It’s 2009 and seven-year-old-me is wearing my overalls that have FIVE pockets–two in front, two in back, and one on my chest with a flower on it. I parade through the playground, boasting about how much stuff I can carry– my lucky rock, the batteries from my TV remote, a bouncy ball, and a corn dog stick. But then I see my nemesis Gavin, who is wearing overalls just like mine. Except Gavin’s overalls have SIX pockets. It was at this moment that I realized how the world really is for women, which is why I would like to share some information on the glaring pocket inequity between the sexes. 

Pockets have been a big fashion trend for the last four hundred years. And while men’s pockets have always been, you know, normal, women have had to deal with tiny pouches and purses for centuries. And for what reason? Well, because apparently, women have “four external bulges already–two breasts and two hips– and a money pocket inside their dress would make an ungainly fifth.”And as women entered the workforce during World War Two, having fabric between their legs became more socially acceptable, hence the emergence of women’s pants… without pockets. Fashion was obsessed with slimming down women and pockets simply didn’t have that effect. 

But coming out of the pocket of the past, let’s see how women’s and men’s pockets compare to each other today. We women all know the struggle of finding that one really good pair of jeans that make your butt look so good, only to find that the pockets either only fit half of your pinky or are entirely fake. Back in August of 2018, The Pudding wrote an article measuring 80 different pairs of blue jeans for both men and women, and found that, on average, women’s pockets are 48% shorter and 6.5% narrower than men’s. Not only that, but only 10% of women’s jeans could fit a woman’s hand. In this day and age, having useless pockets is frustrating.  Men carry all their items in their pockets while women are forced to just drop things all the time. And ever since I started my period, my grandma has told me to keep a pad in my pocket at all times. But the sad truth is, a pad won’t fit. Look, fashion industry, I menstruate and I just need a convenient spot for my lady towels!

To solve this problem, we first need to acknowledge that not having pockets is an actual problem. To move forward from this pocket of distress, we need to make it evident that WE WANT BETTER POCKETS.  Let’s also mention that these so called “fake pockets” aren’t really fake–designers actually make real pockets and then SEW THEM SHUT.  There are even DIY videos from mom blogs that show us how to open them, which is one solution. The other is a full-on rebellion. Don’t wear those brands that sew pockets closed because they make us slimmer; support those with real pockets. We need to start demanding a better alternative to a purse.    

Women’s pockets are just plain horrible. But we can see a brighter future. If we make it evident that we want pockets, maybe someone will listen. Because once my hand fits in my pocket, we will finally live in a world where men and women are equal…at least clothing-wise.