Women's Pockets: The Real History (And Why It Matters)

For years, I've been seeing posts claiming that having pockets is a feminist triumph or that patriarchy stole them from us. But after decades of collecting and studying vintage women's clothing, I can tell you: that's not what the evidence shows.
From the 1830s through the 1950s, the vast majority of women's day clothes had excellent, functional pockets. So what actually happened? And why does believing we were robbed of our pockets actually rob us of something more important – our agency?
In this video, I walk through the real history of women's pockets, from medieval tie-on pockets to Victorian side seams to the fast fashion shift of the 1970s. I show you garments from my own collection, explain what women actually carried in their pockets throughout history, and trace how we ended up where we are today.
This isn't just fashion history. It's about the difference between seeing ourselves as victims of conspiracy versus recognising our power as makers, menders, and conscious consumers.
Timestamps:
0:00 - My wardrobe: gardening, everyday, and evening
4:23 - Historical dress with pockets
6:15 - Tie-on pockets and what women carried
10:42 - The 18th century: decorated pockets as friendship gifts
12:18 - Fashion changes: empire line to full skirts
14:35 - What happened in the 1970s and beyond
17:20 - Fast fashion and the real culprit
19:45 - Why agency matters more than pockets