Why do you need a pocket on jeans. What is that little pocket on jeans for? Classic options for using a small pocket on jeans

Surely we are all familiar with the classic look of jeans: straight legs and five pockets: one on each side in front and behind, and one more small pocket, protruding above the right front pocket. And what is this one for? small pocket on jeans, not everyone knows.

Why a small pocket on jeans?

For the first time, the fifth pocket on jeans appeared in the Levi's 501 XX model almost 150 years ago, in 1873. By the way, then it was not the fifth, but the fourth pocket, since in the classic jeans of that time there was only one pocket at the back, the second appeared later.

There are three main versions of why Levi's designers added this tiny front pocket. The most likely of them is that it was intended for wearing pocket watches on a chain, which at that time were much more common than they are now. On the model of jeans of those times, this small pocket was somewhat larger than we are used to seeing it now, and the watch would fit in it quite well.

The second version of the appearance of this pocket is as follows: since jeans were then purely working clothes, it was stitched onto jeans for the convenience of workers. They could store various small things in it that are easy to lose. So, gold diggers could put small nuggets there, and carpenters, for example, carnations.

Finally, the version that the pocket was designed to carry a Zippo lighter, which at that time was used by most cowboys, whose main clothing was jeans, is also popular. This version even explains the decrease in the size of the pocket over time. So, the popular Zippo lighters after some time were supplanted by Cricket lighters, which fit perfectly in a pocket of a modern size.

Why do you need a small pocket on jeans now?

Over time, the classic form of five-pocket jeans has settled down, and more and more explanations have appeared among the people of what the smallest of them should be used for. So, at one time it was believed that it was adapted for storing small coins, which were then necessary for using payphones. Later, a version appeared that this was a pocket for a condom, since its packaging easily fit there. Also, many carried a penknife in this pocket. Now this pocket is more of a tribute to the classic cut of old jeans than a truly functional device, but many people continue to store various necessary little things in it: paper clips, packs of chewing gum, coins, a small amount of cash paper money.

A small pocket on jeans has always interested inquisitive people. It has even become the subject of much controversy, because it is not easy to get something 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 cowboy jeans are an indispensable condition for their uniform for combat operations, because they could hide a folding army or primer (detonator, piston for a powder charge in firearms). Invented this type of clothing from Levi Strauss in 1853 and called it "topless overalls". It seems that all five pockets of the overalls went to the trousers. It was a period of "gold rush" when the seekers precious metal it was convenient to store small nuggets in a tiny fifth pocket. The first small pocket appeared on Levi's jeans in 1873. It was a Levi's 501 XX. Such a pocket in the company's catalog is listed as a watch pocket, and its creator is the American designer Michael Regalo.

Versions

We have already named two versions. But there are other assumptions as well. The number of versions of why jeans have a small pocket is amazing.

1. Handymen kept nails or small coins in a small pocket.
2. According to one version, Michael Regalo, as a joke, invented a small pocket for those who, during a police raid, could hide ecstasy (an illegal drug) in it. Therefore, the nickname “drugs packet” was assigned to the pocket - a pharmaceutical package.
3. According to another version, the fifth pocket was sewn by Mark Lidin especially 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 a Zippo lighter. Nowadays, the pocket takes on the dimensions of a Cricket accessory that has earned a good reputation.
• Such an element of clothing was used for watches, which were previously worn on a chain attached to the belt.
• They kept 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 why you need a small pocket on jeans for a long time. But still it is interesting to observe how in our time they manage to squeeze into this small pocket mobile phone Or put on sunglasses.

And now attention, surprise! Levi's - the most famous brand in America and the world - focusing on innovative technologies and creativity, has developed a new stylish model of Levi's Redwire DLX jeans, which contains built-in retractable headphones, joystick, contact terminals under white leather on a small pocket. The four-position joystick allows you to adjust the volume of the player without taking it out of your pocket. The user also has the ability to control the image on the screen of his iPod thanks to jeans. Jeans can be safely washed, because all devices come unfastened along with the pocket.

Now you know what a small pocket on jeans is for, but do not rush to conclusions. Surely he will find some other application that can surprise with its novelty. And the small pocket will again become the subject of great controversy.

Most jeans have a small pocket that is never used by the wearer. The "fifth" pocket is found on classic models and all men's options. Such a detail was not always present in the cut of jeans. The attribute appeared in 1873 on the first models of the manufacturer Levi's (USA).

History of the "fifth" pocket

Until the 20th century, denim was used as a work uniform. The dense twill weave allowed the fabric to withstand high loads and be resistant to tearing. In the first models, there were only two front pockets for small items. With the expansion of the field of application in the modeling of the cut, 2 details were added. Among these innovations was the "fifth" pocket.

INTERESTING: originally a small pocket was the fourth in a row. The back left pocket appeared only in 1901.

• Levi's (USA) became a trendsetter and brought denim out of work wear. Elements have been added to everyday models to simplify the task of storing useful little things. Among these innovations was an additional pocket.
• Zippo was the sponsor of the clothing modernization. They signed a contract with Levi's to include a miniature pocket for their famous lighters. The name of this element “watch pocket” has survived to this day.
• However, jeans lovers disposed of the “gift” from the brand in their own way. Workers used it to store nails. Gold diggers put the rarest nuggets into it. Initially, the dimensions of the pocket were adjusted to fit early versions of Zippo lighters.

What are the creators saying?

In response to numerous user requests, Levi's released a special "Fifth Pocket commercial" in 2009. Served in a humorous vein, the plot tells about the resourceful owner of the Levi's 501 model.

According to the plot, the young man receives favor from the mistress of a criminal element. At the moment of handing over the key to her chambers, he is searched by security guards. However, their search was unsuccessful. The cherished key is hidden in a tightly pressed pocket.

Video motto: I love this commercial…

The real purpose of the pocket

In addition to the humorous presentation of the idea of ​​\u200b\u200bcreating a pocket, Levi's posted a list of descriptions on their official website. One of the purposes of the "fifth" element is the storage of small things. It is quite roomy and tightly pressed, even if the trousers are unbuttoned. The size of the pocket is universal for any metal currency of the World.

The first customers and consumers of Levi's denim products were cowboys. Taking into account the needs of their users, fashion designers calculated the parameters of the pocket for storing cartridge primers. This is one of the optional uses of the pocket.

Various travel small items are placed in the pocket. A multi-tool of small sizes is well fixed here. The tightly pressed edge is suitable for fixing the clip of a folding knife.

One of the first purposes of the pocket was to carry a watch. Initially, they were on a chain and special pockets were sewn on clothes for them. Middle-class Central Americans wore them fastened to their belts. It is for such cases that Levi's has thought of a little surprise for its customers. This is evidenced by the self-name of the element “watch pocket”, which means "watch pocket".

Pocket anatomy: dimensions and material

The idea of ​​reinforcing work pants with rivets made Jacob Davis and Levi Strauss rich. Their pants didn't tear when worn for a long time, which was the key to the popularity of Levi's clothing. The addition of an additional pocket gave them the opportunity to strengthen the waist area. In this place, the tension on the fabric falls with a double effort. So the introduction of the pocket was a strategic decision for the entire line of clothing from a well-known manufacturer.

The initial dimensions of the pocket are 57x37x13 mm. They can vary up or down. The fabric on the pocket lay in 2 layers or was made with a higher density of weaving. As a result, the wall of the pocket held its shape in any state (stretched or relaxed fabric).

Initially, the pocket was actively used for its intended purpose. With the advent of the technical revolution, hanging clocks gave way to manual ones. The pocket was left "without work." However, he has repeatedly become a source of inspiration.

In 1983, an ad was taken down in favor of protecting health from AIDS. The advertisement features a pocket as a place to store contraceptives. The idea fit so well that for many its use has been unambiguously defined.

Filmed in 1993, the film about the favorite of American teenagers, Lucky Luke, did not do without showing the fifth pocket. A well-known fictional marksman uses him to carry mints, which he replaces his usual cowboy cigars. This has become a reason for many to carry pills or chewing gum in the fifth pocket.

Surely you have at least one pair of jeans. And these jeans are almost guaranteed to have just such a small pocket that shyly peeks out of the front right pocket. This combination is included in the standard five-pocket design for jeans.

But how and when did this little pocket appear? Are you using it? For what? Most likely, you, like me, put there at all what it is intended for. Although, there was a time when I was much younger, and kept there just what it should be.

Let's start our story in 1873 with these two guys:

These are Jacob Davis (born in Riga, originally named Jacob Jofis) and Levi Strauss (Loeb Strauss from Bavaria). Both of them immigrated to the US in the mid-19th century, Americanized their names, and entered the clothing business. Strauss had been making durable cotton work trousers for 20 years when Davis contacted him. He wrote that he had come up with a new way to produce durable pants, and offered Strauss cooperation. Davis himself simply could not raise the $68 needed to patent the idea (in today's money, that's over $1,300). The men got a patent together and started making jeans based on Levi Strauss & Co. (True, they were called at first "work overalls").

Davis' invention was to fasten the often torn parts of the pants with copper rivets. It is for this, and not at all for a durable fabric, or a new style, the company Levi Strauss & Co. received her denim patent in 1873.

In the first models of jeans, there were only three pockets: two in front, and one (right) in the back.

But in 1890, the company decided to introduce an innovation, a small watch pocket. In all documents of the company, it is called "watch pocket". The size was specially chosen to fit most pocket watches of the time.

Only many years later, at the beginning of the 20th century, a second back pocket was added to Levi's jeans, which became the last of the "five pockets". The small watch pocket was the fourth.

When I studied at the university, I wore just such a pocket watch on a chain, which I put in this pocket. I was then very pleased with how good this " secret pocket for change" suits my watch. Then it could not have occurred to me that I was using the pocket for its intended purpose!

Levi's design was popular and was adopted by many other jeans manufacturers and beyond. Today, the five-pocket style can be found on a huge number of different pants.

The exception is trousers designed to be worn with a suit. They do not have a pocket for watches, because it was traditionally believed that when putting on a suit, a man would put a watch in one of his pockets, or in a vest pocket.

During the Second World War, Levi's slightly changed the design, removing two rivets from the upper corners of the watch pocket. In this way, the company supported the saving of metal for military needs.

Over time, the fashion for pocket watches has gone. Today they are worn only by old-fashioned grandparents and teenagers trying to somehow distinguish themselves from their peers (my case). And in the watch pockets they put everything from small change and lighters to condoms.

Levi's representatives say that the company does not remove this outdated pocket out of a desire to maintain the original design.

I got rid of my pocket watch a long time ago, I wear it now

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 arguing for more than a year. Especially for our readers, five pocket-denim versions.

Version No. 1 "Golden"

Version No. 2 "Financial"

Version number 3 "Tobacco"

Version No. 4 "Hour"

Version #5 "Unromantic"

It will be useful for fans of sports shoes to know.