What small metal fasteners reinforce the pocket corners of traditional blue jeans?

Copper rivets reinforce the pocket corners of traditional blue jeans.

Rivets are permanent mechanical fasteners formed by deforming a metal pin so that it holds layers of fabric together. In early work trousers, they strengthened stress points such as pocket corners, where repeated pulling could tear the denim.

Tailor Jacob Davis used rivets in reinforced trousers and worked with Levi Strauss to patent the idea in 1873. Copper became strongly associated with classic blue jeans because it is workable, durable, and visually distinctive. The visible rivet heads also became part of the traditional appearance of denim garments.

Not every modern pair uses exposed copper rivets. Some jeans use hidden rivets, bartack stitching, or other reinforcements for comfort, styling, or safety. The rivets should also not be confused with the jeans’ buttons, which fasten the garment, or with decorative metal studs, which may serve no structural purpose.