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The campaign for pockets

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I have to say, one of the reasons I love these darn Sanctuary cargo joggers is because of the large pockets on the leg — I can go to an Orioles game or a concert without a purse!

https://www.theguardian.com/fa.....tid=Zxz2cZ

“Five years ago, a survey of jeans published on the website The Pudding found that, on average, women’s pockets were 48% less deep and 6.5% slimmer than men’s, and that only 40% of women’s front pockets could fit a smartphone. Less than half could fit a wallet.”

Frankly I’m surprised that 40% of those pockets could fit a smartphone, and not even fewer — but it was a few years ago and smartphones are bigger now!

Sanctuary Harmony Cargo Pants

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31 replies

Latest reply was from The Cat

Roberta

Veteran

I also want to travel without a purse on a regular basis, out for a walk or across the street to the grocery store. I love my REI pants for that reason. I also am fond of my Columbia rain jacket, because it's pockets have zippers. I just wore this jacket on a short trip to a rainy area and was very grateful that my things were kept secure and dry.

I have a sneaking suspicion that retailers eliminated or greatly reduced pockets because of the extra expense of detail workl, or because they had this idea that women thought pockets added bulk where they didn't want it. Young women carry even more than we used to: airpods, cell phone. That's probably why backpacks are wildly popular now. Or belt bags for that matter.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Roberta, I suspect you are right on all counts! I cannot usually get away without some sort of small bag because of my prescription glasses (so often I need the prescription sunglasses and also the regular prescription glasses, which means one has to be carried while I wear the others). And I have a great little bag that complies with so many venue rules now that dictate a bag must be a certain (small) size or else be checked. I discovered last week for a concert that it actually fits my eyeglass case, my tiny umbrella, and my phone! But sometimes I can get by without extra glasses and it’s so freeing to just slip my car key, phone, ID/bank card, and lip balm in a pocket!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I bat for the other Team most of the time, Janet! Other than my hands, I generally don't like to put items in pockets. I find it uncomfortable, items fall out, and I forget I've put things in pockets

That said, I am in the front row campaigning that all flared and roomy dresses and skirts, and most coats and jackets have side-entry pockets for my hands!

Carol

(website)

Veteran

I can actually see this becoming a new storage trend for women--using pockets and going without purses at all. Kind of edgy, like menswear or Timberlands.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Forgot to mention that I'm glad your pockets are working for you, Janet!

Jetlag......

Janet

(website)

Veteran

LOL Angie, I know the jet lag feeling well! Your trip looked absolutely amazing — welcome home and good luck getting back in Seattle time!

Runcarla

Veteran

Ha! My sons use their Uniqlo soft half moon bags all the time. DS#2 claims keeping a wallet or phone in a rear pocket, can lead to back problems! DH uses a different version of a fanny pack that he mostly wears slung over his shoulder. He lost his phone in Heathrow airport when it slipped out of his pocket whilst sitting down.

The electronic starters for cars is more bulky than a a mechanical key, phones seem to be getting bigger (poor senior’s eye sight?), wallets have stayed about the same size. Though many places have gone cashless, I still need my driver’s license, loyalty cards, library card, etc, and now I carry an extra bag to carry purchases I might make. I would need too many large pockets to carry what I need/want when I go off the property.

On the other hand, my hands are always cold, so I want pockets large enough to tuck my hands into.

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Dee

Veteran

I feel exactly like Runcarla about the amount of items people need to carry around now. And there’s no way I would put anything in a pocket that wasn’t zippered but I also hate the bulk of it all. Its hard to cut back on all these items when leaving the house.

My son too, has a giant FOB key, a wallet and a phone all crammed into various pockets, throws the whole look of pants off and he could end up losing something. My husband carries a small thin duffle bag around for his stuff but a few of his buddies tease him about his “purse”.

All that said, I still love pockets even if I just used them for my hands.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

For most outings, I'm like Runcarla -- I need a bag, and sometimes I need a backpack! A place for wallet, phone, keys, extra shopping bag, water, sweater or jacket, sunglasses, tissue...the list goes on.

But popping out for a short walk in my neighbourhood, I do love the freedom of going without a bag when I can. My cargo shorts (In summer) and my jackets with zip pockets (in cooler ewather) are my favourites in thos situations.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Well, yeah, I too for everyday use need an actual handbag — these days I prefer a backpack, crossbody or tote style. Enough to hold the essentials plus other random items like shopping bags, etc.

But for times when I’ll just need the pared back essentials, it’s nice to have the option of just using pockets. Concerts have traditionally been one of my biggest needs for this. Who wants to hang onto a bag while they’re dancing??

RobinF

Veteran

I don't like to put stuff in pockets - it drags them down and feels uncomfortable. But I do like to put my hands in pockets. Love when a dress has good pockets!

I have a strap for my phone case for when I only need my phone and an ID. Works great.

Bocasal Crossbody Wallet Case for iPhone Xr with Card Holder,Zipper Card Slot Protector Shockproof Purse Cover with Removable Cross Body Strap 6.1 Inch(Black)

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm so with Carla and Suz! Although I don't carry a lot - I need my bag for my stuff. Big keys, big phone, my second pair of specs, sunnies, tissues, wallet, lip balm, mask, doggie poo bags, and a reusable shopping bag.

I am never without a bag!

Roberta

Veteran

Runcarla, you made me laugh - my son has left his phone at the movies unknowingly several times because it slipped out of his pocket!

SarahD8

Veteran

Until I was probably in my mid-20s I rarely used a purse and would just carry a pared-down wallet (remember those little zip pouches made of Guatemalan fabric? Like that) and keys in my jeans pocket.

I am still not the kind of gal who goes gaga over purses but I have come to accept their utility.

I am extremely pro-pocket (good place to stash hands, pretty stones, and seashells) but this thread is making me wonder if various technological and other societal trends (need for masks/hand sanitizer) might make it common for all genders to carry handbags.

Then what might happen to the pockets in men's clothing, will they eventually become reduced to the point of uselessness, like the wings of flightless birds?

judy

Veteran

Oh what a fun article...a whole book about pockets! I love love love pockets. Of course, they are great for items that might normally go in a handbag, but also, just to put hands in! I no longer abide dresses without pockets or outerwear too. I have a Filson jacket that has hand warmer pockets, a gap behind the pocket to slide your hands in, so one can have both a place for the phone, wallet, keys and warm hands. So brilliant. When I was a city dweller for 16 years I loved going handsfree, no worries about getting robbed (looking at you, NYC in the early 80's! My purse had a long strap and I had a tug of war with the thief, but my friend who helped dropped her small clutch and so that became the prey) and made for easy walking. But I also love my tote bags and enjoy using them, especially now that I'm suburban again. I recently purchased my first pair of women's jeans in about fifteen years, and yes the front pockets are not as deep as the unisex or men's styles I've been buying.

Helena

Veteran

I hate when I don't have a pocket, even though I always carry a purse ... for my hands, as Angie says!

I agree with you Janet, there are definitely circumstances where it's nice to not need a purse for essentials ... if I go for a walk, I love my leggings with the phone pocket so I don't need my crossbody.

When I used to go out to nightclubs to dance, luckily tall boots were stylish ... my friends and I all kept our money, IDs and lipstick in our boots ha!

Kyle

Veteran

I like them…sometimes. Too often they add bulk right where I don’t want it. But they do come in handy from time to time.

Olive Green

Veteran

Pockets in outerwear are a must, of course. So I might go without a bag in the winter. Our long summers, though, mean a hip bag or sling for everyday. My phone and keys would drag pants or shirts into unseemly places, in light summer-weight fabrics. Embarrassing story there…
With a utilitarian aspect to my style, useable pockets on clothes that look like actual workwear (denim, chore coats, camp shirts) are an essential part of the vibe. Yay!
Loved that article on pockets, and contents. Historical clothing is fascinating to study.

Runcarla

Veteran

Regardless of what I said above, I’m pro-pockets, and stupid fake pockets or no pockets will get a pass from me. What SarahD8 said about hands, pretty stones, and seashells

Sal

Veteran

I am pro pockets too - especially functional ones for my phone or keys or hands. My most used pockets are zip ones on jackets and I like a side pocket on my leggings for walking too.

Echo

Veteran

I remember in high school when I first bought a pair of men's jeans (I didn't have much of a shape then), and I was floored by how enormous the pockets were. At the time, women's jeans had teeny "Pockets" that - if you were lucky - you might fit two fingers into horizontally. Ridiculous. Indeed, it would have been better to not have pockets at all because those tiny flaps would work their way up and show instead of staying down like pockets should.

However, I do not use pockets for much of anything; I always carry a bag. But I want them in clothing on principle. I admit that even though I don't use them, a dress having roomy pockets is a big selling point for me!

Kate

Veteran

I love pockets! Whenever I can, I go without my usual crossbody, and slip phone and slim card card in my pockets. To guard against loss, pockets must either be deep, zippered, or on the inside of my coat/jacket. And of course sturdy. Nothing worse than a flimsy pocket Pockets are one reason I adore outerwear.

However, most of the time, unless I'm just going for a walk, I take a small crossbody. Over time, I have collected five—3 leather, 2 nylon—that are very lightweight, and can hold my glasses, card case, phone, keys, and Chapstick. I have other crossbody bags in different shapes that are quite beautiful, but the utility of a very small bag has me hooked.

Kat Lee Dune

Pockets were originally worn by both men and women - on the outside. They consisted of little pouches that attached at the waist. This is a pretty interesting podcast re: the history of pockets and how we got to where we are today:

https://www.articlesofinterest...../3-pockets

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Second the recommendations for the podcast above! I especially appreciate pockets big enough for my phone in my home clothes as I am often moving around and need to keep it nearby. Like Angie and others I need a bag when I go out though - but still appreciate pockets!

Indigoprint

Veteran

I like pockets for my keys. I have added pockets to garments for this reason....but I always carry a bag of some sort. I think I would feel not quite right without one.

MsMaven

Veteran

I am pro-pockets, and definitely for bigger pockets. I'm bored with bags, but they are necessary at times. I hate pants that look like they have pockets, but it turns out they are just decorative slits, or are only an inch long.

Life has changed. Women's needs are different now.

And then there are shirt jackets where the pocket is right on the breast. Really, do you think I want to keep my phone there? How about shirt type jackets with pockets at the waist?

I have bought some belt bags, but haven't used them much. Maybe I should work on this option.

Janet: thanks for posting about this lack.

lyn67

Veteran

Yes, I love pockets...on everything-included even dressier shirt and blouses! I never put anything in them other other than my hands on dresses or bottoms, but they can help on a bigger/higher torso, bust or wider shoulders--even on flat rears:-) -cutting up plain material in blocks for more flattering proportions.

Anonymous

I'm with Angie! I like having the option of pockets- if they lay flat and especially zip, but rarely use except for putting my hands or gloves in. I use them most for my phone if at home and working in the garage or hiking, but the extra weight does bug me a bit. I definitely do get tired of carrying a purse too though!

cjh

(website)

Veteran

I bought a dobby chambray shirt recently that has a tiny folded top pocket sewn into the side seam, about the spot where labels are often attached. I looked up the topic and found that there is a lower tariff on imported garments which have a pocket below the waist. So did inserting this tiny pocket for a few cents save a bit larger tariff on the garment?

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