Eli5: Why do jeans still have watch pockets?
In: 279
For Levi’s, it’s probably trademarked. Would they be Levi’s without it?
Drugs. Also aesthetics. By the time pocket watches fell out of fashion, the look of jeans had already solidified, so the pocket stuck around… to put drugs in.
History and fashion. When jeans were created, there was small pocket. As time went on, the need for a watch became less and less, but they weren’t “considered jeans” unless it had the pocket
Today, the standard mental image has the pocket, and to some (not everyone) if it doesn’t have the pocket it’s just denim pants
This is a compact multitool pocket, I feel naked without one in there. You never know when you are going to need to disassemble something or need mini pliers or scissors.
This is known as a skeunomorph, or more generally skeuomorphism. It’s an element of somethings design where the original purpose is no longer needed, but has become synonymous with the product to the point where removing it may be detrimental for a number of reasons, such as sales, brand recognition or ease-of-use.
The studs on jeans are a common example. Traditionally (a hundred plus years ago) working denim was difficult, they needed the studs to hold the pieces of denim together. Later, mechanical sewing machines and technological advancement in constructed textiles meant the studs were unnecessary, but they’re retained because of the historic lineage and because ‘that’s what Levi’s look like’.
Another good example is the floppy disk being used for the Save Icon. My son has never seen a floppy disk, but understands that the shape means ‘save your work’ and that it’s seemingly universal, across all the software he uses. The last time I used a floppy disk to save my work was probably the mid-90s.
Edit: words.
I don’t know the actual reason, but I use it for a few things. It is great to check if the jeans got dry or need to stay in the dryer a bit more. If that pocket is dry, the pants are good to go. Sometimes I keep coins there. Most of the time I keep a small pocket knife clipped there. Keeps the knife out of my way if I put my keys or small wallet in the actual pocket.
Because that 5th pocket is very useful for small things you might want to access easily. Currently I keep a small brass pen in mine, but have also carried a small SAK, my keys, and even just small change (loonies and twonies).
Where else am I supposed to keep my change for the pay phone?
I’ve been using it as a car fob pocket since 2014… Now I don’t know where to put the fob when I’m wearing pants that don’t have a watch pocket.
Remember when the iPod premiered, it was so small that Steve Jobs said now we finally have a use for that pocket?
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