Why do jeans have this little pocket - Simple Things

[Sector 001]

[Norrrm]

1. Pocket watch?

[ITAL]

4. I'm pretty sure that is correct

[The Roux Comes First]

2. Keys?

[pdxflyboy]

3. Small change?

n/t

[leftstreet]

5. Isn't for a roach clip?

er...

[Ilsa]

6. A single key? It would be worn securely

higher on the hip with the shallowness of the pocket and be less likely to poke the much lower abdomen if using a front pocket or the butt if using a back pocket. It's probably functionally obsolete as car keys are disappearing in use, or because keys are usually carried in multiples, sometimes with mini discount/membership cards or elaborate key rings. But style lives on!

[BluesRunTheGame]

7. I keep an AI detector in mine.

It’s useful for posts like this.

[Disaffected]

9. Condom?

[sakabatou]

10. IIRC, originally, it was for a pocket watch

There were no wristwatches in the 1800s, so pocket watches popular in the 1800s.

[Wounded Bear]

11. We always called it a watch pocket growing up...

in the 50's-60's era.

[Greybnk48]

12. In the 50's we called it a coin pocket.

That's all I know.

[OldBaldy1701E]

13. It is a watch pocket. For those workers who wanted to have a time piece but were not wearing vests.

It predates the wrist watch.

Since everyone can always find a use for it, they still put them on some designs.

I may be delusional, but I swear I seem to remember something about horse handlers, or dealing with deliveries, having a hand in adding those pockets.