By Myra Chen
It’s the little things in life that matter the most. Little things, a.k.a. six inch squares of fabric sewed conveniently on articles of clothing, created to keep valuables safe and at an arm’s length. Often overlooked, pockets are necessary for their convenience and their comfortability.
Hand-sized trinkets are essential for everyday function. Imagine life without your wallet, keys, phone and lip balm. That’s what life is like without pockets, without somewhere accessible to place them during a day out. Despite being hand-sized, these items quickly add up in the palm of your hand, restricting movement and effective maneuvering. Holding a bunch of things in your hands can be overwhelming, especially when running errands. Pockets are the perfect resolution for convenient access to your necessities.
Having these items on call is important, especially during the winter. For some, winter means holidays and snow. For others, it means suffering from the sting of their tongue running over their cracked lips. Chapped lips are the single most annoying condition to have to deal with. It’s remedy? Lip balm. Having pockets would mean that you have the fix on you, 24/7.
Not only is the winter cold for your lips, but it is cold for your hands. Pockets provide a source of comfort. Neighboring your lip balm, your hands can rest peacefully in warmth. The frosted tips of your fingers would never have to be tucked under your armpits.
Even when it’s not winter, pockets serve another function. It’s not an uncommon occurrence to not know what to do with your hands. It’s a painfully awkward experience, with your hands swinging stiffly, ever so slightly. With pockets, you won’t have to do anything with your arms—they can rest in the nooks of your clothing.
Despite being reliable, versatile and an all-around amazing contraption, pockets are disappearing. And it’s upsetting. Imagine this: your hands have reached their maximum occupancy. You lower them to dump your belongings into the vast well in your pants. But, you find that your “pocket” is merely an opening. Half an inch deep.
Faux pockets are the antagonist in every story. Deceptive and the definition of a letdown, non-pocket pockets pull you into a false sense of security, making you think that you have a protected space for your trinkets and miscellaneous items.
Fake pockets neglect their original function. They are a product of a trend, beginning in the medieval times. Pockets first existed in the shape of large exterior bags, attached to the waistband. Over time, these pockets have shifted into small interior holdings. Flash forward to modern day, pockets are often sewn shut for decorative purposes and to minimize cost.
The fuel for this evolution? Sexism. In the 18th century, a woman had little access to money and properties, not allowed to leave her husband’s house. Discouraging the departure of women from their homes, pockets were removed from women’s clothing in some places, influencing the current disparity in pockets sizes. While the average male article of clothing has 9.1 inch by 6.4 inch pockets, women’s clothing has 5.6 inch by 6 inch pockets.
With less of a means to carry little things around on a day to day basis, the shoulder bag, and its variations, was created for women. As much as they can be the perfect accessory, bags are also pricey, bulky, risky and a target for bag-snatchers. So, as helpful as the shoulder bag is, it does not beat the convenience of pockets.
We don’t appreciate what we have until it’s gone. In this case, we are losing practicality to fast-fashion. We need pockets. Bigger pockets. Pockets in jackets. Pockets in pants. Pockets in dresses. Pockets in women’s clothing. Pockets everywhere.
