Pocket history

With all the talk of SCOTTEVEST clothing and the like I wonder if pockets in travel clothing are not subject to an arms race  — like the one between automakers for who could carve out the most  minivan cupholders (I know, so 90’s). Here’s an interesting BBC H2G2 article on the history of the pocket. An excerpt:

Looking to the modern pocket, we must go back to the trousers again. We are now in the late 1700s. Let’s say it’s 1784 before some poor soul gets sick and tired of having to remember to tie his pocket on every day before he gets dressed. Most likely, you know a person like this. This is a person who has problems remembering to put his trousers on before his shoes, let alone remembering to tie his pocket on before his trousers.

Yet, absent minded as he is, he is no dunce. Therefore, in a fit of pique, he asks his wife to sew the pocket right to his trousers so he will never forget it again. And suddenly, there you have it. The pocket. The real, true, ultimate pocket. The friendly pocket you and I know and love that has been our most intimate friend since childhood… warming cold hands or holding fluff, bits of string and useless notes from friends long past and best forgotten.

I find one pocket to be absolutely indispensable: the inside breast pocket on a jacket, provided it’s deep enough to secure a wallet and ticket. And why shouldn’t there always be one on both sides instead of just on the left. This must be irritating to left-handed folk. 

Comments

[Lisa FD]

Pockets, especially the internal ones, are a great thing in my opinion. Unfortunately most women's clothing, except for sportier coats, lack any type of functional pockets. They are either too small or decorative.

Years ago I was able to buy nice clothing from Travel Smith that had several pockets, including hidden ones. They were great for carrying a few essentials so that I could eliminate a hand bag. Admittedly, I am not a fashionista so lugging a purse around is something I'd prefer not do even when not traveling.

Let the arms race begin but let's put some style into the garments!

[Monte L. Steiger]

Lisa, I'm in agreement. It sems I am always saying to my wife, "Put this in your pocket" It doesn't do me any good. Even is some of her garments have pockets they don't function to hold things like a pocket knife or coins. She finally found a travel blazer from Orvis, made in USA that does have good pockets althugh they are of the petite variety. Whe plans to take it on our next trip - without the pocket knife.

[Maria]

Pcokets - wonderful invention! However, several jackets for women with pockets have corresponding pocket sizes to the size of the actual jacket. Have you ever bought a cardigan sweater in a smaller size to find the buttons won't fit in the button holes as the same size buttons for larger sizes of the idential style? They "shrink" the sweater to a size small but forget that shrinking the button holes may cause a problem. (I admit - usually on cheap items!) I found the same thing for jackets with pockets. A particular pocket may claim to hold a standard I-phone or Kindle for example. But the small or extra-small size of the garment can often apply to the size of the pockets. So test out in advance if possible.

[OzBarb]

And for women, it's not just the size of the pockets - the placement also matters! As one who buys bras in bucket rather than cup size, there is no way I can put even a dainty hankie into any sort of chest pocket. Even an extra layer of cloth there is de trop. I want generously-sized pockets inside and out on all tops - but below the bra-band level.