This Week I Learnt About Pockets

I have to say a huge THANK YOU to PK as her comment on one of my posts led me on a search for the history of women's pockets. 

I found some articles, and now I'm suitably annoyed at the inequality of pocket-availability and accessibility. 

(Also, I think it's built into our DNA - when I find something that has functional pockets, I'm totally thrilled! Also BIKSS has said to me that whenever I get a new piece of clothing, I'll immediately point out the pockets if it has them! And I'm not the only one who does that - my friends will point out pockets in new outfits too!)

Here are some links if you would like to read a bit more on the subject. 

The Bewildering and Sexist History of Women’s Pockets

"As women’s fashion evolved in the 1790s, the pocket slowly began to disappear as more figure hugging dresses came in fashion. Women had to revert to having their ‘pockets’ on show to the world, opting for small decorative bags, called reticules, that could scarcely fit a hankie and a coin. This was essentially an embodiment of the fact that women had next to no access to money or property, therefore wouldn’t need a functional pocket."

The Ridiculous Reason Most Women's Clothes Don't Have Real Pockets

(Includes an audio of the podcast episode Where the f*** are the pockets on women's clothing? on Stuff Mom Never Told You)

"Some say it was a way to keep women powerless. If they had no way to secretly carry items around, it would be harder for them to travel independently or conduct clandestine affairs."

How society decided that women can't have pockets

"Men were much more likely to lock their keys in the car, but nearly half of all women reported that they often didn’t even know where their keys were.

But it’s not women’s fault. It’s the fault of the psychopathic sadists in charge of making their clothes."

(If you prefer to watch / listen to that article instead of reading it, there's a Youtube video on that page or you can click on this link - Why women's clothes should have pockets)

The Politics of Pockets

"Writing for The Spectator in 2011, Paul Johnson offers a witty, thumbnail history of the sartorial convention of the pocket, and he caps his piece with a 1954 Christian Dior bon mot: "Men have pockets to keep things in, women for decoration." 

Tease apart that quote and you get a fairly essentialist view of gender roles as they play out in clothing. Men’s dress is designed for utility; women’s dress is designed for beauty. It’s not a giant leap to see how pockets, or the lack thereof, reinforce sexist ideas of gender. Men are busy doing things; women are busy being looked at. Who needs pockets?"

(Scroll all the way to the end of the page for the video version... )

So, ladies, let me know what you think about the whole pocket - no pocket - faux pocket situation.

I would love to hear your comments on this topic. Did you know there was such a thing? Were you aware of the political / sexist implications? Are you a fan of pockets? Is it a make-or-break for you? 

Let me know down below! 

My mood pic today ~