Why do you need a pocket in women's jeans? What is this small pocket on jeans for? New technologies and the special purpose of the small pocket in Levi’s jeans models
A small pocket on jeans has always interested inquisitive people. It has even become the subject of widespread controversy, because it is not easy to get anything out of it, but at the same time it is difficult to lose it. Let's try to figure it out.
Background
Jeans were originally used as work clothes for gold miners and, of course, an attribute of cowboys. Pockets on cowboys' jeans were an indispensable part of their combat uniform, because they could hide a folding military cap or a cap (a detonator, a piston for a powder charge in a firearm). Levi Strauss invented this type of clothing in 1853 and called it “topless overalls.” It looks like all five pockets of the overalls went to the trousers. This was the period of the “gold rush”, when prospectors precious metal It was convenient to store small nuggets in the tiny fifth pocket. For the first time small pocket appeared on Levi's jeans in 1873. It was Levi's 501 XX model. Such a pocket is listed in the company’s catalog as a watch pocket, and its creator is considered to be the American designer Michael Regalo.
Versions
We have already named two versions. But there are other assumptions. The number of versions of why jeans have a small pocket is amazing.
- Handymen kept nails or small coins in a small pocket.
- According to one version, Michael Regalo, as a joke, invented a small pocket for those who could hide ecstasy (an illegal drug) in it during a police raid. Therefore, the nickname “drugs packet” was assigned to the pocket.
- According to another version, Mark Lidin sewed the fifth pocket specifically for his talisman - a small stone that brings him good luck.
If you continue to think about what a small pocket on jeans is for, you can find out that:
- An important accessory for cowboys has always been a lighter. The size of the small pocket was allegedly specially adjusted to fit the Zippo lighter. Nowadays, the pocket takes on the dimensions of a Cricket accessory, which has earned a good reputation.
- This item of clothing was used for watches, which were previously worn on a chain attached to the belt.
- They contained contraceptives, the packaging of which corresponded to the size of the pocket, as well as romantic messages or engagement rings.
Creative
You can continue to investigate the fact of why a small pocket on jeans is needed for a long time. But it’s still interesting to see how in our time they manage to squeeze mobile phone or hook on your sunglasses.
Now attention, surprise! Levi's, the most famous brand in America and the world, focuses on innovative technology and creativity, has developed a new stylish model of Redwire Levi DLX jeans, which contains built-in retractable headphones, a joystick, contact terminals under white leather on a small pocket. The four-way joystick allows you to adjust the volume of the player without removing it from your pocket. Thanks to the jeans, the user also has the opportunity to control the image on the screen of his iPod. Jeans can be washed without fear, because all devices can be unfastened along with the pocket.
Now you know what a small pocket on jeans is for, but don’t rush to conclusions. Surely they will find some other use for it that can surprise with its novelty. And the small pocket will again be the subject of great controversy.
Jeans from different manufacturers, different styles and different colors are united by one small common detail - a small pocket, the purpose of which has been debated for years. There are five pocket-denim versions especially for our readers.
Version No. 1 “Golden”
There is a version that a small pocket on jeans appeared during the gold rush. Successful miners put the gold bars they found in it.
Version No. 2 “Financial”
Today it is difficult to imagine that there were times when a few coins were enough to pay for some necessary trifle. It was for coins that the additional very small pocket on the jeans was intended. However, it is also very convenient to carry banknotes there.
Version No. 3 “Tobacco”
There is an opinion that the size of the smallest jeans pocket and its shape clearly indicate that it is intended for lighters of the legendary Zippo brand. When these lighters became popular, many men rushed to purchase them, and the pocket ensured that the valuable item would not be lost.
Version No. 4 “Sentry”
Another version about the purpose of the smallest denim pocket says that its appearance is associated with the fashion for watches on chains. It was for this accessory that the jeans were “awarded” with a special pocket.
Version No. 5 “Unromantic”
Since their inception, jeans have become the favorite clothing of workers. This is understandable - the new trousers were comfortable and durable. And the additional pocket was intended for workers to keep various small parts in it, for example, nuts or nails.
Fans of sports shoes will find it useful to know.
Probably many people wondered why we need tiny pocket on jeans? After all, it is so small that it is impossible to put anything in it.
Or maybe it's just an unusual design decision. But there must be a logical explanation for any decision that is not even standard or practical.
Therefore, we will now plunge into history and return one and a half centuries ago, to the USA, where the world's first denim trousers were created and sewn.
When did they appear
Gin appeared in the USA in 1853. Originally intended as work clothes for farmers. A little later they were chosen by cowboys. And after some time, they entered the world of fashion and became an integral part of every person’s wardrobe. They have firmly taken first positions in the fashion world, and they are not inferior to anyone even in the 21st century.
Why is there a small pocket on jeans?
There are several versions, let's look at each of them.
For watches
The most common version is that the tiny pocket served for a pocket watch on a chain. Very fashionable and popular at that time.
For Zippo lighter
For Zippo lighters, which were very popular at that time. They easily fit into a pocket, and it was even easier and faster to get it out of there. After all, this type of clothing was worn by cowboys, and they, as you know, smoked.
For gold
So that gold miners would put gold nuggets in it. After all, if a pocket is accidentally wiped, then all its contents will not fall out, but will end up in another, larger one.
For small change
Well, a very simple and banal version, for small details, for example: small money.
Why do we need a small pocket now?
Many people do not pay any attention to it at all, and do not store anything in it. And some have found a modern use for it and put a lighter or condoms in it, bank card, house keys.
And in the comments you can leave your opinion about why a tiny pocket is needed on jeans.
There are several options for the purpose of the small pocket, which is an integral part of the classic model of jeans from Levi׳s and other brands. To try to answer the question “Why do you need a tiny pocket on jeans?”, you need to look into the past and understand the history of the appearance of the “mysterious” detail on branded clothing.
Historical facts about the appearance of a small pocket on jeans
Jeans have been worn by blue-collar workers (cowboys, miners, farmers, construction workers, gold miners, and miners) in America since 1873. The appearance of these clothes was facilitated by the entrepreneur Levi Strauss (Levi Strauss), an immigrant from Bavaria, who decided to create comfortable and durable workwear from work overalls by removing the upper part. For his invention, he received patent No. 139121 from the US Patent and Trademark Office, allowing the sewing of “strapless work overalls with pockets for a knife, money and coins.”
By 1880, jeans under the world famous Levi's brand had all the distinctive elements that are present in modern models:
- Well-defined decorative stitching on the seams and pockets with orange threads.
- A securing stitch in vulnerable places - the corners of pockets.
- Rivets and buttons in the form of “bolts” for fastening.
- Leather patch with company logo.
- Small pocket “coin pocket”, which is located on the front leg above the right large pocket.
It is this small detail that causes numerous debates and disputes about its intended purpose. There are several versions and they all have a place to exist.
Options for using a tiny pocket
From English the name “coin pocket” is translated as “pocket for coins”. Its presence was quite justified and rational at the time of the invention of jeans, since in America there was a boom in gold miners working in the mines, and a “cache” was used to hide an expensive find. Also, paper banknotes were not in use, but were mainly paid with coins. Thanks to the identical dimensions with the fifth pocket on the jeans, the coins were well kept in it and could not fall out. Today, the small pocket has practically lost its purpose.
In their original design, the pockets had dimensions corresponding to the knife and Zippo lighter that most cowboys of the Wild West used. Even when riding a horse quickly, it was impossible to lose such accessories. IN modern version The parameters of the pocket are adjusted to the famous and most popular lighter in the world of the Criket brand.
There is another common version, which is quite acceptable and has a logical rationale for the presence of a small part. Another English name “watch pocket” translates as “watch pocket,” so it is likely that the additional element on the jeans was intended for a pocket watch on a chain that was attached to the jeans belt on a belt loop.
Today, a small pocket is used to carry a lighter, flash drive, MP3 player, contraceptives and other small items that fit in size. The latest achievement of fashion is Levi's jeans with headphones and a player built into the pocket. Among other things, the small detail also serves a decorative function, and it is no longer possible to imagine jeans without this additional element.
Reading time: 4 minutes
Every year, more than 450,000 pairs of jeans are sold in America alone, not to mention the rest of the world. And how many owners of this wardrobe item have wondered why there is a small pocket on jeans and who invented it. To many, the part may seem completely inappropriate and inconvenient, especially when small objects get stuck, when the finger treacherously does not fit into a tight space. But without a pocket, jeans will no longer be real jeans. It is clear that this is not just a piece of decoration, and it is not a matter of fashionable characteristics; originally it had a specific function. Designers and historians are still arguing about what exactly the pocket was intended for, and some of the versions even sound absurd.
A little history or the main version of the small pocket
The history of the appearance of denim products goes back to the distant 15th century. Italian sailors made trousers by sewing together coarse linen fabric, since there was no need to sew sails. Subsequently, canvas clothing began to be called “Jenes”, and then the sound changed to American, and “Jenes” turned into “Jeans”.
In 1853, Levi Strauss decided to sew pants for sale for $1.20. The canvas pants turned out to be so comfortable that the young tailor began to have queues of customers. Later, Levi began to look for clients by visiting gold mines.
In the 1860s, canvas products fell in demand because the pockets were quickly torn off by the weight of gold nuggets and gold mining tools. This influenced Jacob Davis, who came up with a special device to strengthen the pocket area.
Interesting fact
Soon a new complaint was received - small gold grains were lost in the stretched compartments of the pockets. So tailors came up with a way to secure the gold they found by sewing an extra tiny pocket onto the pants.
This is how the history of the American company Levi’s began.
Small pocket in the masses
It’s clear how the first small pocket on jeans appeared, but when did it happen? global change, and they started sewing on pockets not for gold miners, but for the ordinary population of America? In 1890, Levi's decided to follow fashion trends and develop special-sized pockets for watches on a chain. Around the same time period, watches for global consumption were released, offering simple, rugged, but reliable models that became favorites among cowboys and hard workers. In the brand's catalogue, the pocket is designated as “Watch Pocket”.
Interesting fact
Most consider the small attribute to be the fifth pocket on jeans, however, the fifth appeared only in 1901, and was considered the second back pocket.
Other pocket versions
The fashion for watches with a chain is a thing of the past, but why are there pockets left? Representatives of the American brand claim that they have not deprived denim pants of a classic attribute, from simple desire maintain the original appearance. Not all historians adhere to the version of the creation of the denim pocket by gold miners and those who like to track the passage of time, so other creation stories have appeared.
For the cowboys
Jeans, initially, are an American brand, therefore, the primacy of creating a pocket is given to cattle herders from the Wild West:
- the first version of the cowboy story is based on the addiction to smoking, so the small pocket is designed to store a lighter, which fits perfectly, and during the races smoking accessories do not get lost;
- the second option lies in the attitude of the American towards firearms- the pocket was used to store special primers that ignite the powder charge.
For workers
Initially, why do you need a pocket, there was a version designed for the convenience of a simple worker, where it was easy to find small items in the pocket: nails, hardware, rivets, pins. With constant movement and bending of the body, the size of the pocket did not allow a sharp object to dig into the body. Thanks to its dimensions, a folding knife could easily fit into the pocket, which simplified the search for the necessary tool.
For storing coins
In the distant past, to pay for needs, a couple of minted coins were enough, which could get lost in bulky pants pockets. But it turned out to be convenient to throw small money into a narrow pocket, which gave rise to the version of the appearance of an additional detail. Later, with the advent of payphones, the pocket began to be used to store small change, which made it possible to easily pay for a telephone conversation.
In fact, all this is more suitable not for appearance versions, but for what a small pocket on jeans can be used for. And, thanks to the changes in modern world, this detail is not so unnecessary.
For owners of denim products, the pocket is a kind of secret storage that everyone uses for their own purpose:
- storage place for glasses (if you put the frames in your pocket, the glasses will not be damaged);
- a safe place for contraceptives;
- medicines;
- MP3 player or iPod;
- chewing gum;
- ticket with public transport;
- talisman and so on.
battery in a safe place
candy for those with a sweet tooth
lip gloss in a small pocket
Today, the famous Levi's brand is still one step ahead. And now, a mini detail in the new Red Wire DLX a leather pad appeared with a built-in music system together with an iPod, including: headphones, terminals and a special joystick. So, in the denim world, the small pocket continues to improve and does not lose its practicality.
A short video that answers the question “why is there a small pocket on jeans?”: