Broken zipper
Also: stuck zipper · separated zipper · faulty zip
Broken zippers are fasteners that no longer function — a separated slider, missing teeth, a stuck pull, or a zip that splits open after closing. Found on jackets, jeans, and boots, they directly block how a garment is worn and are judged under functional elements on the grade.
How to detect it
- Zip the closure fully up and down several times, feeling for catches
- After closing, tug the two sides apart to check the zip doesn't split
- Inspect the teeth or coil for gaps, bends, or a slider that skips
Grade impact
A broken zipper is a Functional Elements (15%) issue and often decisive. A sticky pull that still works stays near Good (6); a zipper that won't close, separates under load, or has lost teeth caps the item at Fair (5) or Poor (3–4) until repaired.
Fixability
Frequently repairable. A new slider, stops, or a full zipper replacement by a tailor restores function, though it's a paid repair. A replaced zipper is non-original and should be disclosed as such.
How to disclose it
Describe the exact failure ('zipper separates at the base when closed'). A broken main closure is a grade-defining flaw, so buyers must know before they pay, not discover it at home.
Broken zipper — frequently asked
- Is a broken zipper worth repairing before resale?
- Often yes. A tailor can replace a slider or the whole zipper, which restores function and lifts the grade out of the Fair or Poor range. Factor the repair cost against the item's value, and disclose that the zipper is a non-original replacement.
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