Most people rarely notice the small metal buttons on their jeans. Those tiny copper or silver studs tucked near the pockets often register as decorative details, something added for style rather than purpose. In reality, they are one of the most important functional elements of denim. Far from being ornamental, these small pieces of metal are the reason jeans became known for durability in the first place.

To understand why jeans have these buttons, also known as rivets, it helps to look back at how denim was originally used. In the 1870s, jeans were not designed for casual wear or fashion. They were work pants made for miners, railroad workers, ranch hands, and laborers who spent long days putting intense strain on their clothing. At the time, ripped seams were a constant problem.