Why Do Jeans Have Those Small Metal Rivets?

🧵 Rivets Today
Most of us aren’t mining or building railroads anymore, but rivets still show up on jeans. They’ve shifted from a workwear essential to a symbol of classic denim craftsmanship. Many brands treat them as a mark of authenticity, stamping logos into them, choosing eye-catching metals, or arranging them in recognizable patterns.

Still, fashion has changed. Some modern jeans skip rivets entirely, opting for strong stitching or hidden reinforcements instead. This creates a sleeker look and solves real-world issues — like when a rivet digs into your hip during a long car ride or flight. Rivet-free jeans also appeal to people looking for lighter or more recyclable clothing.

But denim enthusiasts often insist on copper rivets. To them, rivets aren’t just a functional feature — they’re a connection to tradition. They reflect an era when clothing was measured by longevity rather than trends.

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