Rivets for jeans and bags are small metal fasteners that reinforce the most stressed points of a piece – pocket corners, handle and strap attachments, and junctions between fabrics. Besides strength, they give the industrial look that we associate with quality denim. Here are the main rivet types, how to choose the size and how to set them without damaging the fabric.
What rivets are for
A rivet permanently joins two or more layers of material. Unlike a snap button or an eyelet, it never opens – its job is to take the strain where a seam would otherwise tear. The idea was patented for work trousers by Jacob Davis and Levi Strauss in 1873 and has been part of jeans ever since. Today rivets are also used on:
- pockets of jeans, jackets and workwear;
- handles, straps and bases of bags and backpacks;
- leather goods, belts and footwear;
- decorative accents on collars, cuffs and seams.
Metal eyelets PE 0002 flat
CAP RIVER Luxury Metal Rivets – 12.5 mm Gun Metal
Metal eyelets PE 0003 – ovalTypes of rivets
- Two-part cap and post rivets – the most common type. The post goes on the inside and the decorative cap on the front. When pressed, the post spreads inside the cap and locks it.
- Decorative rivets – with embossed, smooth or engraved caps. Finishes such as Gun Metal, antique nickel, bronze and copper each give a different character.
- Rivets for leather and bags – with a longer post for thicker materials and a larger cap that spreads the load.
How to choose the size
Rivet size is given as the cap diameter. The second key measurement is the post length, which must match the total thickness of the layers.
| Cap diameter | Use |
|---|---|
| 5–7 mm | jeans pocket corners, denim shirts, kidswear |
| 8–10 mm | jackets, work trousers, leather accessories |
| 12–13 mm | bags, backpacks, belts, statement details |
If the post is too short, the rivet will not close; if it is too long, it bends and stays loose. Always test on a scrap of the same fabric with the same number of layers.
How to set a rivet step by step
- Mark the spot – on jeans pockets the rivet goes right at the end of the topstitching, where the seam takes the most strain.
- Make a hole with an awl or hole punch. It should be slightly smaller than the post so the fabric does not fray.
- Push the post through from the inside.
- Place the cap on top and set it with the matching die and a hammer, or with a hand press. In production, a machine with dies for the specific model is used.
- Check that the rivet sits firmly and does not spin.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a rivet and an eyelet?
An eyelet has a hole in the middle and is used to finish openings, for example for a drawcord. A rivet is solid and serves to join and reinforce layers permanently.
Can a rivet be removed?
Only by destroying it – with end cutters or by drilling out the post from the back. A new rivet can go in the same place as long as the hole has not been stretched.
Do rivets rust in the wash?
Good-quality plated rivets withstand regular washing. Wash jeans inside out to protect the finish from abrasion.
Browse the models in our rivets collection, and for openings and closures see our eyelets and jeans buttons.
