There Is a Centuries-Old Story Behind Why Women's Pockets Are so Small
The front pockets of women's jeans are, on average, 48% shorter and 6.5% narrower compared to men's jeans of the same waist size. The origin of this disparity dates back centuries, to when women used to attach their pockets as separate bags under their dresses.
So, how did women's pockets become so small?
Only 40% of the front pockets in women's jeans can completely accommodate a smartphone.
In a study conducted in 2018, the pockets of 80 jeans from the top 20 denim brands in the U.S. were measured. To ensure a fair comparison, all male and female models chosen had the same waist size.
According to the results, the front pockets of women's jeans were on average 48% shorter and 6.5% narrower. Only 40% of these pockets could fully accommodate a smartphone. The difference was much less in the case of back pockets.
For centuries, women carried their purses tied around their waists under their skirts, rather than sewing pockets into their clothes.
Pockets have been a staple in men's clothing in Europe since at least the Renaissance period. Women, on the other hand, used a separate fabric pouch as a pocket from approximately 1650 until the end of the 19th century. This pouch was tied around the waist, positioned under the skirts, and accessed through an opening in the dress.
Moreover, these pockets were quite large; many were 40 centimeters long and 30 centimeters wide. Women carried everyday items such as keys, money, scissors, thimbles, and glasses in them.
As the 18th century drew to a close, clothing became more refined, leading to a reduction in pocket size. Consequently, small handbags emerged as the new norm.
By the end of the 18th century, voluminous and layered skirts fell out of fashion, making way for slender and body-hugging dresses. Large pockets were downsized as they would bulge under these dresses, and eventually disappeared altogether.
Women started to carry their belongings in small drawstring bags known as 'reticules'. These bags are recognized as the first type of handbag designed for women. A quote attributed to the famous fashion designer Christian Dior in 1954 encapsulates this shift in perspective:
'Men's pockets are for carrying things, women's are for decoration.' - Christian Dior
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