The ‘fifth pocket’ has been around since 1873 and has multiple uses – you would never have thought of these!
Was there ever a time in your life when you looked at your jeans and thought, ‘Hey what are these tiny little pockets doing here?’ Does it have a utility or is it just a fashion ‘thing’? Would your mind go into wonderment if we told you that mini-pockets are more than just a fashion thing; that they don’t merely exist above the bigger and more functional main pocket. Don’t know about you, but we were taken aback to learn why those mini-pockets exist in the first place. And thanks to jeans manufacturers we found the perfect explanation for what mini-pockets have been doing in your jeans since 1873.
The mini-pocket has an official name – ‘fifth pocket’ and it has been around since the 18th century. Coming to the present, the mini-pocket is actually too small for you to make a function out of it unless you are carrying just a coin. Plus, it’s annoying if your fingers are jammed in that tiny space. Just imagine!
But according to Levi Strauss & Co, the company credited with the invention of blue jeans, 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 trousers as they rode around on horses or worked on their ranches. Reiterating this theory, a representative from Lee says, “Back then people used to keep their watches in the pocket, so they were called watch pockets.”
But with the use of wristwatches (and smart phones where it is easy to check time) the usefulness of the mini-pocket has become relatively obsolete, if not useless. Despite the fact that the functionality of the mini-pocket has gone down jeans companies haven’t altered their design. Levi’s notes that “this extra pouch has served many functions, evident in its many titles: frontier 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 says it is useful to loose change.
So in loving memory of the mini-pocket we’d like to revive the multiple uses of the fifth pocket in modern times, as pointed out by Sohaib Khalid, an apparel merchandising manager. Here are some:
Use it as a coin pocket:Although it’s a bit deep which makes it difficult to reach the small change you put in, its depth ensures that the coins won’t fall out 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 for any hair exigencies.
Use it as a floss pocket: A small pack of floss can fit in for spinach-in-teeth situations. Alternatively it’s great for storing toothpicks. Just be careful not to poke yourself!
Use it as a snack holder: It’s the perfect size to keep a small snack bar.
Use it as a mouth freshener pocket: A small pack of gum or mouth-freshener can fit in comfortably.
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!
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