Was it for some use or just a fashion ‘thing’!
Was there ever a time in your life when you looked at your jeans and thought ‘Hey what are those tiny little pockets doing there?’ Does it have a utility or is it just a fashion ‘thing’? Would your mind go into wonderment if we told you that the mini-pockets are more than just a fashion thing than existing above the bigger and much functional main pocket.
Don’t know about you but our minds were taken aback to learn why those mini-pockets exist in the first place. And thanks to the jean makers we found the perfect explanation to what the mini-pockets have been doing there in your jeans since 1873.
First of all the mini-pockets have an altogether official name of its own – ‘fifth pocket’ and it has been around since the 18th century.
To begin with, the mini-pockets are actually too small to derive a function out of it unless you are carrying a lucky coin. Plus, it really sucks getting your fingers jammed in that pocket. Just imagine!
But according to Levi Strauss & Co the company credited with the invention of blue jean, it was “originally included as protection for pocket watches, thus the name.” It was put into design to protect cowboys’ pocket watches from falling out of the pants as they rode around on horses or worked on their ranches. Reiterating the same a representative from Lee tells us, “back then people used to keep their watches in the pocket, so they were called watch pocket”.
But with the use of wristwatches (and smart phones that tell more time than actual watches) the usefulness of mini-pocket has relatively become obsolete if not useless. But despite the functionality going down jean companies haven’t altered their design, Levi’s note that “this extra pouch has served many functions, evident in its many titles: frontier pocket, condom pocket, coin pocket, match pocket and ticket pocket, to name a few. Not only is the pocket extremely useful for holding tiny trinkets, it is also loved by denimheads for the faded and worn nature it takes on over time.” A designer from Lee prefers it to keep coins.
So in loving memory of the mini-pocket we’d like to revive dozen uses of the fifth pocket that you can try in the modern times. As pointed out by Sohaib Khalid, an apparel merchandising manager. Here they are:
Use it as a coin pocket: Although it’s a bit deep which makes it difficult to reach the small change you put in here, its depth also means that these coins won’t fall out very easily. Use it as a music player pocket: It’s great to hold a small ipod or mp3 player. Use it as a comb pocket: You can fit a small comb in there for any hair emergencies.?
Use it as a floss pocket: A small pack of floss can fit in there for spinach-in-teeth emergencies. Alternatively it’s great for storing toothpicks. Just be careful not to prick yourself!
Use it as a snack holder: It’s the perfect size to put a small snack bar.
Use it as a mouth freshener pocket: A small pack of gum or mouth-freshener can fit in there.
Use it as a plectrum holder: Plectrums are so easy to lose. Never lose them again with your very own plectrum pocket!
Use it for your favourite cosmetic: It’s great as a lipstick or lip balm pocket. Alternatively, it can store a small tube of mascara, or even a small mirror. A nail file also fits snugly in here but beware if you’re going to be sitting – these may snap if not strategically placed!
Use it as plaster pocket: Perfect for band-aids. Recommended for clumsy folks.
Use it as tissue pocket: You never know when you might need one. Use it as lighter pocket
Use it as as ticket pocket: The technical tailoring term for the watch pocket is a “ticket pocket” and this is quite apt because you can genuinely use it for ticket-storing purposes. You can use it for train tickets, bus tickets or cinema tickets. Warning: Only put tickets in here if you don’t mind them getting very crumpled.
Use it as a swiss army knife pocket: In case you need a can opener or corkscrew at a second’s notice.
Use it as a pen /pencil holder: Stick a little folded piece of paper or notebook in there alongside that pen or pencil and you’re set for all urgent note-taking eventualities. Talking of pieces of paper, this pocket is also fantastic to store shopping lists.
Use it as a flag holder: It’s Independence Day and your arm is getting tired from waving your flag. Never fear, flag-holder-pocket is here! Not just for Independence Day! Also useful for any everyday flag use. Let the fashion do the patriotism for you.
Use it as a key pocket and it’s great as a USB memory stick pocket too.
source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/fashion/trends/What-is-the-use-of-mini-pocket-in-jeans/articleshow/51240527.cms