Have you ever wondered why do our jeans have tiny pockets? Looking at the size, the tiny little pockets are of no use to fit anything . But in the late 1800s those tiny pockets used to be there with a purpose?
The small pocket is actually known as a watch pocket since it served as a safe place for men to store their pocket watches. The jeans with small tiny pocket also dates back to Levi’s first-ever pair of jeans, which hit the market in 1879.
Also as per the Levi Strauss blog, there were only four pockets on a pair of blue jeans originally and also the watch pocket included.
The first version of Levi’s in 1873 was launched with the little pocket also termed as the “fifth pocket” by some. The pocket was basically designed to fit and secure pocket watches of cowboys’ from slipping or falling out of their pants while riding horses or working . This is why it is called Pocket watches. Moreover wearing it with a chain around neck was not feasible since it could easily break and get tangled.
However with time the use of pocket watches gradually decreased as it didn’t serve as a quick method for people to check time instantly. And soon after the wristwatch replaced the pocket watches . The wrist watch was the most convenient way to check time instead of pulling out from the pockets .
It is said that earlier the pocket was designed 4 inches wide. But after its use got limited the size reduced and it turned smaller.
