Why Do Jeans Have Those Tiny Buttons?
Most people glance at their jeans and barely notice the small metal buttons near the pockets. Often mistaken as mere decoration, these tiny copper or silver buttons actually serve an important practical purpose. Their history dates back to the 1870s, when jeans were far from a fashion statement—they were rugged workwear for miners, railroaders, and laborers who needed pants that could withstand extreme wear.
Tailor Jacob Davis noticed a common complaint: his customers’ trousers kept ripping at the seams. The solution? Those little metal buttons, or rivets, which would soon become a hallmark of durable denim.