Am I the only one who does NOT want pockets on dresses?

[FeelingSad2024]

I've seen a few threads on here about dresses with pockets, people bemoaning the lack of pockets on dresses, praising brands who do put pockets on dresses... but I hate it!

If I am wearing a lovely floaty summer dress, what exactly am I going to be putting in my pockets? At a push I might put my car keys in a pocket but anything else, like my mobile or purse, is too heavy/bulky- invariably it pulls the side of the dress down and ruins the line/look of the lovely floatiness. On the flip side, sometimes the pockets are too big (too much fabric) so you end up with weird lumps/bumps in the fabric at the hips where the pockets lie, even with nothing in them.

I've started to buy a few autumn/winter dresses and even if thicker fabrics I am finding the same problem.

So to pockets on dresses I say, no thank you! Surely I can't be the only one?

Me too. But if you don't, surely you just don't use the pockets?

I like pockets - I’d like it even more if they had a zip - but that’s after years of living with boys that insist on zippy pockets - I now get it

You aren’t the only one. I prefer no pockets. If they are there, I cut them out and sew up the openings.

Agreed! re unnecessary bulking. Wish there were more close fitting jersey dresses with flattering v neckline, no blousy sleeves and no tiered bottom.

You have a good point. It sounds good in theory, but who would really want the extra bulk

I like pockets but only if they don't ruin the line of the dress. But I only ever put a tissue in them (I have hay fever). I would never put a phone or keys in them.

You don't have to use them though if you don't want.

Pockets are a feminist issue, women's clothing used to incorporate pockets, either in the garment or in a separate pocket you wore around your waist under outer garments.

The removal of pockets was dur to men claiming suffragettes hid things in their pockets.

I love them, but I have always been function over style and just love being able to walk out the door with my phone in my pocket and no bag. I'm already big so I look bulky regardless.

I love pockets. I put my hands in there!

I've accidentally bought shorts with pretend pockets before and they end up never being worn. I just feel a lot more relaxed and comfortable if I've got somewhere to stuff my hands.

I think that creating a dress with pockets without adding extra bulk is exactly the kind of problem that our expensively schooled designers should be capable of solving. (The same goes for designing a decent looking bad weather coat but don't get me started on that.)

But, as other posters have already said, I care far, far more about jackets and coats with inside pockets. I've noticed that even the cheapest men's jackets have at least one. We're being scammed, vipers.

Pockets please. Makes me feel more carefree in the summer.
My fave summer dress has pockets, my second fave doesn't, even though it could without spoiling the line and I wish it did.

I don't like them in dresses,jackets definitely.

Love how you've put this. Dont know if youre referring to that but there's a historical connection between being considered decorative and women not having pockets. I found it quite interesting if anyone wants a read. https://wearfranc.com/blogs/lets-be-franc/the-history-of-pockets-in-womens-clothing#:~:text=Pockets%20began%20to%20disappear%20as,if%20their%20husbands%20had%20pockets.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/06/style/pockets-womens-clothing.html

I love pockets in everything. I don't tend to wear skirts, 90% of my dresses have pockets, the couple that don't I miss having somewhere to put things. Usually my glasses or phone, the later gets misplaced multiple times a day.

I must have pockets! And I wear a lot of summer floaty dresses.
Sometimes I often have to add my own pockets or reinforce the existing ones.
The practicality of real life means I need sizeable pockets when walking my dogs for car keys, phone, poo bags, tennis ball. I can't be bothered to carry a bag.
If the dress is more voluminous made of delicate fabric, then it's not as noticeable.
Jersey type of fabrics (which I don't wear) show everything.
It depends on the cut of the dress/skirt.
I don't actually care what it looks like when I walk the dogs.
The rest of the time it looks perfect so not an issue.
Pockets rock! Good big pockets that is.

Agreed. Pockets ruin the outline of a dress everything goes into a handbag. No need!

I put my ventolin and my hands in my pockets.
What do you do with your hands otherwise?

I'm in the toddler-mum phase so pockets are so handy for those things they carelessly drop while you're out and about and then run off because you can't grab the thing, shove it in your pocket and then run after them and catch them (example: we were at a museum yesterday and she was taking pictures with an old digital camera but saw something in the distance so plop! Went the camera on the floor (it was fine) and she bolted. I scooped it up and shoved it in my dress pocket and ran behind her, catching her by both hands before she collided with a stair case railing). 5 points to dress pockets!

I'm with you OP. Pockets just add bulk/skew the shape of garments, even those that are well made - it's a physical impossibility to add more fabric, more stitching and not add more bulk! I'm pear shaped so pockets always accentuate my widest part.

I just use my handbag to put stuff in 🤷🏼‍♀️

This.

Don't expect to carry your wallet and keys, in a floaty summer dress. Just wear jeans or jeggings under them - not the ones with fake, stitched down pockets, of course.

Or, just buy clothing meant for men - they don't sag uncomfortably. Men's designers have somehow found a way for wearers to have a life, whilst being comfortable.

I’m with you! I hate pockets , in particular those side ones in sleeveless linen dresses (next etc) The first thing I do with side pockets is remove them and machine up the side hem to close the gap, gives a much smoother line in my opinion .
Those of you who say it means you don’t need a bag - I’d need huge bulging pockets to hold a purse, make up bag, hair brush, keys, hairbrush, phone? The only thing I put in a coat pocket is a bus ticket or a parking ticket
Plus my husband often says can you put my wallet in your bag? He obviously doesn’t have big enough pockets!
Which reminds me of a ghastly man who used to go to my local jive dance venue “ don’t get too excited, it’s only a phone in my pocket”….

I don’t feel like pockets on dresses add bulk.
I prefer a pocket, I don’t want to use them to carry things around all day just it’s nice to quickly hold something in there if your hands are full.

I rarely store things in my dress pockets (an exception is a summer maxi whose pockets are hidden in the voluminous skirt, and can hold actual WATER BOTTLES!!!) .

I want the pockets for my hands. I feel better with my hands in my pockets.

I’m not fussed about pockets either. I don’t use them, so would never seek out a dress that had pockets. I carry a small bag to keep phone/keys etc in

I love pockets, would happily have them in everything.

Even though I rarely put anything in them if I dont have them then my hands just automatically slide around trying to find them!!LOL

Yes!!!! It's nice on some styles but just doesn't work on a thinner floaty material- just adds unnecessary bulk on the hips and ruins the line of the skirt