How to Fix Handbag Zipper Problems at Home

You’re here because your favorite bag betrayed you.

One second you’re zipping it up on the way out the door, the next second the zipper is stuck halfway, the teeth are gaping open, or the pull has straight-up vanished into the void.

The good news? Most handbag zipper problems look worse than they are. With a few basic tools and a calm plan, you can usually fix a handbag zipper at home, without destroying your leather, voiding your warranty, or turning your bag into a DIY crime scene.

In this guide, you’ll:

• Quickly diagnose what’s actually wrong with your zipper
• Learn step-by-step fixes for the most common handbag zipper problems
• Get temporary “save the day” tricks you can do in two minutes
• Know when to stop and call a pro, especially for designer or vintage bags
• Pick up easy maintenance habits so this doesn’t keep happening

Grab your bag, clear a small workspace (kitchen table works), and let’s fix that handbag zipper the smart way, not the rip-it-and-regret-it way.

Fix Handbag Zipper — Quick troubleshooter: identify your problem

Before you fix a handbag zipper, you have to name your enemy. Is it the slider? The teeth? The tape? Something else completely?

Symptom checklist (separated teeth, stuck slider, missing pull, off-track, broken teeth, slider won’t close)

Lay your bag flat, zipper facing you, and match what you see with one (or more) of these:

1. Teeth separate after you zip

• You zip it closed, but the teeth open back up behind the slider.
• Often caused by a worn, loose slider.

1. Zipper is stuck in one place

• Slider won’t move, or only moves with scary-level force.
• You might see fabric or thread caught in the teeth.
• Usually a stuck slider or debris problem.

1. Missing zipper pull

• The slider body is still there, but the part you hold (the pull tab) is gone or broken.
• Bag still zips, but it’s annoying or painful to use.

1. Slider came off one side (off-track)

• One side of the zipper tape is inside the slider, the other is loose and free.
• You often see this after the zipper is yanked too hard or overfilled.

1. Broken or missing teeth

• You can literally see gaps: a metal tooth missing, a plastic tooth snapped, or a nylon coil section chewed up.
• Location matters: near the ends can sometimes be bypassed: in the middle is trickier.

1. Slider won’t close the teeth at all

• You pull the slider and…nothing. The teeth don’t lock together.
• Common when the slider has stretched open or worn down.

You might have a combo situation (looking at you, vintage bags with mystery damage). That’s fine, we’ll layer fixes if needed.

How to inspect the zipper, what to look for (teeth, tape, slider, stops, lining, stitching)

Do a slow visual inspection before you try to fix your handbag zipper:

• Teeth or coil
• Are they straight and aligned?
• Any bent, missing, or crushed teeth?
• On coil (nylon) zippers, look for frayed or melted areas.
• Zipper tape (the fabric on each side)
• Any fraying, cuts, or spots where the tape pulled away from the bag?
• Is the tape twisted or folded near the ends?
• Slider (the moving metal or plastic piece)
• Is it visibly crooked, bent, or widened?
• Check both front and back. Any cracks? Is it super loose on the teeth?
• Stops (the bits that keep the slider from flying off)
• Top stops: tiny metal pieces at the very top of each side. Still there? Bent? Missing?
• Bottom stop: a rectangular clamp or a sewn “box” keeping the zipper closed at the base.
• Lining and outer material
• Is the lining caught in the zipper teeth?
• Any loose threads wrapping themselves around the slider?
• Stitching along the zipper
• Look for broken stitches or areas where the zipper has separated from the bag.

Take mental notes (or actual notes). Knowing exactly what’s wrong will save you from randomly yanking and making it worse.

Types of handbag zippers and why fixes differ

Not all zippers behave the same. A trick that works perfectly on a nylon coil zipper can wreck a delicate metal zipper on a designer bag.

Get familiar with what you’re working on before you jump into fixing your handbag zipper.

Coil (nylon) zippers, common issues & fixes

These are the soft, flexible zippers that look like a continuous nylon “coil” sewn onto the tape. You see them on lots of everyday handbags, totes, and backpacks (Think: Herschel, Longchamp-style nylon bags, many Target and Zara bags).

Common issues:

• Coil gets warped or wavy, so teeth don’t match up
• Fabric or lining gets easily caught
• Slider wears down and stops closing the coil

Typical fixes:

• Stuck zipper → clean & lubricate, gently work slider back and forth
• Separated coil behind slider → crimp or replace the slider
• Damaged coil at one end → sew a new “stop” before the bad area and avoid it

Coil zippers are usually the most forgiving and DIY-friendly.

Metal and molded plastic zippers, common issues & fixes

Metal zippers (brass, silver, gunmetal) and chunky molded plastic zippers feel sturdier, but when they break… they really break.

Common issues:

• Bent or missing metal teeth
• Cracked plastic teeth on molded zippers
• Slider wears or stretches, especially on cheaper bags

Typical fixes:

• Slider not closing teeth properly → try gently crimping the slider: if that fails, replace the slider
• Single bent metal tooth near the top → carefully straighten with pliers or remove the top section and create a new shorter zipper
• Missing or broken teeth in the middle → often needs zipper replacement, especially on structured or designer bags

Important note: with metal or plastic teeth, forcing a stuck slider can rip teeth out. If it doesn’t move, stop and diagnose.

Invisible/closed-end zippers (handbag applications) and special considerations

Invisible zippers (the kind where you barely see the teeth and just see a seam) show up in some minimalist handbags and clutches.

They’re usually coil zippers sewn differently, but:

• They’re harder to access because they’re buried in seams
• They can be a pain to replace cleanly without sewing skills

For invisible handbag zippers:

• Focus on slider fixes and lubrication first
• Avoid heavy crimping that could distort the way the seam lays
• If a full replacement is needed on a pricey bag, this is usually a pro job

Slider types, stops and pulls, identifying your parts

Look closely at your slider and pulls:

• Standard slider: one pull tab on top only
• Two-way slider: pulls on both sides (common on travel or tote bags)
• Locking slider: often found on higher-end bags: you feel a slight “click” when the pull is down

Also check:

• Top stops: tiny clamps at each top end
• Bottom stop: a clamp or sewn-in bar at the bottom
• Pulls: metal, leather tab, fabric loop, or branded piece (Coach, Michael Kors, etc.)

Why this matters: when you replace or fix a handbag zipper, especially the slider, you’ll want the right slider size and type and the correct stops so it doesn’t just fall off again.

Tools & materials you’ll need to fix handbag zipper

You don’t need a full sewing studio to fix a handbag zipper. A small pouch or box dedicated to zipper emergencies is enough.

Essential tools (pliers, flathead, replacement sliders, stopper kit, lubricant, needle & thread)

Here’s a simple starter kit:

• Small pliers

Needle-nose pliers are ideal. You’ll use these to:

• Crimp sliders
• Remove or install metal stops
• Gently straighten bent teeth
• Tiny flathead screwdriver or seam ripper

Useful for lifting metal stops or loosening tight slider gaps.

• Replacement sliders

Buy an assorted zipper repair kit (YKK kits on Amazon are solid) that includes different sizes for coil, metal, and plastic zippers. Look for sizes like #3, #5, #8, most handbags use #3 or #5.

• Stopper kit

A small set of top and bottom stops lets you replace missing or damaged ones and shorten a zipper if needed.

• Safe lubricants
• Plain candle wax or zipper wax
• Graphite (from a regular pencil or zipper lube stick)
• A tiny bit of bar soap (unscented is best)
• Hand needle & strong thread

Polyester thread works well. You’ll use this to:

• Stitch new stops
• Close off bad sections of teeth
• Reinforce loose zipper tape

Optional but helpful:

• Small scissors or thread snips
• Measuring tape to match slider sizes

Handbag-safe tools and alternatives (for leather or delicate linings)

If your bag is leather, suede, patent, or fancy coated fabric, you want to be extra gentle:

• Wrap metal plier jaws with painter’s tape or masking tape to avoid dents and scratches.
• Use cardboard or a folded microfiber cloth under the zipper area while you work to protect the leather.
• Swap harsh cleaners for water and a cotton swab when clearing debris.
• Avoid super glue near the zipper tape, it can seep into fibers and lock the teeth permanently.

Think of it this way: if you wouldn’t use a tool on your favorite pair of leather shoes, don’t use it directly on your handbag.

Step-by-step repairs: common problems and fixes

Now we’re getting to the good part: how to actually fix your handbag zipper.

Work on a flat surface with good lighting. If your bag is structured (like a Louis Vuitton Speedy or a Coach tote), sometimes it helps to stuff it with towels so it holds its shape while you work.

Fix separated zipper (slider not closing teeth), full step-by-step

This is the classic “I zip it and it just opens behind the slider” situation.

Inspect and test

1. Close the zipper as much as you can.
2. Look closely at the slider, is it wider at the back than at the front?
3. Check that the teeth/coil themselves look even and not destroyed.

If the teeth look fine, your slider is probably just too loose.

Gently open slider and realign tracks

1. Move the slider all the way to one end (usually the bottom).
2. Make sure both sides of the zipper tape are feeding evenly into the slider. No twisting, no folding.
3. Try closing it again while firmly holding the zipper tape straight.

If it still separates right away → time to tighten.

Crimp slider if loose

1. With the slider in the middle of the zipper, place your taped pliers gently on the sides of the slider.
2. Apply very light pressure to squeeze the slider just a bit. You’re narrowing the opening so it grips the teeth/coil more tightly.
3. Test every few squeezes. Don’t go overboard, too tight and it won’t move.

Often, a tiny adjustment is all it takes to fix a handbag zipper that keeps popping open.

Replace top/bottom stops, test and secure

If the slider has ever flown off the end, your stops might be damaged or missing.

1. If a top stop is loose or gone, slide the slider below that area.
2. Install a new top stop from your kit: place it on the tape and crimp gently with pliers.
3. Test the zipper fully a few times.
4. If the last few teeth near the bottom are unreliable, stitch a new bottom “stop” with thread right above them to shorten the working zipper slightly.

When done, zip and unzip a few dozen times. If it holds, you’ve just extended your bag’s life by years.

Fix stuck zipper, cleaning & lubrication method

If your zipper is stuck, don’t force it. That’s how teeth snap and sliders deform.

Remove debris

1. Look for thread, lint, or lining fabric caught in the teeth.
2. Gently pull out any visible threads with tweezers or your fingers.
3. If lining is jammed, slowly wiggle the slider back a millimeter, free a bit of fabric, and repeat. Think “tiny movements,” not yanking.

Protect handbag material

Before using any lubricant, protect the surrounding area:

• Place painter’s tape or washi tape around the zipper teeth if your bag is light-colored or delicate.
• Slide a piece of paper or plastic (an old loyalty card works) under the zipper area so wax or graphite doesn’t smear on the leather or lining.

Choose safe lubricant (wax, graphite, soap) and work slider back and forth

Use one of these:

• Candle or zipper wax: rub lightly along the teeth where it’s stuck.
• Pencil graphite: scribble on the teeth with a regular #2 pencil. Great for metal zippers.
• Bar soap: gently rub a tiny bit on the teeth (avoid heavily dyed soaps on light fabrics).

Then:

1. Gently try to move the slider back and forth in very small motions over the stuck zone.
2. Add a bit more lubricant if needed, but don’t cake it on.
3. Once it moves freely, wipe excess off the teeth with a soft cloth.

If it still doesn’t budge and the bag is expensive, this is your sign to pause and consider a pro before damage happens.

Repair an off-track zipper (slider came off one side)

You know this one: one side of the zipper is hanging loose, the slider is only holding one tape, and everything feels doomed. It’s not.

Remove stopper, reinsert tape into slider correctly, reposition stops, and test alignment

1. Identify which end the slider came off (usually the top).
2. With pliers, gently remove the top stop on that side only.
3. Pull the slider up and off the zipper completely.
4. Now feed both sides of the tape back into the slider at the same time, making sure the teeth/coil start at the same level. This part is fiddly, patience helps.
5. Once both sides are threaded, slowly pull the slider down to close the zipper. Check that the teeth line up perfectly.
6. Reinstall a new top stop where you removed the old one. Crimp it carefully.

If the tracks don’t match up, take a breath, pull the slider off, and try again. Once it’s re-aligned, it’ll behave like normal.

Replace a broken or missing zipper pull (temporary and permanent options)

Sometimes the zipper works fine: you just have nothing to grab. That’s the easiest fix.

Temporary fixes (keyring, paperclip, cord loop)

• Paperclip:

Hook it through the slider hole, bend it slightly closed. Not glamorous, but perfect in a pinch, I’ve seen this on more subway commutes than I can count.

• Small keyring:

Thread a tiny split ring through the hole. Add a charm or leftover keychain if you want it to look intentional.

• Cord loop:

Use a short piece of paracord, leather thong, or even a shoelace. Thread both ends through the slider hole, pull them through the loop to secure.

Permanent replacements (new pull, custom charm, soldered metal)

• Buy a zipper pull kit: Amazon and craft stores sell replacement pulls that snap or clip onto the slider. Look for metal ones if your bag is dressy.
• For leather handbags, you can attach a small leather tab that matches your straps for a custom look.
• Metal pulls on designer bags may be soldered or riveted, for those, it’s usually safer to have a cobbler or bag repair shop install a matching piece.

Replace a worn or damaged slider without removing the zipper

If tightening the slider didn’t work, you probably need a new slider.

How to choose the correct slider size

1. Look on the back or side of the current slider. You’ll often see a tiny number like 3, 5, 8 (the zipper size).
2. Match the type (coil, metal, plastic) and size with a replacement slider from your kit.
3. When in doubt, take a close-up photo and compare it while shopping online.

Step-by-step removal and installation, securing with stops

1. Move the old slider to the top.
2. Remove the top stops on both sides carefully with pliers.
3. Slide the old slider off completely.
4. Thread the new slider onto both sides of the tape at the same time, keeping the teeth aligned.
5. Pull the slider gently down to test closing.
6. Install new top stops above the slider’s topmost position and crimp firmly.

Test the zipper several times. If it glides smoothly and closes securely, you’ve just pulled off one of the most satisfying zipper repairs.

Repair broken or missing teeth (when repair is possible vs when to replace the zipper)

Here’s the tough-love part: fixing a handbag zipper with broken teeth is limited.

When repair is possible

• The broken or missing teeth are near the very top or bottom.
• The rest of the zipper works normally.

In those cases, you can:

• Shorten the zipper:
• Remove the top stop above the damage.
• Zip past the bad teeth if possible.
• Install new stops before the damaged section.

Result: your zipper is a bit shorter, but it reliably opens and closes.

• Sew around bad teeth:
• For coil zippers, you can hand-stitch a few tight bars of thread just before the damaged area so the slider never reaches it.

When to replace the zipper

• Teeth are missing or broken in the middle of the usable area.
• Multiple teeth are damaged.
• The slider keeps catching on a mangled section.

In structured or leather handbags, full zipper replacement generally means:

• Opening or partially removing the lining
• Completely removing the old zipper
• Stitching in a new one with a heavy-duty machine or careful hand sewing

For mid-range or high-end bags, this is almost always worth having a professional do, especially if you care about resale value.

Special care: repairing zippers on leather or designer handbags

If you’re working on a Coach, Kate Spade, Tory Burch, Gucci, LV, or any sentimental vintage bag, pause for a second.

Protecting leather and hardware

• Always put a soft cloth inside and under the zipper area so your tools don’t dent or scratch the leather.
• Don’t let wax, soap, or graphite smear onto light leather or suede: they can stain.

Adhesives to avoid

• Avoid super glue or hot glue near the zipper tape. They stiffen fabric and can freeze the slider in place.
• If you must glue frayed edges, use a flexible fabric glue sparingly and keep it away from the teeth.

Recommended professional repairs and warranty considerations

• Many designer brands offer authorized repair services or partner with repair shops. Check the brand’s website first.
• Local cobblers and leather repair shops often do zipper work on handbags for far less than replacing the bag.
• If your bag is still under warranty, don’t go wild with DIY. Document the issue and contact customer service first, some brands will replace or repair zippers for free.

The more expensive the bag, the more conservative your DIY should be. Tightening a slider? Reasonable. Ripping out the entire zipper with nail scissors? Maybe skip that.

Quick temporary fixes to keep your handbag usable now

Sometimes you just need your bag to survive today, you can do the proper fix this weekend.

Paperclip, safety pin, keyring loop, cord toggle: how to make each and when to use

• Paperclip pull
• Best for: missing pulls on casual bags.
• How: Hook the paperclip through the slider hole and slightly pinch it closed.
• Safety pin “stop”
• Best for: stopping the slider from going past a broken tooth or gap.
• How: Zip up to just before the damaged area. Pin a small safety pin through the zipper tape at that point to act as a temporary top stop.
• Keyring loop
• Best for: semi-permanent replacement pulls.
• How: Thread a tiny keyring onto the slider, then add a decorative charm or leftover zipper pull from another item.
• Cord toggle
• Best for: sporty or travel bags.
• How: Thread a thin cord or shoelace through the slider: secure both ends through a plastic toggle (from a hoodie or old backpack).

These won’t impress a handbag snob, but they’ll absolutely rescue you on a rushed Monday morning.

Fast fixes for stuck zippers (soap, wax, graphite) and when they are safe on leather or coated fabrics

Use these quick hacks wisely:

• Soap:
• Great on: dark fabrics, nylon, and inside linings.
• Risky on: light suede or open-grain leather (can leave marks).
• Wax (candle, beeswax):
• Great on: most fabrics and metal teeth.
• Go light on: patent leather or high-gloss finishes, wipe off any residue right away.
• Graphite (pencil):
• Great on: metal zippers, dark tapes.
• Risky on: very light-colored fabric or leather (can leave gray streaks).

If you’re unsure and the bag was expensive, test any lubricant on a hidden area first. If it stains the test spot? Don’t use it near the visible zipper.

When to DIY vs hire a professional (cost, time, and risk)

Before you spend two hours wrestling with a zipper on your favorite tote, it helps to know what a professional would charge, and when it’s honestly worth it.

Average cost and time estimates: quick fixes, slider replacement, full zipper replacement, lining repair

These are rough ballpark ranges (US-based, as of recent shop averages):

Repair Type	DIY Difficulty	Pro Cost (Approx.)	Turnaround
Lube/clean stuck zipper	Easy	Usually free or $5–$10	Same day
Tighten or replace slider	Easy–Medium	$15–$35	1–3 days
Replace entire zipper on fabric bag	Medium–Hard	$30–$70	3–10 days
Replace zipper on leather/designer bag	Hard	$60–$150+	1–3 weeks
Repair torn lining at zipper	Medium	$25–$60	3–10 days

DIY makes sense when:

• The bag is everyday, mid-range, or sentimental but not super valuable.
• The problem is stuck, separated, or off-track, not shredded teeth in the center.
• You’re comfortable with basic hand tools and a little patience.

Hire a professional when:

• The bag is luxury or vintage (LV, Chanel, Celine, etc.).
• The zipper needs complete replacement, especially on leather.
• Teeth are missing in the middle, or the zipper tape is torn away from the leather.

Designer and vintage bags: preserving value and recommended repair specialists

With designer bags, how you fix a handbag zipper can literally affect resale value.

• Check if your brand offers official repairs (Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel, and many others do). They may use original hardware and zippers that match perfectly.
• Ask local cobblers or leather specialists if they’ve worked on handbags from your brand. Don’t be shy about asking for before/after photos.
• In big cities, there are often specialty handbag repair shops that work almost exclusively on designer and vintage bags.

Rule of thumb: if replacing the bag would seriously hurt your wallet (or your heart), it’s usually worth paying a pro to handle the zipper.

Preventing future zipper problems (maintenance & storage)

Once you’ve managed to fix a handbag zipper, you probably don’t want to do it again anytime soon.

A few small habits will massively extend your zipper’s life.

Cleaning, lubricating schedule, proper use, avoiding overloading and safe storage tips

• Don’t overstuff your bag

Overloading stretches the zipper and tape. If you always have to fight to close it, something’s going to give.

• Zip along the curve, not against it

When your bag is bulging, gently push the sides together with your free hand as you zip. That takes pressure off the teeth.

• Clean zippers every few months
• Run a soft brush or dry toothbrush along the teeth to remove dust and lint.
• Wipe with a slightly damp cloth and dry fully.
• Light lubrication once or twice a year
• Rub a tiny amount of wax or graphite on the teeth, then zip/unzip several times.
• Wipe away extra so it doesn’t attract dirt.
• Store handbags properly
• Empty heavy items and loosely stuff the bag with tissue or soft fabric.
• Close the zipper so it doesn’t sit open and warped for months.
• Keep bags in dust bags or pillowcases in a cool, dry place, not jammed under other bags.

These tiny habits honestly matter more than any repair trick. A well-treated zipper can last as long as the bag itself.

 

Where to buy replacement parts and recommended products

You can absolutely walk into a big-box craft store and grab random zipper bits… but matching the right parts makes fixing a handbag zipper much smoother.

Replacement sliders, stopper kits, zipper tape, pulls, and trusted suppliers (links and SKU tips)

Look for:

• Replacement slider kits
• Search for “YKK zipper repair kit #3 #5” on Amazon or at Joann, Michaels, or Hobby Lobby.
• Look for mixed kits that include coil, metal, and plastic sliders in common handbag sizes.
• Stopper kits
• Small packs of top and bottom stops in silver, gold, and gunmetal.
• Handy if you’ve ever had a slider shoot straight off the end.
• Zipper tape by the yard
• If you’re brave enough for full replacements, buy continuous zipper tape (YKK or SBS are reliable brands) with separate sliders you can install.
• Choose #3 or #5 for most handbags.
• Pull replacements
• Packs of metal pulls with tiny hooks or clips that attach to existing sliders.
• Leather pull tabs that you can tie or rivet on for a more polished look.

Where to shop:

• Local fabric stores: Joann, independent fabric shops, some quilt stores.
• Online: Amazon, Wawak, ZipperStop, Etsy (for nicer pulls and designer-adjacent hardware colors).
• Shoe & bag repair shops: some will sell you individual sliders or stops and might even pop them on for a small fee.

When in doubt, bring the bag or a close-up photo of your zipper so staff or sellers can help you match size and type.

FAQ — quick answers to questions about fixing handbag zippers

Let’s hit a few questions that come up every time someone tries to fix a handbag zipper.

Can I glue a zipper?

Technically, yes. Should you? Usually no.

Glue near the teeth or slider tends to:

• Stiffen the zipper tape
• Seep into the teeth and lock them together
• Flake and look messy over time

If you must use glue, keep it far from the actual teeth and use a flexible fabric glue sparingly, mainly for frayed tape edges.

How to know if teeth are repairable

Ask yourself:

• Are the teeth just a bit bent or misaligned near the ends? → Often repairable.
• Are there chunks missing in the middle, or several broken teeth? → Usually not repairable: the zipper needs replacement.

Coil zippers are more forgiving, you can sometimes sew around a damaged coil area. Metal and molded plastic zippers with missing teeth? That’s nearly always a replacement job.

Will a new slider change color?

It might, depending on what you buy.

• If you use a random kit slider, the metal finish (gold vs brass vs nickel) may not match your existing hardware exactly.
• For everyday bags, a close-but-not-perfect match is usually fine.
• For designer bags, you may want to:
• Order from a specialty supplier that sells color-matched hardware, or
• Have a repair shop source a nearly identical slider.

Function first, then aesthetics, but you can usually get both pretty close.

Is it safe to use lubricants on my leather bag?

Yes, if you’re careful:

• Apply wax, soap, or graphite directly to the teeth only.
• Shield the leather with tape, paper, or a card while you work.
• Wipe off any excess immediately.

Always test products on a hidden area of the leather if you’re nervous. If it darkens or stains the test spot, don’t use it near visible areas.

Can I fix a zipper without sewing?

Absolutely, most zipper problems on handbags can be fixed without touching a needle:

• Stuck sliders → clean + lube
• Separated teeth from wear → tighten or replace slider
• Off-track sliders → remove stop, re-thread, add new stop
• Missing pulls → add clip-on or keyring pulls

You really only need sewing when:

• The zipper tape has pulled out of the seam
• You’re bypassing damaged coil sections
• You’re replacing the zipper entirely

So if you don’t sew, you can still successfully fix a handbag zipper in a lot of common situations.

Conclusion and next steps — keep your handbag zipper working longer

If you’ve read this far, you’re officially the kind of person who doesn’t toss a bag just because the zipper throws a tantrum.

You’ve seen how to:

• Diagnose what’s actually wrong instead of just yanking harder
• Fix a handbag zipper that’s stuck, separated, or off-track
• Patch things temporarily when you’re in a rush
• Decide when it’s smarter to hand the bag to a professional

Your next step is simple: pick one bag that’s been annoying you, the tote that won’t stay closed, the crossbody with the tiny broken pull, and give one of these repairs a try. Start with a low-risk bag so you can build confidence.

Once you’ve done it once, you stop seeing zippers as mysterious, unfixable things and start seeing them as what they are: a few pieces of metal or nylon that you can absolutely handle.

Treat your zippers kindly, don’t overstuff your bags, and keep a tiny repair kit on hand. Your future self, the one zipping a fully functional handbag five minutes before leaving the house, is going to be very grateful you took the time to learn how to fix a handbag zipper today.