Jeans are a staple item in most people's wardrobes. They come in all different shapes and colours, but most women's jeans have a tiny pocket, that you might have thought was very impractical at times, and then simply ignored.
Many may have tried squeezing their phone or keys in there, but it turns out there was a specific use for it. In the late 1800s people were crying out for small, tight pockets on their jeans for a very specific fashion item of the time - pocket watches.
Wondering what the small pocket in their jeans was actually for, one Reddit user asked: "In most jeans, there's an extra pocket in the right pocket - what is it for, and what do you use it for?"
The tiny pockets can be traced back to the 19th century, where they were stitched into Levi's 'waist overall jeans', the original name for the classic blue denim trousers, and was made just big enough to store a pocket watch inside.
The design was patented by Strauss and J.W Davis in May 1873 as an "Improvement in Fastening Pocket Openings", and first distributed in 1890 with the Lot 501 jeans, which is what the Levis 501 jeans were based on.
Tacey Panek, Levi Strauss & Co's historian, told Insider "The oldest pair of waist overalls in the Levi Strauss & Co. Archives (from 1879) includes the watch pocket.
"Our 19th century overalls had a single back pocket on the right side of the pant beneath the leather patch."
Because the pockets were designed to hold pocket watches, you won't find them on smart or suit trousers as they are designed to be worn with a jacket, which the watch fits into.
But as people are now more likely to use a smart watch than a pocket watch, it may seem a bit pointless still having it there.
However, it came in useful during the Second World War. Panek added: "One interesting fact about the watch pocket is that during WWII the two corner rivets were removed as a way to conserve metal for the war effort.
"The rivets returned to the watch pocket after the war. It was riveted in the top two corners and included our recognisable arch design, called the Arcuate, stitched with a single needle sewing machine.
"The watch pocket was an original element of our blue jeans, like the rivets on our pockets, button fly, arched back pocket stitching and leather patch. To preserve the integrity of the early design, Levi Strauss & Co. maintains the watch pocket."
Commenting on the revelation, one user said: "I have always wondered about the small pocket in my jeans. I don't put anything in it - I can't even get my fingertips in it."
Another user added: "I thought it was meant for lighters" A third user said: "I put my AirPods in that pocket. It's a perfect fit."
One more user added: "I keep my Chapstick in there - I've never lost it. It just gets washed about 309 times."
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