First grader writes wholesome letter requesting girls' jeans with 'real pockets', Old Navy responds

Editor's note: This article was originally published on April 8, 2021. It has since been updated.

A 7-year-old girl received jeans with 'real front pockets' after she wrote a letter to Old Navy requesting they make jeans with pockets. Kamryn Gardner, a first-grader, from Arkansas penned a wholesome letter to the brand's corporate office asking them to make jeans with real pockets for girls. Kamryn wrote the letter after purchasing their jeans, she found that they had 'fake pockets,' which she wanted to use. "Dear Old Navy, I do not like that the front pockets of the girls jeans are fake. I want front pockets because I want to put my hands in them," wrote the student of Evening Star Elementary School in Bentonville, Arkansas, according to Good Morning America. "I also would like to put things in them. Would you consider making girls jeans with front pockets that are not fake. Thank you for reading my request," she added.

Kamryn sent the letter in January 2021 after seeing her brother wearing jeans from Old Navy that had pockets. The clothing company does make jeans for girls with pockets but it just happened that she had purchased ones without them. Kamryn was inspired to write the letter to Old Navy after participating in a persuasive writing unit where her class sends a letter to Principal Ashley Williams. Along with her fellow students, she had requested new playground equipment as part of the persuasive writing unit.

The 7-year-old's mother, Kimberly Gardner, said she had encouraged Kamryn to express herself. "She was frustrated her jeans didn't have pockets, so I suggested and encouraged her, 'What do we need to do?'" Gardner told Good Morning America. Kimberly Gardner is also a first-grade teacher at Evening Star. "She's very passionate about life ... and uses her voice," she added. Gardner helped send the letter to Old Navy.

The clothing company replied to her letter and send her jeans with pockets. The Old Navy Kids Product Team replied, writing it "appreciates your information and feedback for us as we develop new products." Along with the reply, they sent her four pairs of jeans with pockets. They had initially reached out to the 7-year-old's mom asking for Kamryn's size, before sending the jeans. Kamryn's teacher, Ellie Jayne was proud of her student and described her as "unstoppable." "It's really exciting to see the world get a glimpse of her, fall in love with her and be inspired by her passion," said Jayne.

Bentonville school also praised the first-grader for her 'persuading' the brand. "Oh, the power of persuasion especially when you're adorable! Earlier this year, first graders at Evening Star Elementary practiced writing persuasive letters. Kamryn Gardner recalled her classroom experience when she decided she was tired of buying girl jeans with fake pockets. She wrote Old Navy a letter and they responded! Not only did they write back, but they also sent her four pairs of jeans with REAL pockets! Kamryn, you proudly own those pockets! Kudos to Old Navy for making this first grader's day and ours!" read a Facebook post by Bentonville school.

There was an overwhelming response to the letter. Lynette Terrell wrote, "This is amazing! I love this! Kamryn, always remember that your words can make a big difference." Another user Amanda Quillin commented, "Love this for Kamryn and girls like her. Pockets are important! Kudos to Old Navy for acknowledging the consumer feedback." Mckenna Hicks heard of Kamryn's powerful letter from her daughter when they were out shopping. "This is awesome! I got my daughter jeans the other day (that had pockets) and she said “my friend Kamryn made these because she wrote Old navy about it.” I had no idea what she was talking about, but it all makes perfect sense now! Love this!" penned Hicks.