You see those small metal buttons on your jean pockets every single day. You probably assume they are just for decoration, a detail that doesn't really do anything important or useful.

Those metal studs are called rivets, and their function is to reinforce the jean's stress points to prevent tearing. Originally a patented functional innovation, rivets are the reason jeans became the world's most durable pants.

This tiny piece of metal hardware is one of the most important components in the history of apparel. It’s what separated a regular pair of work pants from a nearly indestructible garment.

In my 20 years running the DiZNEW denim factory, I’ve seen how this small detail represents the perfect blend of function and style. For any designer, like Dean, understanding the "why" behind the rivet is fundamental to understanding the soul of jeans themselves. Let's explore its simple but brilliant purpose.

What is the point of rivets on jeans?

You create designs with rivets because it's what you expect to see on jeans. But you don't fully appreciate their purpose, seeing them as just another traditional element to be included.

The entire point of rivets is strength. They are strategically placed on the high-stress points of jeans, like pocket corners, to stop the seams from ripping apart under pressure and daily use.

The story behind the rivet is the story of Levi's itself. It wasn't about fashion; it was about solving a real-world problem. Back in the 1870s, a tailor named Jacob Davis was getting complaints from the wives of laborers.

Their husbands' work pants, especially the pockets, were constantly ripping. Davis came up with a brilliant idea: he took the small copper rivets¹ used to attach straps to horse blankets and hammered them onto the corners of the pockets. The problem was instantly solved.

Knowing he had a huge idea, he partnered with Levi Strauss, his fabric supplier, and they were granted a patent on May 20, 1873². It’s a common mix-up, but Ben Davis, famous for his own workwear, was Jacob Davis's grandson, following in the family tradition. The rivet wasn't a style choice; it was a hardcore functional upgrade that made the pants strong enough for the gold rush.

Feature Area	Before Rivets	After Rivets
Pocket Corners	A weak point, prone to tearing.	Reinforced stress point.
Result of Stress	The stitching would break.	The fabric would have to tear to fail.
Durability	Low, pants needed frequent repair.	Extremely high, built for hard labor.

What is the point of a rivet in general?

You see rivets on lots of things beyond jeans, like bags and jackets. You wonder if they are also for strength, or if they are just a decorative, industrial-looking stud.

The general point of any rivet is to permanently fasten two or more layers of material together. It provides a point of focused strength that is far more durable than simple stitching could ever be.

A rivet is a simple piece of engineering. It comes in two parts: a post and a cap. The post is pushed through the layers of fabric from the back, and the cap is placed on the front. Then, a machine applies immense pressure, flattening the post inside the cap and creating a permanent, incredibly strong bond.

It essentially clamps the fabric together with metal. This is why you see rivet³s used on other heavy-duty items. On a leather bag, rivets anchor the handle straps. On a tough canvas jacket, they secure the corners of pockets, just like on jeans. Their function is always the same: to provide unyielding strength where it's needed most.

Over time, this functional origin has also become a style cue. As your insight noted, streetwear brands⁴ like BAPE and FUCT use rivets as a nod to this authentic, workwear heritage. They are adding them because the rivet is a symbol of toughness and quality.

Can you remove rivets from jeans?

A rivet on your jeans is in an awkward spot, maybe scratching your phone or digging into your side. You want to take it off but are afraid you will just rip a huge hole in your pants.

Yes, you can remove rivets, but it requires tools and care to avoid damaging the fabric. The process involves drilling or grinding the back of the rivet until it can be pried apart.

In my factory, we have a specialized press for removing improperly set rivets, but it can be done at home if you're careful. First, you must work on the back of the rivet—the flatter, less finished side. The goal is to weaken the fastener without touching the surrounding denim.

Using a small metal drill bit⁵, you very carefully drill into the center of the rivet back. You don't need to go all the way through. You just want to grind away enough metal to compromise its integrity.

After you've weakened it, you can usually use a flathead screwdriver or pliers to pry the front cap off the post. However, there are serious risks. If your hand slips, you can easily tear the denim. Once the rivet is removed, you will be left with a small hole.

While this may not be very noticeable, you have also removed the reinforcement, making that spot weaker than it was before. It's a trade-off between comfort and the original durability of the garment.

Why are there grommets on jeans?

You're looking closely at your pants and think you see another type of rivet, but this one has a hole in the middle. You wonder why some have holes and some are solid.

Those are grommets or eyelets, not rivets, and they serve a completely different purpose. A grommet reinforces a hole in the fabric, while a solid rivet reinforces a seam to prevent it from starting.

This is another key hardware distinction. A rivet is solid. Its job is to be a point of strength, clamping fabric together so it cannot pull apart. A grommet, on the other hand, is hollow.

Its job is to neatly line an existing hole to protect it from fraying. Think about the holes for your shoelaces—those are lined with grommets (often called eyelets when small). On a hoodie, the hole where the drawstring comes out is protected by a grommet⁶. On jeans, grommets are extremely rare.

A fashion-forward design might use a grommet for a decorative lace-up fly or for ventilation, but they are not part of the classic jean structure.The small metal stud on your coin pocket is always a solid rivet, never a grommet. They may look similar from a distance, but their function is the complete opposite.

Feature	Rivet	Grommet / Eyelet
Purpose	To reinforce a seam and prevent tearing.	To line a hole and prevent fraying.
Structure	Solid metal, permanently joins fabrics.	Hollow metal ring, protects an opening.
Common Use	Jean pocket corners, leather bag straps.	Shoelace holes, hoodie drawstrings, tarps.

Conclusion

Rivets began as a pure function to give jeans incredible strength. This tiny piece of hardware is a symbol of durability and connects even the most modern denim back to its tough roots.

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