Why Do Jeans Have Those Tiny Buttons?
1. What Those Tiny Buttons Are
Jeans often feature small metal “buttons” near the pockets that many people overlook.
These aren’t decorative — “they’re rivets, and they are key to denim’s legendary durability.”
2. Where Rivets Came From
In the 1870s, tailor Jacob Davis kept seeing work pants tear at stress points.
His fix was simple: “reinforce high-stress points like pockets and the fly with metal rivets.”
Partnering with Levi Strauss, he patented this design in 1873, creating tough jeans built for laborers.
3. Why Rivets Matter
Rivets sit on areas that face the most tension, “distributing stress across the fabric”
and preventing rips. Usually made of copper or brass, they resist rust and help jeans last much longer.
4. From Workwear to Style
Though modern jeans may hide or replace them, rivets remain symbols of heritage and craftsmanship.
As the article notes, “those little rivets carry decades of denim heritage.”
