When you think of a pair of jeans, you probably think of their durability, how comfortable they are, the small pocket on the right side, but… what about the metal buttons that adorn those pockets? Would you be able to tell us what these little details mean? Well, these small rivets have an origin that very few people know about, and we’re going to tell you all about it today!
In fact, these metal buttons were first placed to reinforce the seams in the areas that suffer the most from daily use. Thanks to them, denim pants could withstand the wear and tear of demanding jobs without tearing easily.
An invention born out of necessity
To find the origin of these copper rivets, we have to travel back to 1873, the year tailor Jacob Davis decided to solve a recurring problem: pants would rip at the seams, especially in professions like mining or carpentry. Together with Levi Strauss, they patented these reinforcements, which soon became the standard in the world of denim fabric.
What started as a functional improvement quickly became a hallmark of jeans, remaining in fashion even though current manufacturing techniques no longer require it.
Are metal buttons still necessary?
Today, the metal buttons on jeans are not essential for durability, since the seams are more modern and allow the pants to better withstand tension. However, brands keep them as a tribute to history and as a symbol of authenticity. After all, what would a good pair of jeans be without those iconic metal details?
The mysterious small pocket
Another element that goes along with these buttons is that tiny front pocket that many people overlook. Although today it seems more decorative than useful, in the 19th century it was used to store pocket watches, since many workers’ watches would break… Back then there were no SmartWatches or anything like that, and you needed somewhere to store them so they wouldn’t get damaged.
Why are jeans blue?
You’ve probably wondered why most jeans have that characteristic blue colour. The reason lies in indigo, a natural dye that only covers the outer layer of the cotton fibres. This allows the colour to fade evenly with each use, giving that worn-in look that adds so much flow to an outfit. Plus, the blue helps to hide dirt, did you know that?
The legacy of the buttons
So, even though today they’re no longer needed to reinforce the seams, they have become a nostalgic nod to a time when clothing had to withstand the harshest working conditions. Did you know that jeans were originally made for that?
What were jeans for?
They were workwear for miners, farmers, and labourers who needed clothes that could stand up to daily use in pretty tough environments, in addition to being comfortable since they’d be worn for hours on end. That’s how jeans were born: as a symbol of durability and practicality that we still wear today, even though we’re no longer digging in mines!
The origin of the term “jeans”
The word “jeans” comes from the French “bleu de Gênes” (blue of Genoa), referring to the Italian city where this type of fabric was made. Over time, the garment became popular in the United States and was transformed into the cultural icon we know today.
The next time you put on your favourite jeans, take a moment to appreciate those small metal buttons that, even though they may seem like simple decorations, hold over 150 years of history and a whole lot of resilience and style!
And you, did you know what those small buttons were really for?