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Superfluous buttons, scraps of fabrics and useless pockets: there are details on the clothes we wear every day that we don’t pay attention to and that often conceal a great utility or a legacy from past eras.
What are clothes details for
In the clothes we wear every day there are little secrets and details that not everyone pays attention to. Often these are such insignificant details that no one wonders why they exist, even if they often do conceal great utility. Sometimes, on the other hand, they are remnants of weaving customs and techniques from the times when those garments were invented.
What are clothes details for: the secrets of buttons
Often the clothes have buttons that, at first glance, seem to have no immediate use. Sometimes they are not used and therefore we no longer pay attention to them and we do not even ask ourselves why they exist. For example the metal buttons found at the ends of the jeans pockets. This is a detail linked to the origin of the jeans, which at first were work trousers used by workers.
The latter often complained that, due to wear and rubbing, the stitching of the pockets came off easily. Levi-Strauss then patented the metal buttons at the ends of the pockets that would have ensured a better seal.
Another curious detail regarding the buttons are their way of applying on shirts for women and men. In fact, usually on men’s shirts the buttons are fixed on the right side while, on the contrary, women’s shirts have them sewn on the left side. This detail is also a remnant of some customs of the past era. For example, women were dressed as maids and assistants, so the buttons were more comfortable on the left side. As for the men, on the other hand, the buttons of the vests and shirts had to be on the right side because the hand holding the weapon (the right) had to remain free even if a man were to undo his shirt.
What are clothes details for: pockets and extra fabrics
Legendary is now the fifth pocket of jeans, a small pocket located above the front pocket of the trousers. Of such small size that it is difficult to understand what it can be used for, this pocket has instead been of fundamental importance in the past. It is called “watch pocket” and was invented precisely to contain the pocket watch, in particular designed for cowboys and designed to prevent the precious watches from breaking.
Many times then, together with some items just bought, we can find in addition to the spare button also a scrap of fabric. What is it for? This detail hides a really useful meaning. In fact, it is a piece of the same fabric and color of the garment we purchased and with which we can carry out washing tests to avoid damaging or discoloring the dress itself.
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