Heritage in the Details: The Story of the Workwear Zipper

Details matter. On The Propeller and The Cruiser Jackets, even the zipper tells a story. We use a faithful reproduction of the hardware found on American workwear and military garments of the 1940s and ’50s—a time when durability wasn’t optional. The brass slider carries the original Universal engraving and is paired with the army green tape. Every element pulled straight from a vintage archive.

This zipper traces its roots back to the Universal Button Fastening Company of Detroit, founded in the late 1800s. After WWII, they shifted into zippers and left their mark on American clothing before eventually becoming part of YKK, the leader in fastening hardware. Today, YKK’s Old American line revives those mid-century designs with the same authenticity, but built with modern precision.

It’s a small detail, but one that makes a difference. The same way selvedge denim or copper rivets tell you something about how a garment was made, this zipper is a nod to the era when workwear was built to last—down to the last piece of hardware.