Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Wire hooks and eyes are small metal fasteners made of bent wire. Each set consists of a hook and an eye, which are sewn on the inside of the garment opposite each other. When the hook catches the eye, the edges come tightly together and the fastening remains almost invisible. They are used on dresses, skirts, blouses, lingerie and haute couture.
Why they are called "wire buttons" in Bulgarian
In Bulgarian garment terminology, the word for "button" is often used for any fastener. These fasteners are made of wire, so in Bulgarian practice they are known as "teleni kopcheta" – literally wire buttons – or wire hooks. They are not buttons in the classic sense – they have no holes and do not pass through a buttonhole. Nor should they be confused with metal jeans buttons: wire hooks and eyes are fine, light and intended for delicate fabrics.
How they are constructed
The hook
The hook is a wire bent so that on one side it forms a curved catch and on the other two small loops for sewing. Some hooks have a slightly raised back that relieves the pressure on the fabric.
The eye
The eye is a separate part, also made of bent wire, with two loops for sewing. It can be straight (bar type), when the edges of the fabric overlap, or round (loop type), when the edges must meet on one line. In ateliers, a thread eye that is almost invisible is sometimes worked instead of a metal eye.
Materials and finishes
Wire hooks and eyes are made of brass or steel wire, electroplated or lacquered. Three colours are the most common:
- silver – nickel or similar plating, universal for light fabrics;
- gold – for warm tones and visible details;
- black – almost unnoticeable on dark fabrics.
The finish must be smooth, without burrs that could snag fine threads, and resistant to washing and ironing.
Where wire hooks and eyes are used
| Product | Function |
|---|---|
| Dresses and skirts with an invisible zip | A hook above the slider takes the strain |
| Necklines and backs | Invisible fastening along the edge |
| Blouses and bustiers | A discreet fastening on thin fabrics |
| Bras, corsets, bodysuits | Adjusting the circumference |
| Waistbands of skirts and women's trousers | An additional fastening in the waistband |
| Evening, bridal and stage wear | Fastening without disrupting the line |
| Coats and furs | Larger hooks for concealed fastening |
Advantages of hooks and eyes
- Invisibility – they are sewn on the inside and do not disrupt the line of the style.
- Low weight – they do not pull on thin fabrics.
- Precise joining – the edges meet without overlapping, if required.
- No machine needed – they are sewn on with needle and thread, without a press or die.
- Easy replacement – a damaged hook can be replaced in minutes.
Limitations
In addition, hooks and eyes require manual work to sew on, which must be taken into account in the time standard for large runs. Wire hooks and eyes are not suitable for high-stress positions on heavy fabrics. For trouser waistbands in dense fabrics, flat hooks and bars work better, and when a small concealed fastening with a click is needed – sew-on snap fasteners. A hook can also come undone on its own if the eye is positioned inaccurately or if the garment is pulled in the direction opposite to the hook.
Sizes
Wire hooks and eyes come in different sizes – from the finest for lingerie and silk blouses to large hooks for coats and furs. Many manufacturers designate sizes with numbers, for example 00, 0, 1, 2, 3 and larger, but the numbering is not universal. Polkom stocks sizes from 0.6 to 2 mm. The right size depends on the thickness of the fabric and the load on the fastening – if in doubt, send a fabric sample.
Care and washing
Garments with wire hooks and eyes are best washed fastened, inside out and, if possible, in a mesh bag. This way the hooks do not catch other items and do not get bent in the drum. When ironing, do not place the iron directly on the metal parts – iron on the wrong side or through a cloth so that no imprints are left on thin fabric. If a hook gets bent, carefully reshape it with small pliers or replace it with a new one of the same size.
Wire hooks and eyes in series production
In garment factories, wire hooks and eyes are sewn on at the end of the production process, after the zip has been inserted and the neckline finished. That is why it is important to include them in the tech pack during style development – with the exact position, size, colour and quantity. Lacking the right size on the day of the finishing operations can delay the whole batch.
How to choose wire hooks and eyes
- Define the position and load – neckline, zip, waistband, lingerie.
- Choose the eye – straight for overlapping edges, round for edges that meet.
- Choose the size according to the thickness and weight of the fabric.
- Choose the colour – black for dark fabrics, silver for light ones, gold for warm tones or visible details.
- Test on a piece of the fabric before series sewing.
You will find all available models in our wire hooks and eyes for clothing category.
Wire hooks and eyes wholesale from Polkom
Polkom is a Bulgarian company based in Sofia with over three decades of experience in manufacturing and wholesaling garment accessories. We keep the most popular wire hooks and eyes in silver, gold and black in stock and deliver across the EU. Send us the size, colour and approximate quantity via our contact page.
