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A fly (UK: flies) (short for flyers) is a strip of material covering an opening on the crotch area of trousers, closed by a zipper (often), or buttons. On men's garments, the fly always opens on the wearer's right side; on women's garments, it may open either on the left or on the right.

A fly can also be on other garments, like the paletot coat of the 20th century, where it is the front opening that can be secured close and is covered hidden by fabric.

History

Trousers have varied historically in whether or not they have flies. Originally, trousers did not have flies or other openings, being pulled down for sanitary functions. The use of a codpiece, a separate covering attached to the trousers, became popular in 16th-century Europe, eventually evolving into an attached fall-front (or broad fall). The fly-front (split fall) emerged later.

References

1. Lee, Jaeil; Steen, Camille (2014). Technical Sourcebook for Designers. A&C Black. p. 93. ISBN 978-1-60901-856-6.
2. Croonborg, Frederick: The Blue Book of Men's Tailoring. Croonborg Sartorial Co. New York and Chicago, 1907. p. 123

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