Dating the Jeans

1873: Riveting process patented. Pants have one back pocket, a back buckle cinch and suspender buttons.

1900: Basic jacket has pleated front, one chest pocket.

1905: Pants now have two back pockets.

1922: Belt loops added to pants but suspender buttons retained.

1936: Red tab (big E) appears on jeans’ right back pocket.

1937: Back pockets sewn so fabric covers rivets; suspender buttons removed.

1942: Crotch rivet and back cinch removed.

1953: Jacket has two chest pockets.

1962: Pleats removed from jacket; pocket design changes drastically, from straight across pocket flap to the pointed pocket flap seen today.

1966: Rivets removed from back pockets and replaced with bar-tacking.

1971: Big E on red tab is changed to small e.

1983: Cone Mills introduces “XXX” denim. Hip or side pockets added to jacket.