The small pocket in jeans seems pointless, but it has played an important role in the history of jeans.
The historical small pocket can be found inside the front pocket of the jeans. MEIRI UTTI/KL
Have you ever wondered why your jeans have a seemingly useless little pocket? Even though today at most a lighter, headphone case or key can be slipped into it, the original purpose of the pocket goes back more than a hundred years.
The small pocket of the jeans comes from the original blue jeans of the American jeans manufacturer Levi Strauss, which were called “waist overalls” at the end of the 19th century, according to the American newspaper Business Insider.
The small pocket became widely used in 1890 in the Lot 501 jean model, which later served as a model for the current Levi’s 501 jeans.
At the end of the 19th century, jeans were worn Carlings including mainly cowboys and miners. Since wristwatches were not yet in general use, many carried a pocket watch with them. The small pocket of the jeans was designed to store and protect the watch during work and movement.
Sometimes the pocket was also used to store small coins.
Over the years, people gave up pocket watches and mostly coins too. In theory, there is no longer any use for the pocket, but we wanted to save it.
Many denim brands have a long history to which they like to pay tribute. That’s why we wanted to keep the jeans the same as before. A small pocket has become a familiar feature of jeans, and its absence even makes jeans look strange to some.
