why women's pockets are useless

Summary

This video explores the historical and modern challenges surrounding women's pockets, highlighting their functional inadequacy in clothing. The speaker humorously details her journey of creating pants with usable pockets, reflecting on how industrialization and societal norms have restricted their development. She also discusses the possibility of altering men's pants for better pockets and features an expert's insights on the design differences between men's and women's pants. Ultimately, the video combines history, personal experience, and humor to address the ongoing struggle for practical pockets in women's clothing.

Takeaways

• 😀 Women's pants pockets have historically been inadequate and underdeveloped compared to men's pockets.
• 😀 The pursuit of functional pockets in women's clothing has faced many cultural and social obstacles, often tied to gender roles.
• 😀 Early experiments in women's pockets, like the suffragette suit, attempted to integrate functional pockets but were limited by the era's fashion constraints.
• 😀 Industrialization and mass-produced clothing halted the progress of women's pockets, leaving them less functional compared to men's.
• 😀 Modern women still often encounter pants with poorly designed or useless pockets, despite some historical attempts to improve them.
• 😀 While some women's pants do have decent pockets, they remain more of a surprise than the expected norm.
• 😀 Women's pockets were impacted by societal views, particularly fears about women adopting 'male' clothing features.
• 😀 Sewing and altering men's pants for functional pockets is a potential DIY solution for women seeking more practical options.
• 😀 Pants designed for women and men have distinct differences, such as body shape and rise, affecting fit and pocket functionality.
• 😀 The rise of DIY clothing education, especially through platforms like YouTube, has empowered individuals to make alterations and create more functional clothing themselves.
• 😀 Despite the progress in sewing and alterations, women's pockets remain a niche solution, with only limited improvements in the fashion industry.

Q & A

Why have women's pants historically had impractical pockets?

Women's pants have historically had smaller or less functional pockets due to design choices rooted in societal norms, fashion constraints, and industrialization. These pockets were often seen as unnecessary or unsightly, reflecting the gendered expectations of fashion.

How did industrialization affect the design of women's clothing and pockets?

Industrialization paused the development of practical and functional pockets in women's clothing. While pockets had been an integrated part of men's clothing, women's pockets remained underdeveloped as mass production focused more on appearance and style rather than functionality.

What is the relationship between women's body shape and the design of pants?

Women's bodies generally have a narrower waist and wider hips compared to men's, which affects the fit of pants. Men's pants are typically designed with a straight figure in mind, while women's pants need to accommodate a different body shape, often resulting in a fit that requires alterations, such as adjusting the waist.

What is the 'rise' in pants, and how does it differ between men’s and women’s clothing?

The 'rise' refers to the distance from the waistband to the crotch. Men’s pants often have more rise, which can impact the fit for women, who typically have a different body shape. This difference in rise may cause discomfort or a poor fit unless adjusted.

What solution is suggested for women who want pants with functional pockets?

One suggested solution is for women to shop in the men's section, where pockets tend to be larger and more functional. Women can then tailor the pants for a better fit, though it may not be a perfect solution for everyone.

How does the video demonstrate the practicality of pockets throughout history?

The video humorously tests pockets from different historical periods by fitting various objects like water bottles, snacks, and even gaming controllers into them. This demonstrates both the impracticality and potential functionality of pockets when properly designed.

What role does fast fashion play in the current state of women's pockets?

Fast fashion prioritizes style over functionality, which often results in women’s clothing being designed with smaller or less useful pockets. This trend has continued to deprioritize functional design in favor of aesthetic appeal.

Why do women's pockets often feel like a surprise rather than a standard feature?

Due to the historical and ongoing neglect of functional pockets in women’s clothing, finding pants with decent, usable pockets often feels like a rare and pleasant surprise rather than the expected standard.

What was the role of gendered clothing in shaping the design of pockets?

Gendered clothing has historically been designed to reinforce traditional roles, with women’s clothing emphasizing smaller, decorative features and men’s clothing focusing on functionality, including larger, more practical pockets.

How does the video address the debate surrounding women wearing pants with large pockets?

The video humorously addresses the debate by showing how pants with larger, functional pockets, typically seen in men’s clothing, can be tailored to fit women. It also critiques the societal resistance to women adopting more practical clothing designs, highlighting how this resistance has been influenced by gender expectations.