Have you ever wondered about that tiny, almost useless pocket inside your jeans? It’s just big enough for a couple of coins, but not much more. Though it might seem like an unnecessary feature today, this small pocket actually has a rich history that dates back over a century. Originally introduced by Levi Strauss & Co. in the 1890s, its purpose was to hold pocket watches, which were common accessories at the time.
The mini pocket first appeared in Levi’s design after Strauss and his partner, J.W. Davis, filed a patent for “Improvement in Fastening Pocket Openings” in 1873. The iconic “Lot 501” jeans, released in 1890, featured this tiny pocket, which remains a part of the design in modern 501 jeans. Over the years, though, as pocket watches became obsolete, the small pocket continued to be part of Levi’s jeans, more as a historical feature than a practical one.
Levi Strauss & Co. historian Tracey Panek explained the significance of the tiny pocket in a conversation with Insider. She noted that the oldest pair of Levi jeans, dating back to 1879, also featured the watch pocket. Interestingly, these small pockets were never included in suit trousers, as formal attire typically used vest pockets to hold pocket watches, a practice that Strauss himself followed.
While the mini pocket no longer serves its original purpose, it has become a nostalgic element of Levi’s designs, preserving the aesthetic of their early jeans. The overall design of Levi’s jeans has remained largely the same since the 19th century, with only small changes, like the removal of metal rivets during WWII to conserve materials. Today, Levi’s keeps the pocket as part of their design legacy.
Though the tiny pocket no longer holds a pocket watch, it’s still used by some for small items like coins, keys, or rings. Other brands have also adopted this feature, sometimes placing it in different locations or hiding it within larger pockets. Today, the pocket serves as a reminder of the jeans’ casual origins and remains a staple in denim fashion.
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