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Weddings

15 wedding dresses with pockets that’ll have you swooning

Wedding dresses: we spend an insane amount of money on them but they don’t even have any room in all that fabric for a space to hold your things. And if there’s anyone who needs a pocket, it’s the bride! Well, have no fear, here are some wedding dresses that aren’t just beautiful, they’re practical. A space for your lipstick, some tissue, your phone and maybe even a tampon. Life is good! Why didn’t anyone think of this before?

1. Lela Rose

A woman wears a white wedding dress with lace on top and she has one hand in her pocket.
[Image description: A black woman with dark hair wears a white wedding dress with lace on top and she has one hand in her pocket.] via Martha Stewart Weddings

2. Laure de Sagazan

A woman wears an ivory skirt and top. She has one hand in her pocket
[Image description: A woman wears an ivory skirt and top. She has one hand in her pocket.] via Martha Stewart Weddings

3. Rita Vinieris

A woman wears an ivory lace wedding dress she has one hand in her pocket.
[Image description: A white woman with blond hair wears an ivory lace wedding dress she has one hand in her pocket.] via Martha Stewart Weddings

4. Romana Keveza

A white woman wears a white full sleeved wedding dress. She has one hand in her pocket, while the other holds a bouquet.
[Image description: A white woman wears a white full sleeved wedding dress. She has one hand in her pocket, while the other holds a bouquet.] via Martha Stewart Weddings

5. David’s Bridal

A white woman with dark hair wears a white wedding dress. She has one hand in her pocket.
[Image description: A white woman with dark hair wears a white wedding dress. She has one hand in her pocket.] via Martha Stewart Weddings

6. Jenny Yoo

An Asian woman with dark hair wears a white wedding dress with her hands in her pockets.
[Image description: An Asian woman with dark hair wears a white wedding dress with her hands in her pockets.] via Martha Stewart Weddings

7. David’s Bridal

 A plus size woman stands wearing an ivory wedding dress. She has one hand in her pocket
[Image description: A plus size woman stands wearing an ivory wedding dress. She has one hand in her pocket.] via David’s Bridal

8. Rebecca Ingram

A white woman stands in a garden, wearing a white wedding dress. She has one hand in her pocket.
[Image description: A white woman stands in a garden, wearing a white wedding dress. She has one hand in her pocket.] via brides.com

9. Justin Alexander

A white woman wears a white wedding dress with crystals with her hands in her pocket.
[Image description: A white woman wears a white wedding dress with crystals with her hands in her pocket.] via brides.com

10. David’s Bridal

A woman wears a halter top ivory wedding dress with her hand in her pocket.
[Image description: A woman wears a halter top ivory wedding dress with her hand in her pocket.] via David’s Bridal

11. Amsale

A white woman wears an ivory wedding dress with with her hands in her pockets.
[Image description: A white woman wears an ivory wedding dress with her hands in her pockets.] via theknot.com

12. Rivini

A white woman walks the runway, wearing a white wedding jumpsuit with with one hand in her pocket
[Image description: A white woman walks the runway, wearing a white wedding jumpsuit with with one hand in her pocket.] via theknot.com

13. Victor & Rolf

A woman is wearing a white wedding dress with bows and her hands are in her pockets.
[Image description: A woman is wearing a white wedding dress with bows and her hands are in her pockets.] via theknot.com

14. David’s Bridal

A woman wears an ivory wedding dress with her hand in her pocket.
[Image Description: A woman wears an ivory wedding dress with her hand in her pocket.] via David’s Bridal

15. Rime Arodaky

a woman wears a white lace wedding dress with her hand in her lace pocket.
[Image Description: a woman wears a white lace wedding dress with her hand in her lace pocket.] via Martha Stewart Weddings
Now that you have this exuberant range of choices, go forward, get those pockets in your dream bridal gown and enjoy the wedding without losing that lipstick or pair of sunglasses!

Categories
Editor's Picks History History of Fashion Fashion Lookbook

The size of women’s pockets have a strange, sexist, and oppressive history

Just last week at the airport, I was searching for my passport. It was far down my bag, hidden in my collection of lipsticks, nail files, and unexplainable candy wrappers. As I approached the front of the line, I started getting stressed, but I grabbed it just in time as the security guard laughed at me.

 As I was recovering from the stress-inducing moment that is my life, an old man next to me whipped out his strangely fancy passport cover from his suit jacket pocket and was in and out in about 30 seconds.

Pockets have been anti-feminist from the beginning.

Have you ever wondered why that is? Why is it that I am carrying this huge bag containing everything under the sun, and this business bro just has his suit jacket?

Pockets have been anti-feminist from the beginning.

According to the Victoria and Albert Museum, women’s pockets began in the 17th century. They weren’t yet sewn into clothing and were a separate article of clothing tied around a woman’s waist. Because of the price, pockets were a sign of wealth. They were large, embroidered, and incredibly delicate.

At this time, to avoid visibility, women wore pockets underneath their petticoat. So because the pockets were underneath all those all layers, they were accessible through a series of slits. This made them invisible, but accessible, and very inconvenient.

pockets
[image description: pockets sewn in the 19th century] Via Victoria and Albert Museum
Meanwhile, at the same time, pockets were sewn into the jackets, waistcoats, and breeches. For men, pockets have always been perfect. They have not changed the layout of pockets for men since the 17th century.

In the 1790s, pockets went out of style.

A Greek-inspired high waist draping dress replaced the typical Victorian hoop skirt. If there were two huge fanny packs on your hips, it would ruin the shape of the dress. Enter: the handbag.

At the time they were called reticules, and they were so small you could barely fit coins. Instead, women would wear them kind of like the pocket at the front of an apron, with a ribbon tying it in the back. That sounds less than convenient as well. But men still have pockets in their jackets and pants.

reticle
[image description: reticule, England, 1800-24. Victoria and Albert Museum] Via Victoria and Albert Museum
The 20th century is where things get interesting.

In 1933, Women’s Wear Daily “boldly” asked the “controversial” question, “should women wear trousers?” Women were going to work now, and it was only practical to allow it. So Marlene Dietrich, a woman, French pilot, and professional badass, then enters the scene, wearing some trousers, doing her thing, and once again shows womankind the amazing benefits of pockets.

In 1954, Christian Dior famously said: “Men have pockets to keep things in, women for decoration.”

Because of her, the style tended to be more utilitarian looking. And it was amazing.

marlene
[image description: Marlene Dietrich, pioneer of androgynous clothing, lounges by in a chair] Via Paul Cwojdzinski in Smithsonian Magazine
Later, though, the popular silhouettes changed. Where in the 1930s it was desirable to look like a full-figured Marilyn Monroe, the latter 20th century decided women should be skinny. Having things in your pockets at your hips apparently ruins the facade that your hips are prepubescent looking. So, naturally, pockets leave us again.

Skinny women have been the main fashion narrative, really, since forever. 

In 1954, Christian Dior famously said: “Men have pockets to keep things in, women for decoration.” And isn’t he right? Men have four functional pockets in each pair of pants. And women put their phones in their back pockets, because, well, it doesn’t fit in the front.

When is the last time you put anything in your front pocket?

Not that you need to be reminded, but the patriarchy is still in full swing.

Now that gender-fluid fashion is at the cusp of popularity, we are beginning to see a shift in what masculine/feminine is, the gaps between that dichotomy, and, an increase in pockets for women. This spring, a huge trend that is hitting stores are utilitarian styles, which means we can all embrace our inner Marlene Dietrich. At least I will be.

Not that you need to be reminded, but the patriarchy is still in full swing.

You’d think clothes are designed for women, that the fashion industry knows their market, and that the pieces designed would in some shape or form make comfort a priority- especially given the massive size of the female fashion industry. The reality is far from it.

Next time I am at the airport, I will definitely keep my passport in my pocket.

Because you know what? Marlene Dietrich would have – and I definitely can too.

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