Pockets around the web: a woman discovers the magic of pockets, plus why can't we have functional clothing?

A woman wears men's clothing (suits, specifically) for a month.  Of course, her notes from day one are about pockets!  The whole article, beyond pockets too, is worth a read.  The Dallas Morning News also wrote a related opinion piece on the constant tug-of-war between clothing for function and women as decorative.

Pockets around the web: Svaha dresses and skirts

Brittany has sent me a link to a website with great science-and-other-themed dresses and skirts.  While I don't have one (yet??), they advertise their pockets as functional!  That seems highly promising.

Pocket review: Land's End Down Commuter Long Coat

I bought this coat in 2014.  The closest coat I can find on the Land's End website has a similar name (Commuter Down Long Coat).  They advertise that it has the same helpful pass-through where you can get to a deep pocket inside the coat (and your own pants pockets!).  The current edition also still has nice fleece pockets beside the pass-through pockets.  (Also they have it in a lovely shade of blue now.  They did not when I was buying.  WOE.)  This current model, however, seems to lack the front outer pockets which I found handy for dog-poop bags and quick mitten stashing.  However, even when de-pocketed on the outside, with all the other pockets and pocket access, this coat still rates as amazing in pockets!  Detailed measurements are in the photo captions since there are SO MANY pockets.  I count seven on mine, and there should be five on the new model (since it lacks the outer front flapped pockets but retains the others according to its description).

The wearer's left (right in this photo) has an inner zippered pocket measuring 6 x 6".  I believe this is the one in the description noted as "small vertical pocket with secure zip closure".

The outer pockets, with a flap (and two snaps), are no longer available on the current model.  On my coat there are two (one per side) and they measure 6" wide, 7" deep in the middle, and the entry is slightly diagonal with a length of 6 1/2".  Each side also has a fleece-lined pocket (in the photo, shown by my thumb).  The fleece-lined pocket is about 7" deep from the pass-through opening, and a good size for warming hands.  Finally, my fingers are in the pass-through opening that lets you get to the inner pockets (last photo) or your own clothing.  The opening is 6" and has both a zipper and a snap (next photo) to close it, although even with temperatures in the negative double digits (both Celsius and Fahrenheit... brrr) I've never actually needed to shut these.

This is the inside of the coat from the pass-through opening (visible on the right side of the pocket).  You can also see the snap and zipper that can be used to close the pass-through.  There is one bit of velcro, maybe an inch long, to secure this pocket if you desire.  This pocket is 8 x 8" and I haven't ever had anything fall out of these (cell phone, keys, wallet, dog bags).  As for the outer and fleece pockets, this inner pocket is duplicated on both the left and right sides.

Edited 2017/01/27 to link with #SaturdayShareLinkUp!

Pocket review: Cabela's Women's 7-pocket Hiker Pants

I have gone through so many pairs of these over the years and loved them.  They came in classic and modern fits (high waisted and low waisted). Sadly, Cabela's appear to have stopped making them as their website no longer shows how to buy them.  If you find them at a thrift store or used, though, I highly recommend their pockets.  Rest in peace, hiker pants.

Pockets around the web: Poche Posh pocket clothes

I was reading one of my favorite knitting blogs yesterday when I came across a link in the comments about pockets.  Apparently there's a new (?) online store called Poche Posh which specifically advertises that all their clothing has pockets!  Of especial interest are dresses and skirts with pockets, which can be hard to find at all with any pockets.  They also have some pants and cardigans too.

Pocket review: Worthington Modern Fit dress pants

I got these slacks at a thrift store, but Worthington Modern Fit pants appear to be available at JC Penney's.  My specimen here is a size 8 in a navy blue color.  These are an angled/slash front pocket; the opening is about 5 3/4".  They are 6.5" deep at the deepest point (from the top pocket edge to the bottom), about 6.5" wide, and with a rounded lower edge (so not quite 6.5 x 6.5" square because of the roundness).  The pockets connect to the front zipper and side seam for stability, but the usable space does not extend to the zipper (unlike the Gloria Worthington Amanda jeans).  The two back "pockets" are fake.  I have taken keys and wallet in one pocket, phone in the other pocket, and had no escapees.  Particularly for slacks, these are quite decent pockets!

Pocket shapes on the inside of Worthington Modern Fit pants. My photo shows a repair I did at the front pocket seam (the brown seam on the right side of the left-appearing pocket).  I am not worried about quality, though, as these were at a thrift store and thus already used before I got them.  

The front pocket openings look about 5" here but are actually 5 3/4".

Pockets around the web: a sewing pattern with endless pockets

Erin at dressaday.com almost always sews her dresses with pockets, and her latest creation has what look to be amazing, deep pockets.

Pocket review: Gloria Vanderbilt Amanda Stretch Fit Jeans

This specimen is a size 8 misses, average, purchased at Beall's in 2016 in a dark denim color (I can't figure out the name of it anymore).

The front pockets are 2.5" at the side seam and about 6" deep at the front edge of the pocket, which is also the deepest point of the pocket.  The pocket is connected to the waistband such that there is an odd little section of the pocket that continues over to the zipper (visible in photo).  This should keep the waistband from distorting if you put anything heavy in, though since these are sturdy jeans it may not matter anyway.  My hands fit in mostly, keys and wallet are secure together in one pocket (though tight), and my phone makes it most of the way into a front pocket by itself (it doesn't seem in danger of escaping).

Jeans inside out to show the shape and extent of front pockets.

The right front side has an additional pocket about 2.25" wide and about 3" deep.  I've never used it.  The two back pockets are each about 5.25" from edge to deepest point, typical jeans pockets.

Front pockets, showing the right-hand side small pocket (appears left in this photo, will be the wearer's right pocket).

On a scale from terrible to amazing, these are decent pockets.

Pockets, a necessity

I love pockets and I find them necessary.  This blog is devoted to the details of pockets in women's clothing.  Sadly, you have to shop in person and go through dozens of pairs of pants or skirts or dresses to find one with functional pockets.  Women need clothes that are not just decorative.  Pockets are critical in the smartphone era (while smartphones can be larger and harder to fit into even generous pockets), but have been handy for storing things like oranges, scissors, and gin since olden times.  Here I will feature clothing and accessories that are known to have good pockets; pocket measurements and descriptions; and pockets in the news.