Ojales

Ojales is the plural form of ojal, a term used in textiles and leatherwork to denote reinforced openings in fabric, leather, or other materials. Ojales function as holes for buttons, buckles, or cords, and can also refer to metal eyelets that reinforce a hole. The word is standard in Spanish-speaking clothing manufacture, tailoring, and shoemaking.

In garments, an ojal refers to a buttonhole, a small slit reinforced with stitching along its edges. Buttonholes may be bound (with a narrow fabric strip) or machine-made, using dense stitches around the cut. The size and stitch count depend on fabric weight and intended use. The plural ojales appears when multiple buttonholes or lacing holes are present, such as on a shirt front or a pair of shoes.

In leather goods and accessories, an ojal can also denote a punched hole reinforced with stitching or with a metal eyelet or grommet. Eyelets are common for laces, belts, or drawstrings, and are installed with a setting tool to press the ring into place. The term also covers decorative or functional holes perforated for ventilation or design.

Language and usage: the term originates in Spanish; in English contexts, ojales are usually described as buttonholes or eyelets, depending on the function. The plural form is used when referring to several openings in a single item or a range of products.