How can you tell Joe’s from Jag or Guess from Gap? Look at the pocket design! The craze for premium jeans has brought with it a universal obsession for back pockets. For some, being able to identify a designer brand by the back pocket has become a consuming hobby (although I suspect my boyfriend has ulterior motives). Each brand has its own characteristic stitch, color, shape or design. Besides flaunting your exquisite good taste, what do the back pockets do for you? You know if they look fabulous or scruffy, we’ll tell you why.

Gone are the days when the back pocket was a purely utilitarian feature. With the care and craftsmanship that today’s denim pocket designs carry, it’s sacrilege to even wear them. No matter how attractive they are on a hanger, the true test of any pocket is how it looks on your butt. Not all designs are for everyone, we will help you find what works for you.

Embellished jean pockets:

Fun and eye-catching embellishments abound in these denim pockets and really add to the WOW factor in a pair of jeans. Intricate embroidery, multi-colored stitching and fabric inserts are designed to draw attention to your assets. They do a great job adding dimension and interest to your seat. While this is perfect for flat seats, making them appear fuller and rounder, it can be too bulky for full seats.

Who has them?

7 For all mankind: pocket “A”

Rock and Republic – Roth

Antik Denim – Monroe Boot Cut Jeans

Diesel – Lowky

Metro7 – Jean with pocket with gems

Jean pockets with flaps:

From tailored to flirty, back flap pockets add interest and character to your jeans. Lapels come in all shapes and sizes. The extra layers of denim, stitching, and buttons add weight and depth to the back of your jeans. This added fullness is a boon for those with flat seats, amplifying curves. It can also work well for fuller seats as long as the proportions and pocket placement are correct.

Who has them?

1921 Jeans – Surplus Flare

Hudson – triangle pocket

Levi’s – 542 Flared Low Jeans

Paige Premium Denim – Santa Monica Pants

Special shaped jean pockets:

Technology and art come together creating pockets with an extra touch. Asymmetrical pockets with angled corners and a unique shape are specifically designed to flatter your seat. Rear dart pockets create an additional curve for your seat, while special angles and corners work with your curves to give an illusion of lift. Well done, these denim pockets work well for anyone.

Who has them?

James Cured by Seun – Original Bootcut Jeans and Straight Leg

Juicy Couture – Embellished Low Flare

Basic jeans pockets:

The classic denim pocket, a basic shovel shape, works for everyone and is the perfect canvas for exclusive stitching. These favorite accessories can be plain or come in a multitude of stitch styles (each brand has its own signature design). Look for subtle stitching or a tone-on-tone design to add interest without drawing too much attention to your butt. The newer styles, featuring faded blue-on-blue designs, are perfect for the new clean jeans trend.

Who has them?

Levi’s – Super Low Bootcut 518

Gap – Original long and thin

7 For All Mankind – Boot Cut

American Eagle – Artist Jean

Brand J – Cigarette Leg

Change – Norah Jeans

Oversized jean pockets:

Funky and fun, these jean pockets are not for everyone. Extra large pockets that sit very low, really on the back of the thigh, are all the rage right now. If you have a smaller seat, they will make your butt look tall and cute. For those of us who are not so blessed, oversized jean pockets can make you appear shorter and plump, it’s best to steer clear.

Who has them?

Diesel – Hipper

Taverniti So – Janis

True Religion – Joey

No pocket jeans:

In our mind, back pockets are an integral part of jeans, is it still a jeans when you take them off? There are styles without back pockets, however, and while some people swear by their butt-enhancing properties, others wouldn’t get caught up in them. The bottom line is that a style without a back pocket is the natural way to wear jeans. There is nothing that detracts or distracts your actual form.

Who has them?

Victoria’s Secret – The Easy Jean

JLO by Jennifer Lopez – Sterling Jeans and Flap Pocket Jeans

Jeans with trouser pocket:

Trouser welt pockets on a jean are a cool idea that doesn’t always work. Since they are generally small and sit higher on jeans, they are more difficult to wear. They can make your butt look rounder and bigger, something most of us don’t want. To get a good trouser pocket on jeans, look for those that are larger than your typical trouser style and that fit the fullness of your cheeks, not the top.

Who has them?

Rock & Republic – Clapton Trousers

Joe’s Jeans – Mitchell Stretch Trouser Jean

Edun – Sybil Jeans

Land’s End – Regular Stretch Trouser Jeans