Have you ever wondered what that microscopic pocket on the front of many pants is for? It doesn’t fit your phone, your wallet, or even makeup or a tissue – what is this pocket really?
Many see it as just another design detail, but this detail has a history that dates back to the first jeans… in the 19th century! Below we are going to tell you what the mystery of this little pocket is so that you don’t have any doubts, you learn something new every day!
What are the origins of this garment?
The jean is already an “old man”, and it is more than a hundred years old, having been created in 1873 when factory workers were looking for durable and resistant garments. Designed by Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis, these pants quickly became a success (and as we would say now, they went “viral”). The curious thing about these jeans is that, from the beginning, they came with five pockets (two at the back, two at the front and the small pocket that brings us here today just above one of those front pockets).
And what was this little pocket for?
We’ll reveal the mystery to you, and that is that this pocket was originally called a “pocket watch”, that is, it was a compartment designed to store the pocket watches that were so popular in the 19th century. Perhaps, now it sounds strange to us to think of carrying a pocket watch with us because we have the time in practically all the places we want (our cell phones, smart watches, and even in our cars). So, it’s strange for us. But this specific place made it possible for people (men mostly) to have their watch quickly and easily accessible without the risk of it falling or getting damaged.
And now, what is it for?
As time went by and technology advanced, pocket watches were replaced by wristwatches, but this pocket has survived as a little nod to that era, and it is now a feature of these pants!
Nowadays, people often use this small compartment to store coins, lighters or chewing gum, although it is not practical, it has been renovated to find another use.
A historical garment
You’ve already seen that they’re almost two hundred years old, but who are Levi Straus and Jacob Davis? A businessman and a tailor respectively, who were crazy about designing a garment that would last a long time for workers (originally miners and farmers) who spent more time in conditions where it was essential to have long-lasting products. The funny thing about this is that, once they tested this denim fabric, the price would seem ridiculous to us now, they cost approximately 1.5 dollars! Not even in a thirft store today! But, for the time, they were quite reasonably priced and expensive!! But they became a very popular option among those people who needed strong clothing to do their jobs.
How to make your jeans last longer?
Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your jeans:
To keep your jeans looking new for longer, wash them as little as possible, and don’t worry about looking “dirty.” When you do, turn them inside out and use cold water to preserve the colour and texture. Finally, avoid using dryers and let them air dry to prevent them from wearing out.
Next time you think that this pocket is pointless, just think that it could have been removed many years ago, but it has remained as a small reminder of its beginnings, and even though its function has now completely changed, it is still a symbol of the first design of these jeans. Remember that every jean tells a story!