That tiny pocket found in front of denim jeans isn't big enough for storing most things, except for a piece of candy or some coins. Despite its uselessness, today's jeans are still made with this small pocket, leading some to wonder why it's there in the first place.
A Quora user asked the rest of the community's members in the hopes that a textile or clothing expert would be able to help answer the mystery. One helpful reply cited that it was American denim brand Levi Strauss who came up with the pocket idea. "It's a watch pocket. Back in the 1800s, cowboys used to wear their watches on chains and kept them in their waistcoats. To keep them from getting broken, Levi's introduced this small pocket where they could keep their watch," the Quora user posted.
Back then, original denim jeans did carry four pockets, but it was designed quite differently today. Only one pocket was found in the back and two in the front; the fourth pocket was the small watch pocket.
Among other things, the watch pocket was also used for storing matches, tickets, and even condoms, Levi Strauss noted. But denim manufacturers continue to design current jeans with the small pocket for the sake of the "denimheads" who love the little feature, according to News Corp Australia.
Watch the video of how pocket watches are properly worn with jeans:
For more on jeans, read: Buying Jeans: 5 Most Common Mistakes When Purchasing Denim And How To Avoid Them
