What is the name of the small pocket in jeans?
Since the appearance of the fifth pocket in jeans, there have been several variations of its names. All of them determine the purpose of this element of denim trousers. The options are:
- Drugs packet, or medicine package - used to store medications;
- Watch pocket – pocket watch (in Levi's catalogues, pocket has this literal translation);
- Funny pocket - funny pocket (occurred due to the fact that illegal drugs were hidden there);
- Coin pocket or pocket for coins - used for money.
Levi's 501 Fifth Pocket commercial
That's why your pants have a tiny pocket that's too small to use
Have you ever noticed that little pocket on your jeans?
It's too small to be useful. But in the old days it had an important purpose: a pocket watch was kept in the pocket.
The ubiquity of pockets can be traced back to the design of "waist overalls", the original name for blue jeans from Levi Strauss & Co (or simply Levis). This pocket was first put into mass use in 1890 with the Lot 501 jeans, a model of Levi's jeans.
"The watch pocket was a signature feature of our first belted overalls," Tracy Panek, Levi Strauss & Co. historian, told INSIDER. “The oldest pair of belted overalls in the Levi Strauss & Co. archives. [since 1879] includes a watch pocket."
Since the small pocket was intended for a pocket watch, it is usually not found in trousers, as a rule it is only present in jeans. Since jackets already have a large watch pocket, which makes a pocket in pants redundant. According to Panek, Levi Strauss himself kept a pocket watch in the vest of his business suit.
Pants with a tiny pocket are called "five-pocket pants," but the tiny pocket isn't actually a fifth pocket. The fifth pocket is actually on the back left, added to Levi's 501 jeans in 1901.
“Our 19th-century overalls had one back pocket on the right side of the pants under a leather patch,” Panek said. “It was riveted at the top two corners and included our signature arched design called Arcuate, stitched with a single needle sewing machine.”
Today they are practically useless.
Almost no one today carries a pocket watch. People tend to check the time on their phones or wristwatches. Panek says Levi's jeans today still have small pockets to maintain the integrity of the original design.
“The watch pocket was an original element of our blue jeans, such as the rivets on our pockets, the button down, the arched seams on the back pocket and the leather patch,” Panek said. "To maintain the integrity of the early designs, Levi Strauss & Co. supports watch pocket production.”
Other trousers have a pocket as a nod to pocket watches. The style gives the pants a more casual look.
Different brands add a small pocket in different places. Some people put it in the front, next to the large pocket. Others have a smaller pocket in a regular-sized side pocket.
But for Levi's jeans, virtually nothing has changed since the 19th century. The only exception, Panek said, was during World War II.
“One interesting fact about the watch pocket is that during World War II, the two corner rivets were removed as a way to preserve the metal for the war effort,” Panek said. “The rivets returned to the watch pocket after the war.”
There's not much you can do with a small pocket these days. Some people suggest using them to store coins or keys, but you have to dig around in your thigh to get anything out. Others recommend them for condoms and tickets, but they are difficult to remove unless your fingers are very small. Probably the pockets will only be somewhat useful for carrying small jewelry.
For the most part, these pockets are now ignored and should only be thought of as a part of history that is still with us.
You may also be interested in the history of jeans.
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History of appearance
The appearance of jeans is associated with the name of Leib Strauss from Bavaria. During the anti-Semitic period, the future designer Leib Strauss, born into a Jewish family, changes his name to Levi Strauss and goes to America. At that time, and this was around the 1800s, there was a gold rush going on there. Levi gives up the race for gold and decides that the best way to get rich is to take care of the workers. The young man is engaged in trade, selling fabrics and haberdashery.
One day, having successfully sold all the goods, he discovered that only a roll of cheap hemp canvas remained. Levi Strauss realized that it would be difficult to sell it, so he made trousers, which were quickly snapped up by prospectors. This was the beginning of the history of jeans. In 1853, Levi Strauss and his cousin opened the first one. Hemp fabric was replaced by light blue and blue denim.
The quality of the material was liked by the workers who worked in the mines. Pants were highly valued due to their strength, reliability, and durability. The cowboys of the Wild West also liked these trousers, which, like the cowboy hat, became the personification of that era. The period of the gold rush, the times of cowboys, was marked by the fact that then trousers were invented, the fashion for which remains even after more than a hundred years.
In 1873, American Michael Regalo, who is the designer of the Levi's brand, came up with a new model of jeans - 501 XX. It differed in that a special pad was sewn inside the right compartment, which fit tightly to the fabric, had certain dimensions and strict standards. According to historians of the fashion industry, it was originally intended for wearing pocket watches, but then another purpose appeared - for storing gold-mined nuggets. Then the pocket was the fourth, not the fifth: the classic jeans of that time - with one back pocket.
How the first jeans appeared. The very first jeans were created by Levi Strauss
What is such a pocket for?
Today, when pocket watches are no longer in favor, this pocket is usually empty. And yet there are other uses for it. Even at the dawn of the 20th century, this pocket was not only for watches, but also for coins or other small items .
Gold miners put tiny nuggets in it, carpenters kept nails handy, and cowboys stowed the popular Zippo lighters in it. Humanity has moved from pocket watches to phones and smart bracelets, and many convenient fanny packs have been created for workers. Is it possible to rethink and modernize the purpose of the pocket and make it useful again? Why is it needed today?
For lighter or watch
Of course, for many, a pocket watch is an accessory from the last century. Just like a valuable lighter that you want to carry in your pocket so as not to damage the case. However, both in the last century and today, these are elegant accessories that can declare the refined taste of the owner.
For change and banknotes in a tube
Every year there are more and more wallets designed to store bank and bonus cards, rather than coins or paper money. But what to do with them if a colleague did not transfer money for lunch to the card, but gave it in cash? They can easily be temporarily placed in this small pocket so as not to be lost.
For intimate items or pills
What could be more awkward than rummaging through your bag for a condom when you really need one? If you place it in a convenient place, where only he will be, getting it out will not be difficult. The interesting thing is that the pocket will also fulfill its historical function - to protect the surface from damage . As with tablets, the blister will not be damaged if you put it in your jeans.
For the mascot
During an exam, an important event or other exciting event, it is always nice to have a small thing that gives you strength. Maybe it will be that lucky coin or pendant that friends, brother or sister gave. It would be especially annoying to lose such a valuable item, and a small jeans pocket is a safe place.
For working tool
Everyone has had a situation where having a corkscrew, knife or screwdriver would greatly simplify the situation. Yes, there was a corkscrew somewhere in the glove compartment, but the car was parked. The knife along with a compact set of screwdrivers were always in the briefcase, but at that moment they were left at home. To avoid such annoying situations, just buy a multitool and always carry it with you in a convenient small pocket on the front.
For cosmetics and hygiene items
Ladies will be pleased to know that small lipsticks or tampons can easily fit into this pocket. If you don’t know the history of its appearance, it seems to be created for objects that resemble cartridges in shape. Essential items will always be with you.
What was a tiny pocket on jeans used for before?
There are three versions, which is why the Levi's designer came up with a fifth pocket on jeans. They are as follows:
- For wearing pocket watches on a chain. Back then, this small compartment was sewn a little larger than the modern one. This was necessary so that the watch on the chain could fit in it.
- A place to store small parts that workers need.
- For Zippo lighters, which were actively used by almost all cowboys. It is believed that for this reason, over time, the pockets became smaller in size - the way people are used to seeing them now.
WHY DO YOU NEED THIS SMALL POCKET ON YOUR JEANS???
Watch
19th century fashion suggested the use of watches on a chain rather than watches on bracelets. Judging by the name “watch pocket”, it is not difficult to guess that a watch was worn in the smallest part of the pants. Considering that jeans are work clothes, holding the item in other places was inconvenient. The chain was attached to a leather belt, belt loop or belt, and the watch itself was kept in the pocket. True, it was not very comfortable: when wearing it on the side, I constantly felt discomfort due to the fact that the watch put pressure on my thigh.
Coins
Another version of what the pocket compartment was used for is money. Coin pocket is a great place to store cash. At that time, paper banknotes were almost never used in America, so this cut of pants helped to quickly find and easily get small coins. The version that a small pocket was specially sewn for this purpose is quite realistic and justified.
Gold nuggets
The gold rush was a very difficult time. Gold miners worked in the mines day and night. The search for nuggets was very active, so there was a risk of losing the find. And there were many hunters for other people's prey. At this time, jeans with a small, secure compartment in which gold could be safely hidden became especially popular.
Small items
After Levi Strauss separated the upper part from the overalls and patented his invention, the pants became especially popular among the working class of the population. It is believed that a small pocket on jeans is intended for small items, small things that should not be lost and should always be at hand. Strong, durable denim fabric securely stored bolts, nuts, terminals, nails, and screws. Even a penknife could be carried in this compartment.
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Lighters
A hundred years ago, as now, a small pocket on jeans was perfect for storing lighters. During the days of cowboys, Zippos were popular, which fit in a small front pocket. Even when moving at high speed on horseback, nothing was lost. After a while, Zippo was replaced by Cricket lighters, which also fit perfectly into this decorative detail of the pants.
Medicines
The name “drugs pocket” suggests that the shallow compartment in jeans was intended to store medications. There is a version that Regalo himself created this pocket to hide illegal drugs in it. After police raids, a couple of narcotic tablets could often be found in pockets. Many consider this version dubious, but it has its place.
Personal talismans
People who constantly carry various amulets and talismans with them try to keep them as close to themselves as possible, but so that they are hidden from prying eyes. A small pocket compartment is best suited for this, which will reliably hide such an attribute and prevent the accessory from falling out or being detected by prying eyes. Wearing personal talismans is another version of the appearance of the fifth jeans pocket.
Use Cases
Just because a part was invented for a specific purpose does not mean that it should be used strictly for its intended purpose. In past centuries, people knew how to find a use for a pocket that was smaller in size than others. Why was a small pocket on jeans needed in past centuries:
- Cowboys kept lighters in it. There is a version that the size was specially adjusted to fit the Zippo accessory. Pocket sizes on modern models are more suitable for Cricket lighters;
- Previously, the pocket was ideal for carrying a pocket watch with a chain. Nowadays it might also be suitable if antique watches were fashionable. Although someone in the modern world uses this technique to give the image a touch of antiquity;
- With the advent of contraceptives, the pocket began to be used for storing them. The packaging size was just right;
- Lovers who hid their feelings from strangers for various reasons kept messages to each other and wedding rings in their pockets.
But modern people are not inferior in creativity. Why do we need a small pocket on jeans now:
- Owners of small phones manage to stick them inside. As a result, the phone is tightly compressed, and this additionally protects it from falling;
- Many have seen fashionistas hooking their sunglasses onto their shirt. Some people use a device on their jeans for this purpose;
- Levi's has developed a new unusual model of jeans. It is notable for the fact that the pocket is detachable. But it’s much more interesting why it comes unfastened. It has built-in headphones, a joystick and contact devices for adjusting sound and picture. The entire device allows you to change the volume without removing the player. When you need to wash your jeans, the pocket with the device can be easily unfastened;
- Coins are also stored in large pockets. But some people are bothered by their ringing. Changes won't jingle in a small pocket.
Some ideas for using denim pieces:
- keys;
- leaflets with important information;
- flash drives.
If someone has no place to store small items and is afraid of losing them, feel free to buy jeans with a small pocket.
Surely there are many other unknown ideas in the world for using a mysterious piece of clothing that ordinary people came up with. Why do you need a small pocket on your jeans?
For money
Player
Lighter
Condoms
Modern Application
The classic shape of jeans with five pockets has become established and is still used today. The modern use of the smallest compartment is not much different from what it was a hundred years ago, but several new reasons have been added to use a pocket. In the days of payphones, small change could easily fit there; now they carry subway tokens, travel tickets, paper clips, chewing gum, paper money and other small items there. Often the pocket is used to store contraceptives.
Levi's Red Wire DLX jeans with built-in player
A new product from Levi's that has appealed to many music lovers, a product developed in conjunction with the iPod is the Red Wire DLX jeans. Their peculiarity is that they are equipped with a built-in, almost invisible player. The device is equipped with retractable headphones and a joystick that allows you to control the iPod without taking it out. The device does not cause any discomfort to the owner, is easily removed, and after removal, the pants can be washed. There are options for women and men, and the appearance of the model emphasizes the minimalist style of the iPod.
How did such a pocket appear?
The first classic blue jeans had only 4 pockets . One of them was located at the back, 2 at the front, plus one more, very small. Yes, there was no second pocket at the back, which many are accustomed to. Now we can’t imagine jeans without it, but it appeared only in 1901.
The purpose of the large pockets is not a mystery at all; you could put something large in them, or collect small items in one place. But what could the small pocket be used for? It turns out that it was created to protect such a fragile thing as a pocket watch . When they lay in large pockets, where small debris and crumbs often accumulated, the surface became scratched, the watch became scuffed and dirty. It turns out that the pocket was something like a protective case built into the jeans, like those worn on a belt to protect the phone.
More than a century ago, the pocket was created so that all kinds of hard workers, from carpenters to miners, could carry their small pocket watches in it. It's amazing that the design has survived to this day.
Interesting! Tracy Panek, Levi Strauss&Co brand historian, says, "It [the small pocket] is found on one of the oldest waist-waist overalls - as jeans were once called - which can be found in Levi's archives dating back to 1879."
