When we think of fashion, we often conjure images of haute couture, runway shows, and the ever-changing styles that define the eras. However, fewer topics elicit a bemused chuckle or ignited passionate debates than the humble pocket. This seemingly trivial feature of our garments is steeped in a rich history, particularly in women’s fashion. The story of pockets is emblematic of societal changes, gender roles, and the often-unnoticed evolution of women’s clothing over the centuries. Let’s dive into the perplexing, humorous, and at times absurd history of women’s pockets and their significance in fashion.
The Origins of Pockets: A Brief Historical Overview
Pockets, as we know them today, did not always exist. In the 17th century, clothing for both men and women did not feature sewn-in pockets. Instead, individuals employed tied-on pouch-like pockets hidden beneath layers of clothing. For women, this meant that practicality must adhere to societal constraints, often resulting in cumbersome multi-layered garments just to carry essentials.
For instance, the early 1600s saw women wearing gowns with voluminous skirts filled with hidden pockets. These pockets, often called “pocket holes,” held not just private knickknacks but also crucial items like money, sewing supplies, and personal mementos. Yet, despite their practical use, the need for pockets was often overshadowed by the cumbersome nature of women’s fashion itself, contributing to the popular assertion that “women’s clothing is impractical.”
Interestingly, this carrying method also served as a comment on class and the strictly segregated gender roles of the time. While men sported utilitarian pockets, women’s solutions were often painstakingly hidden and decorative, demonstrating their status and adherence to the era’s norms.
The Disappearing Act: 19th Century Changes
With the turn of the 19th century and the rise of the Victorian era, pockets underwent another transformation. The importance of modesty dictated that women’s silhouettes became increasingly complicated. Skirts expanded, corsets tightened, and layers proliferated. In this context, pockets began to disappear altogether from women’s fashion, ostensibly for reasons of propriety.
Women’s gowns shifted towards being more form-fitting, reflecting notions of femininity by embracing an exaggerated hourglass figure, leading to less functionality in clothing. As gowns became more elaborate, the need for hidden pockets waned. Instead, sewing a pocket into the garment became an unfathomable design consideration—why would an elegant gown need pockets when the emphasis was on appearance rather than functionality?
This gradual disappearance of practical design coincided with a societal shift. The late 19th century saw the rise of the suffragette movement and a call for women to embrace their independence, alongside their imminent battles for rights and equality. Ironically, one of the symbols of this growing independence—the ability to carry one’s own essentials—was systematically stripped away during this period.
The Comedic Revival: Early 20th Century and World Wars
With the advent of the 20th century, fashion began to change drastically. Edwardian and then flapper styles saw rapid evolution, leading clothing designers to reconsider the practicality of the pocket. The First World War brought a surprising utility to women’s fashion. As women stepped into roles traditionally held by men, they required more practical and functional clothing.
Women donned trousers, tailored suits, and coats that came equipped with pockets as they joined the workforce in unprecedented numbers. The comedic irony of the shift was palpable—pockets became a necessary feature of women’s clothing just when women were breaking free from their traditional roles. However, while pockets were being resurrected, the fashion industry had not entirely shed the pervasive belief that women’s bodies must be constrained by fashion.
As the 1920s gave way to a decade defined by independence and rebelliousness, the prohibition of pockets in women’s evening gowns became a running joke of sorts. Many women, tired of the impractical designs, resorted to carrying small clutch bags, ingeniously designed to elicit both humor and frustration as they struggled to fit essential items into their diminutive evening wear.
Comedic sketches, performances, and anecdotes from this time poked fun at women’s incessant need for their lost pockets. The fate of pockets became symbolic of the complexities surrounding women’s rights and societal expectations, with jokes highlighting the strange duality of emerging independence while fighting against traditional fashion’s many constraints.
The Fashion Revolution: 1960s Onward
The cultural upheaval of the 1960s heralded a turning point in women’s rights and fashion. The Feminist Movement catalyzed changes in societal expectations, with women demanding freedom of expression not just in their words and actions, but also in their attire. The concept of keeping pockets in women’s clothing was embraced by a newfound wave of designers who integrated function into their clothes while striving for modern styles that suited the era’s ethos.
Two pockets became rather commonplace in women’s clothing—an influential breakthrough in either casual wear or classic skirts. The world witnessed the rise of “cargo pants” designed for both sexes, which humorously highlighted pockets as a necessity—much to the disdain of those upholding high fashion standards.
With the 1980s and the emergence of shoulder pads, women began wearing suits reminiscent of their male counterparts, finally embracing a balance between femininity and practicality. Designs that included pockets became celebrated, as they signified empowerment within a fashion landscape previously riddled with restrictions.
However, the irony of the movement was a juxtaposition between designer aspirations and the practicality of actual women. While fashion houses experimented with pocket placements for “look” rather than function, women often reverted to handbags—satirizing the fashion decisions that left women unprepared to manage their own everyday essentials.
The Pockets Quandary: Recent Trends and Modern Fashion
The closing years of the 20th century and the dawn of the 21st century rekindled debates about pockets: who gets them and how they are used? The rise of athleisure and casual wear, alongside more practical fashion trends laid the groundwork for greater integration of practical pockets in women’s clothing.
Still, the struggle for equitable pocket sizes persists—while many women’s jeans boast decorative pockets, men’s jeans tend to favor larger, functional counterparts. This marked a humorous and frustrating commentary on the ongoing fight for practicality within women’s fashion.
Notably, social media has amplified conversations surrounding pockets, with memes and TikTok videos humorously highlighting the ridiculousness of tiny pockets or their absence. Brand awareness has grown, demanding more thoughtful designs catering to women’s needs in fashions that fit their lifestyles.
Fashion houses like Gucci and Balenciaga have started embracing pockets as a central selling point in their designs. The attention to pockets has also sparked conversations around size inclusivity, prompting clothing brands to consider plus-size styles that include actual usable pockets, rather than their conventional decorative counterparts.
Conclusion: A Pocketful of History
The journey of women’s pockets is a comedic and poignant reflection of shifting societal norms and values. Whatever the decade or fashion trend, the history of pockets highlights the ridiculousness of certain fashion standards, capturing the essence of gender roles and a quest for equality within the fabric of fashion.
Today, pockets serve as symbols of women reclaiming their space in fashion, allowing them to break free from traditional constraints. In embracing practical designs, we not only acknowledge the humor in history but the ongoing evolution of societal ideals surrounding women’s clothing. And so, each time we reach into the recesses of our dresses, skirts, or pants for that coveted pocket, we acknowledge the hidden history woven into fashion—and embrace the power of the pocket.
FAQ
1. Why did pockets disappear from women’s fashion for so long?
Pockets largely vanished from women’s fashion due to societal norms surrounding modesty and feminine silhouettes, which prioritized aesthetics over practicality. As clothing became more form-fitting in the 19th century, the design focus shifted away from functionality, resulting in the absence of convenient pockets.
2. What are some funny anecdotes or quotes about women’s pockets?
Many comedic moments have surfaced in various forms of media, from sitcoms to stand-up routines poking fun at the impracticality of women’s clothing. For example, comedians have joked about needing a “coat with real pockets” as a mark of empowerment, highlighting the absurdity of tiny pockets or none at all.
3. How has the perception of pockets changed in recent years?
Over the past few years, the perception of pockets has evolved to embrace practicality, with a growing emphasis on inclusivity and functionality. Social media and movements advocating for women’s rights have fostered conversations about why women’s clothing should be equipped with usable pockets.
4. Are there any fashion brands known for their innovative use of pockets in women’s wear?
Yes, several brands, including Gucci, Balenciaga, and Everlane, have emphasized the utility of pockets in their designs. These brands focus on merging style with practicality, allowing women to carry their essentials without compromising on fashion.
5. Do men’s clothing typically have larger pockets than women’s?
Yes, generally-speaking, men’s clothing tends to feature larger and more functional pockets compared to women’s clothing. This discrepancy often becomes a humorous point of contention in conversations about gender-specific fashion. Brands are slowly starting to address this imbalance.
6. How can consumers advocate for better pocket designs in women’s clothing?
Consumers can advocate for better pocket designs by voicing their needs to brands through social media campaigns, product reviews, and direct communication. Supporting brands that prioritize functionality over just aesthetics and sharing feedback about clothing designs can also encourage more inclusive fashion choices.
