Alternatives to zippers on blue jeans
Published by Naitik Mehta · March 29, 2026
Stuck on the clue Alternatives to zippers on blue jeans from the New York Times Daily for March 29, 2026? We have the correct 11-letter answer, including the definition, alternative hints, as well as other answers from the same crossword. Ready to learn more about this clue?
Clue
Alternatives to zippers on blue jeans (11)
Answer
The answer to Alternatives to zippers on blue jeans is Button Flies (11 letters).
In the NYT "Roundabouts" Sunday puzzle (March 29, 2026), theme answers bend through circled cells. This entry's cells read SEILFN, but the real answer is BUTTON FLIES — the zipperless closure on vintage Levi's jeans. The path turns 90° around a "roundabout" cell.
Why does Button Flies fit this clue?
The editorial note explains that this entry appears in a 'Roundabouts' Sunday puzzle where theme answers physically bend through the grid, turning 90 degrees around a central roundabout cell. The letters in the grid read SEILFN along the visible path, but when you follow the full winding route the answer spells out BUTTON FLIES. A button fly is the closure system on jeans that uses a vertical row of buttons instead of a zipper, fastened through reinforced buttonholes in the denim. Vintage Levi's 501s famously used button flies, making them a well-known alternative to the zippered fly found on most modern jeans. The clue 'Alternatives to zippers on blue jeans' is a direct definition, and BUTTON FLIES fits perfectly as the plural noun naming exactly that old-school fastening option.
What does Alternatives to zippers on blue jeans mean?
We break down each word in the clue and show its dictionary definitions below.
alternatives
noun
•other options or choices available instead of something
zippers
noun
•fastening devices with interlocking metal or plastic teeth that slide together
jeans
noun
•casual pants made of denim fabric, typically blue
Where did this clue appear?
This clue appeared as 14-down in the New York Times Daily on March 29, 2026, by Michael and Oliver Schlossberg, edited by Will Shortz. See all answers for this puzzle.
Read the NYT Wordplay column for this puzzle.
NYT Daily — Mar 29, 2026
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What does Button Flies mean?
noun
•a type of trouser closure that uses a vertical row of buttons instead of a zipper to fasten the front opening of jeans or pants
How to use Button Flies in a sentence
Here are 3 examples of how to use the word Button Flies.
•“Many vintage Levi's jeans featured button flies instead of zippers, which some people prefer for their classic look and durability.”
•“The tailor recommended button flies for the custom trousers because they create a smoother silhouette than bulky zippers.”
•“He struggled with the button flies on his new jeans until he got used to fastening all five buttons in the right order.”
Learn about related clues
All clues from the New York Times Daily, Mar 29, 2026 crossword
The New York Times Daily for March 29, 2026 titled “Roundabouts” was published by Michael and Oliver Schlossberg and has 140 clues. Curious about all the answers from this crossword puzzle? View all answers here.
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Frequently asked questions about Alternatives to zippers on blue jeans
- What is the answer to Alternatives to zippers on blue jeans?
- The answer is Button Flies (11 letters).
- Where did this clue appear?
- This clue was last seen in the New York Times Daily on March 29, 2026.
- How many letters does the answer to Alternatives to zippers on blue jeans have?
- The answer has 11 letters: Button Flies.
Author
Naitik Mehta
Co-founder
Naitik is a gaming enthusiast who loves solving daily word games and enjoys the friendly competition from time to time. He is the co-founder of Crossword Chef and enjoys thinking about how to make crossword solving more fun for everyone around the world.
Puzzle
NYT Daily — Mar 29, 2026
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