Flapped waistband pocket?

[Nick D]

I've been thinking about putting a flapped waistband pocket on a pair of gray odd trousers, but I'm not sure if it's a good idea or not. There will be a waistband pocket no matter what, the issue is, should it be flapped with a button or plain?

I only use the waistband pocket for my watch if I'm not wearing it in a waistcoat pocket or my breast pocket with a watch guard, and the belt loops will probably be dropped so the belt covers the seam. This can make it difficult to get the watch out even on a plain pocket (though there's no issue if I'm wearing braces). The seem more common on trousers without beltloops, is that accurate?

Was there a different purpose to the pockets with flaps? I've seen some that button with a loop, or with a buttonhole directly on the trouser front, as well. It's hard to tell from old photos and catalogs, because the waist is almost always covered.

 

[flat-top]

I would say when the pocket has a flap and a button it's more of a coin pocket. I've seen them on pants with and without belt loops.

 

[Nick D]

I suspected so (and I faintly remember seeing it described as a money pocket once). Also, today I recieved a vintage gray flannel suit I won off the 'bay, and it has the flapped waistband pocket. While a watch pocket is big enough for a watch, this pocket I can fit nearly my whole hand in.

 

[Matt_the_chap]

I've found them generally useful too - usually a cigarette case, book of matches, notebook or any other generic and yet inexplicably useful item will fit in there. I'd usually prefer to wear my pocket watch on my lapel and use it was a functional pocket. I'd always be more tempted to go for the flapped pocket in that case.

 

[Tomasso]

I like the pocket built into the waistband like this:

 

[Nick D]

Is the brace button inside the pocket? That's clever.