silver does not reflect light like a mirror. The matte surface is darker and “softer” to the eye, and the patina creates depth: every knurl, rib or pattern stands out. That is why on smooth shapes the effect is discreet, while on relief styles it is most pronounced.
The shade is dark grey with a metallic sheen at the edges. It is lighter than Gun Metal and much lighter than Antique Oxide, which is in a dark brown range. If your collection uses eyelets or rivets in aged silver, compare them with a sample – with antique finishes each batch may have slight natural variation in the patina.
Which products benefit from antique silver
- Denim – jackets, trousers and skirts with a drawcord, especially with grey-blue and bleached washes, where cool aged metal looks better than brass.
- Workwear and outdoor clothing – drawcords on jackets, anoraks, hiking trousers. The matte finish does not shine and does not easily show scratches.
- Boho, ethnic and handmade collections – tunics, capes, knitted cardigans, textile jewellery.
- Leather and textile bags – drawstring bags, retro-style backpacks, cases.
- Shoes and boots – laces on combat boots and hiking shoes.
- Rustic-style home textiles – linen cushions, tablecloths, bags, curtains with ties.
Which cords to combine it with
Antique silver works well with natural and muted colours:
- natural cotton, linen, raw white and ecru;
- khaki, olive and grey-green;
- indigo, denim blue and anthracite;
- melange and braided cords with a visible structure.
Bright, clean colours and satin cords are usually not the best pairing: next to them aged metal looks “worn out”. Glossy Silver or Black Oxide is more appropriate there.
A good rule is to think about the whole product: if the fabric has a wash, signs of wear or hand finishing, aged metal will look convincing. If the fabric is new, smooth and bright, an antique finish may look like a selection mistake.
Recommended styles in Antique Silver
The patina needs relief to show. That is why our selection is dominated by styles with knurling, patterns, rings and edges.
| Code (Antique Silver) | Style | Ø / width × length | Opening | Why in antique silver |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NK-211-AS | Cylinder with relief pattern | Ø 8.21 × 8.24 mm | ≈ Ø 5.1 mm | the relief pattern is emphasised by the patina |
| NK-212-AS | Cone with relief rings | Ø 10.35 × 14.4 mm | ≈ Ø 3.6 mm | cone with relief rings – vintage look |
| NK-213-AS | Textured cylinder, long | Ø 14.48 × 28.4 mm | ≈ Ø 10.5 mm | long textured cylinder for thick cords |
| NK-203-AS | Barrel | Ø 8.74 × 14.91 mm | ≈ Ø 4.8 mm | barrel – solid shape for workwear |
| NK-703-AS | Sphere with relief pattern | Ø 9.65 × 7.43 mm | ≈ Ø 5.3 mm | sphere with relief pattern for boho collections |
| NK-705-AS | Dotted sphere | Ø 10.64 × 8.6 mm | ≈ Ø 4.8 mm | dotted sphere – craft character |
| NK-408-AS | Chevron | 14.8 × 14.05 mm | slot for tape | chevron – graphic accent |
| NK-302-AS | Flat, rectangular, low | 13.62 × 7.77 mm | slot for tape | low flat style for tapes |
| NK-109-AS | Cone with hexagonal opening | Ø 12.8 × 11.76 mm | ≈ Ø 10.2 mm | cone with a hexagonal opening |
If you are looking for cleaner shapes, browse the geometric cord ends – their edges also lighten naturally.
Size and shape: what to keep in mind
With matte finishes, shape says more than shine. If the cord is thick and braided, as on workwear jackets and hiking trousers, choose a solid style – a barrel, a long textured cylinder or a cone with a large opening. On boho products with thin cotton or linen cords, small patterned spheres look better. Flat styles are for tapes and narrow belts; choose the width according to the tape. The openings in the catalogue are approximate, so send a sample of the cord – we will confirm the size and recommend whether the cord end should be crimped or glued.
Durability and care
The big advantage of matte antique finishes is that wear does not “spoil” them. Light scratches and rubbing at the edges blend into the patina and look like part of the design. Still:
- do not clean the cord ends with abrasive pastes or polishing products – they remove the patina and leave light patches;
- when washing denim, avoid bleach and aggressive enzymes on the metal details;
- for products that will go through enzyme or stone washing, test a sample cord end together with the fabric.
How to order antique silver cord ends
Choose the style from the metal cord end catalogue and add the code AS – for example NK-212-AS. The minimum quantity is 1000 pcs per style and colour. Send us the cord or its diameter; the opening sizes in the tables are approximate and we confirm them with a sample before ordering. Flat and larger styles can also carry an engraved or raised logo.
Polkom – aged-metal accessories for the whole collection
Polkom manufactures accessories for fashion, furniture, footwear and bags and has over 30 years of experience with brands and sewing factories. To go with the cord ends you can select rivets and cords in the same style. Write to us via the inquiry form – we will send a sample in Antique Silver.
