Pockets are an essential part of any outfit. They can provide a built-in space to store things like keys, a phone, or even a cool rock. Pockets can also help to free up someone’s hands and prevent the accidental dropping of items. They’re convenient, not too obtrusive, and incredibly helpful. So why is it that women’s clothing falls short of the spacious pockets that have seemingly always been present on men’s clothing?

   It’s obvious if you’ve ever worn a pair of women’s jeans that the pockets are basically nonexistent. Most can only hold someone’s keys, and in some cases, the pockets are even sewn shut and just for show. According to an interview conducted by a fashion blog, “‘With so many bottoms being skinny silhouettes, pockets create bumps and can hinder a good-looking pant in many cases….’ This is why some companies will add what the person being interviewed  calls a ‘focket,’ or fake pocket, where it only appears as though storage exists” (outsideonline.com).

   This trend of dysfunctional pockets in the name of fashion has frustrated many. “There is no reason for these pants to have fake pockets. Do you know how useful it would be if they actually put them in?” Senior Farzana Akhter protests. Another major problem is the absence of dresses with pockets. They’re basically nonexistent in name-brand clothing stores and have even been referred to as “…the unicorns of fashion” (teenvougue.com).

   However, women’s pockets haven’t always been this painfully small. Around the 1600s, women actually had bigger storage pouches than men. According to Outside Magazine, “Storage previously wasn’t sewn into clothing; women would wear pockets on a belt around their waist, usually beneath their skirts. These pockets were huge; they were often large enough to carry snacks like oranges and apples.” Most women around the time wore and made these pouches. They were even given as gifts, usually with beautiful patterns sewn onto the outside (outsideonline.com).

   This didn’t last however, as in the 1790s, slimmer and more form-fitting dresses came into fashion. The pouches got smaller and smaller until they weren’t being used anymore. However, at the turn of the Twentieth Century, women turned to more practical clothing with bigger pockets to wear while doing manual labor. This was due to the draft for World War 1, which left many jobs open and ripe for women’s taking (medium.com).

   According to a writer on the Medium website, “In the 1800s, there were campaigns led by the Rational Dress Society, fighting for women’s clothing to be more functional. A 1910 ‘Suffragette suit’ with no less than six pockets became all the rage.” Sewn-in pockets seemed like a step in the right direction. Yet, in the post-war world, manufacturers jumped on the trend and turned it sour. A more feminine and form-fitting look came back in style and women’s pockets reverted back to their pre-war size (medium.com).

   Today, pockets in women’s fashion are finally back in style. Online stores have popped up all over the place using big pockets in pants and dresses as selling points. One of the most notable brands is Radian Jeans, beginning as a Kickstarter and now a full-blown clothes manufacturer. This change, although small, is much appreciated. Hopefully, in the future, pockets keep getting bigger for all (mentalfloss.com).