Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
The colour of metal jeans buttons and rivets is chosen according to the denim wash: dark indigo loves the warm tones of copper and antique brass, washed and light denim suits aged silver and worn brass, while black denim goes with gunmetal and matt black. The rule is simple: the darker and more “raw” the fabric, the warmer and richer the metal can be. Below are the specific tones from the Polkom colour chart, arranged by type of denim.
Why the colour of the metal parts matters so much on jeans
On jeans, the metal accessories are not a hidden detail. The waistband button, the pocket rivets, the metal logo plate and the zip slider are all visible at once and are perceived as one system. Add to them the decorative topstitching – most often in yellow, orange or copper. If the metal and the thread are in one warm tone, the jeans look classic. If the metal is cool and the stitching warm, the contrast has to be deliberate.
How to check the combination
- Place the metal swatch on the fabric after washing, not on the raw fabric – washing lightens denim, but not the metal.
- Look at the metal next to the topstitching thread and next to the leather or jacquard waistband label.
- Compare in daylight: warm lighting makes copper and brass look yellower than they are.
- Think about the whole collection – if some jeans have copper and others gunmetal, the codes must be repeated consistently.
Metal colour by type of denim
| Type of denim | Recommended tones | Example codes | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw, dark indigo | copper, antique copper, antique brass | PK-M14, PK-M28, PK-M73 | classic, workwear, vintage |
| Medium wash (stone wash) | antique brass, worn brass, dark antique brass | PK-M77, PK-M76, PK-M78 | everyday, “worn-in” look |
| Light and bleached denim | antique silver, distressed antique silver, pewter grey | PK-M57, PK-M80, PK-M48 | soft, summery, retro |
| Black and dark grey denim | gunmetal, graphite, deep matt black | PK-M47, PK-M46, PK-M10 | urban, minimalist, rock |
| White and ecru denim | satin pale gold, antique silver, light brass | PK-M66, PK-M57, PK-M01 | clean, delicate, womenswear |
| Coloured denim (olive, brown, burgundy) | antique bronze, dark antique bronze, antique brass | PK-M05, PK-M34, PK-M73 | earth tones, heritage |
Copper and antique brass – the classic for dark indigo
Copper rivets appeared on work trousers as early as the end of the 19th century – to reinforce the pocket corners, which are the first to tear. Since then, copper and brass colours have been the visual code of classic jeans.
Copper
Gloss dark copper (PK-M14) is rich and reddish – good for raw denim with orange topstitching. Antique copper (PK-M28) is more subdued and looks natural in heritage collections, where everything should look “old”.
Antique brass
Antique brass (PK-M73) is the most versatile tone for blue denim. The distressed version (PK-M77) imitates the light edges that metal acquires over the years and suits styles with a stone wash or hand abrasion.
Gunmetal and black for black denim
On black and dark grey denim, copper can look like a foreign detail. Dark metal tones work better here: gloss black gunmetal (PK-M47) for a light sheen, satin dark gunmetal (PK-M46) for a calm look and deep matt black (PK-M10) for styles where the metal should almost disappear. Over time, a lighter metal may show at the edges of dark finishes – on black denim this usually looks natural. On bleached black denim, which turns graphite grey with washing, satin gunmetal is a better choice than pure black, because it repeats the grey undertone of the fabric.
Aged silver for light and washed denim
On light blue, bleached and white denim, bright copper is often too heavy. Antique silver (PK-M57) and distressed antique silver (PK-M80) are soft, grey and have a vintage character. They suit summer styles, denim jackets with a bleached effect and denim skirts and dresses. For white and ecru denim you can also choose between satin pale gold and light brass if the collection is in a warm palette.
Industrial washing and the finish
Most jeans are washed industrially after the buttons and rivets have already been attached. This affects the colour of the metal:
- Stone wash and abrasive washing. Pumice rubs the edges of the finish. Antique and distressed tones hide this, while gloss finishes show it.
- Bleaching and chemical treatments. Some bleaching recipes can change the tone of the finish or darken it. If you use aggressive chemicals, test in advance.
- Enzyme washing and garment dyeing. Usually gentler, but this too must be checked on a sample.
The safest route is a test garment: attach the button and rivets, run it through the same washing recipe and only then approve the colour. This way you see the final look, not the swatch before washing.
One code for all the metal parts of the jeans
Choose one code for the jeans button, the rivets and the metal logo plate. If the zip is metal, compare its finish with the swatch, because the zip is a separate item with its own colour range. Some brands deliberately combine copper rivets with an antique brass button – this is acceptable if the tones are from one warm palette and the difference is visibly intentional.
The jeans button sits directly against the skin of the stomach, which is why it matters that all Polkom metal finishes are nickel free – including the silvery and dark tones.
Jeans buttons and rivets from the manufacturer
Polkom is a manufacturer of metal buttons, rivets and plates for denim with over 30 years of experience, with custom logos and fast samples. Choose a tone from the colours and finishes and send us an inquiry with the type of denim and the wash you use – we will suggest suitable codes and samples for testing.
