Have you ever noticed the tiny “extra” pocket on your jeans?
Jeans are a popular fashion item for all ages and social classes. They are loved for their simple designs and versatility, making them suitable for various occasions. Moreover, the denim material is quite durable, holds its shape well, flatters the wearer’s figure, and never goes out of style.
For women, these small “fake” pockets serve decorative purposes, adding a highlight to the outfit. However, if you pay attention, you will notice that on all jeans, whether for men or women, regardless of the design, there is a tiny pocket located inside one of the front pockets. So, what is the purpose of this seemingly useless little pocket?
What is the purpose of this “extra” pocket?
Standard jeans typically have two front pockets and two back pockets, which already provide ample space for storage. So, did jean manufacturers create this “extra fabric” just for fun? There have been many speculations about the function of this pocket: for coins, for gold, and even as a place to store condoms.
Finally, a reasonable explanation was found from the creator of jeans, the brand Levi’s, which referred to this peculiar pocket as the watch pocket. True to its name, the small pocket was designed by Levi Strauss to hold a pocket watch, also known as a fob pocket, at a time when wristwatches were not yet popular.
As jeans became more widespread, people began to utilize this little pocket to store small items like coins, keys, or simply as a style accent of their outfit.
Some believe it’s perfect for holding coins.
There are also suggestions that it’s a perfect hiding spot for condoms.
The correct answer comes from the world’s largest jeans brand Levi’s; this pocket is for holding pocket watches, simply because when jeans were invented, people hadn’t yet started using wristwatches.
In addition to the tiny pocket on the side, another detail of jeans that raises questions about its purpose is the small leather patch at the waistband. This is where the brand logo is printed, and this small leather piece is referred to as Jacron.
Levi’s was the pioneering brand for this design. Besides the inner label, since 1873, the “king of jeans” has created a small leather patch with its logo, a symbol of the brand, sewn on the outside of the jeans. This is a way for them to protect their brand and products while also making it easier for consumers to identify authentic items.
Other brands followed suit, and gradually, these little leather patches became a default feature of jeans. This design remains popular to this day. In fact, in 2018, American Eagle opened AE Studio in New York City, allowing customers to create their own Jacron.
