Wholesale Trouser Hooks and Bars for Trousers and Skirts

What are trouser hooks and bars?

Trouser hooks and bars are small metal or plastic two-part fasteners – a hook and a bar (or eye) – that keep the waistband or front of a garment firmly closed without being seen from the outside. They take the tension at the waistband, relieve the button and zip, and give a clean, smooth line. That is why hooks and bars are standard on classic trousers, skirts, jackets and formalwear. Polkom, a manufacturer and wholesaler of garment accessories, supplies trouser hooks and bars to garment factories, fashion brands and ateliers.

Types of hooks and bars

Plate hooks and bars for trousers

Plate hooks and bars are flat metal hooks and bars with a larger bearing surface. They hold the trouser waistband securely, spread the tension over a wider area and do not bend under load. They come both in sew-on versions and with raised prongs for press fitting.

Press-on hooks and bars

Press-on hooks and bars are fixed to the fabric with prongs or rivets using a press. Fitting is quick and consistent, which makes them the preferred choice in volume production of trousers and uniforms.

Plastic hooks and bars

Plastic hooks and bars are light, do not rust and are sewn on like metal ones. They suit light skirts, dresses and childrenswear, as well as products where metal is not wanted. Clear and black versions are almost invisible on the fabric.

Materials and finishes

Metal hooks and bars are made of steel or brass. Brass versions do not rust and are suitable for garments that are washed often. The most popular finishes are nickel, black and brass, and for larger runs another finish matched to the rest of the garment's hardware is possible.

Where hooks and bars are used

• Classic and formal trousers
• Skirts and dresses – above the zip or at the waist
• Jackets, waistcoats and coats
• Uniforms and workwear
• Corsets and stage costumes

How to choose a hook and bar

Be guided by the load and the fabric thickness. For a trouser waistband in dense wool or cotton, choose a plate or press-on hook and bar. For a fine dress, blouse, lingerie or the top of an invisible zip, choose wire hooks and eyes – small hooks and loops made of wire. If the garment also has visible fastening, see our buttons and zips to source the whole set from one supplier. For delicate fabrics, an alternative is sew-on snap fasteners.

Fitting and placement

The hook always goes on the upper, overlapping layer and the eye or bar on the lower layer, so the waistband line stays straight when fastened. On trousers the hook and bar is usually combined with a button on the inside of the waistband, which takes an extra share of the load. To prevent it tearing out, the area under the hook is reinforced with interfacing or a double layer of fabric. For press-on models, it is important that the die matches the hook and bar exactly.

Why Polkom

More than 10,000 articles, large stock, fast samples and delivery across the EU. We can also take care of attaching the accessories to your garments. Send an enquiry with the hook and bar type, size, finish and approximate quantity. Minimum quantities depend on the article – send an enquiry via the contact form.