The Topic: Dresses with pockets
The Debate: This year’s Oscar darling Jennifer Hudson got dinged for wearing a Red Carpet gown outfitted with -– of all things -– pockets. But it’s not just Red Carpet gowns that are getting this tomboyish treatment. You can find plenty a casual dress with pockets, too like this Free People Baggy Pocket Flirty Dress ($128). It’s only one of thousands out there right now defying an unwritten rule that pockets belong on pants and pants alone.
Don’t get me wrong, pockets are fab. They’re great for a quick stash-and-go, they limit bulky baggage in tight-squeeze bars, and there’s always the chance I’ll find a $10 bill in mine. But they defy the very purpose of dresses, that is, to make you feel pretty and girly. Jamming your hands deep in the pockets of a dress does nothing for your shape (think hunched shoulders, stumpy arms and two big wads of fabric adding unnecessary bulk to your hips). And let’s not forget that pockets negate the need for two of fashion’s greatest pleasures: a fantastic handbag and a fabulous manicure.
The Verdict: In my opinion, we need to keep pockets where they belong -– on pants and shorts. What do you think? Do dresses with pockets hit all the bases of form and function, or are they a good, utilitarian idea gone horribly awry? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.
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I love pockets on dresses, not everyone wants to carry around a purse to hold id, tip money, and lipstick – all of which would fit in a pocket perfectly. I think the cocktail dress pockets need to be made well – hidden in the side seam and sewn to the garmet somehow along the top to prevent too much bunching. I think they really work well in full skirt dresses, plenty of folds to get lost in without adding bulk. I think outside pockets on more casual dresses are a great way to add pizazz.
pockets in dresses are fabulous and perfect for formalwear. It’s less fussy, but still elegant look, that’s a timehonored classic. Vintage Bill Blass, Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrara–pockets in skirts and dresses have been around for years.
It’s all about quality. hunching shoulders and bunchy fabric mean badly designed pieces. A well cut pocket will lay perfectly flat and hidden.
I like the cocktail dresses with hidden pockets since they keep the look sleek, although I wouldn’t mind pockets in a big poofy skirt either. As for formal wear, though, I think a star with her hands shoved in her pockets looks ridiculous and too slouchy for an elegant occasion such as the Golden Globes or Oscars.
Don’t even get me started on hunching shoulders and poor posture…
I love pocketed skirts, definitely not formal or “red carpet” but on day dresses or with layered looks it can work as a way to casualize (is that a word?) an outfit, or take down the seriousness a notch. I’ve noticed that mostly pockets on dresses occur on the more shapeless variety anyway, so we can’t blame the pockets for loosing the shape, mostly they are loose anyway. Love this site,thanks!
but if you put a liptstick in your pocket won’t the bump show on your hip?
Pockets are hot (and useful)
Pockets can be discreet while remaining highly functional. Good dressmakers also make good pockets.
Link is on the flip-side of your argument.
So I thought this would be left behind…Here’s the link
http://www.dressaday.com/2007/05/renee-says-dont-diss-my-pockets.html
I think dresses with the pocket well-constructed,concealed, and flowy enough to hide things are fantastic. I also own several vintage 50’s dresses with little embroidered things on the front pockets, which make me feel like a little retro housewife. The trend of formal, tight-fitting dresses with pockets, though, I have an issue with. It’s as if they are saying, “Hey! I’m a pocket! Put stuff in me yet let’s hope nobody notices that I look really silly.”
dresses with pockets. are wonderful. you can hide all kinds of stuff in your dress. like your keys, change, secret spy-cameras… first aid kits… handi-wipes (you never know just when you’ll come across a leg of fried chicken)
i like the idea. Like tonight-I’m going out, don’t want my purse but where am I going to put my lipstick and keys? My husband won’t be with me to use his pockets
I’m not sure where you got the idea that pockets were only for pants and shorts. I love pockets in skirts, dresses, jackets and aprons. One should always have a discreet place to tuck a tissue. I’m always looking for pockets in sewing patterns for my own personal use and so does my mother!
Pockets are so useful on dresses – and so much more elegant to stash your stuff in a pocket than have to carry a bag or leave your stuff somewhere else. Since when does one express girlishness by being without her money and keys?
Fitting pockets nicely into a dress might be a challenge for designers, but so is fitting them into pants and jackets. Here’s a cute example of pockets as a feature:
http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern/show/26
Pockets on skirts and dresses is genius! It’s extremely useful and HOT at the same time. I say keep the pockets on everything….as long as they’re sleek and stylish.
very interesting.. how bout this one?
woman business suits
Definitely HOT! The only people who design without pockets are people who don’t want women to be independent and free of baggage. I love pretty dresses and I’ll spend a lot on them but I never buy them without pockets!