Have you ever wondered who invented pockets, or when were invented? Scratch below the surface of this seemingly innocent clothing accessory and you may be surprised to find out more about pockets’ history.
Pockets have been around for more than 500 years. The concept of a closed space inside clothing is something I imagine could be used in many different ways by different people at different times and places.
Let’s go together through this article and find out more about the amazing history of pockets.
Who Invented Pockets and Why?
Pockets were invented for keeping valuable things safe. Before pockets were invented, people would just put them in their sleeves.
That was not very comfortable because it was hard to move your arms around.
Also, it was dangerous because someone could take your valuables like that. So who invented pockets?
The first primitive pockets can be found in the clothing of the ancient world.
The first known pocket was discovered in Otzi’s clothing and is dated to 3300 BCE (ancient people who lived around today’s Austrian Alps).
However, pockets have changed a lot since then and are still being improved on.
There are many purposes of pockets. Some people wear an apron to put valuables into their pockets in case they hit their cleaning tools while they are working.
When they are using tools, the pocket will not influence the way that they work.
Or sometimes, the pocket can be used for storage painting when it is too dirty or worn out and cannot be directly used again.
Who Invented Fake Pockets?
It took me forever to finally figure out where the hoodie pocket goes.
After I put it on and zipped it up, I felt so accomplished that I ripped it off, ran around my house, and declared “I invented fake pockets!”.
Of course, it was just a bad joke, but who really invented fake pockets?
Fake pockets were invented by Brenda Wilcox, an independent designer at Calvin Klein. She came up with this invention in the 1970s.
What Are Fake Pockets Called?
Today’s modern trousers do not actually have pockets as people did in the olden days. Instead, they are a vestigial remnant of the past.
They look like they should be useful, but they’re not. These fake pockets are also called false pockets or fake money.
That is because they are just for show. As soon as you sit down, your phone slides right into your crack and you feel it in your ankle and that’s very uncomfortable.
Who Invented Fake Pockets on Women’s Clothing?
It looks like it was Brenda Wilcox who invented fake pockets on women’s clothing.
She added them as a feature on some of her pants in the late 1960s.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean that she invented fake pockets. There are several similar patents from before her 1970 patent.
Even still, we’d consider her a pioneer in women’s fashion, and we can thank her for a classic part of our modern wardrobes.
Who Invented Pockets on Pants?
Levi Strauss is credited for the invention of pockets.
The pants he produced were known as “waist overalls,” and they were made of denim, a fabric that was popular at the time because it was tough, durable, and flexible.
The first pair of jeans were created by Levi’s partner Jacob Davis in 1873.
He was a German-born American businessman. He partnered with Jacob Davis to create the first pair of blue jeans.
They used copper rivets to secure their pants, which gave them more durability and strength than other pants at the time.
Levi Strauss got the invention idea from his wife, who wanted to be able to carry things around with her.
She wanted a place for her handkerchief that was separate from her skirt, where she kept her money.
When Were Pockets Invented?
So, when were Polly pockets invented? Pockets have been around for about 500 years.
They were invented in the 15th century, around the same time as buttons, but it took them a while to catch on.
People didn’t start wearing them until about 100 years later.
There are many theories about where the word “pocket” comes from. One suggests that it comes from the French word “poche,” which means “bag.”
Another theory is that it comes from the Italian word “pozza,” which means “a small bag.”
Before this, people had to carry their valuables with them wherever they went, which made them easy targets for thieves who could just snatch whatever they wanted right off of their person.
Thanks to the invention of pockets, we no longer have to worry about being robbed!
Why Were Pockets Invented?
Pockets were invented so people could carry their belongings while they went hunting or gathering food.
These types of pockets were made out of leather or other natural materials that would not tear or wear out easily.
In the 1600s and 1700s, “pocket” came to be used for any kind of small pocket that could be sewn into clothes.
These pockets were often used for storing things like watch keys or money. This is why we say someone has money in their pocket today — even if they don’t actually use it for that purpose anymore!
What Was the Original Purpose of Pockets?
For generations, pockets have been the most useful and essential part of clothing. They can keep and protect valuables and other small items.
However, their original purpose was not to carry things around with you.
The first pockets were found on the kaftans worn by nomadic tribes in Central Asia.
The nomads needed a safe place to store their belongings while they were traveling.
The kaftans had long sleeves that protected the items from thieves or weather conditions.
These pockets were sewn into the garments as an afterthought and were not very handy to use.
A few centuries later, during the European Renaissance period, when people began wearing more fitted clothing, they needed an easier way to store items such as knives, keys, and coins.
As time went by, people started using pockets to carry pens and pencils, money, keys, and other important things.
Then came the invention of mobile phones and the internet! Now we can carry our phones in our pockets instead of our hands!
It’s a lot safer too because we can’t drop them as much when they’re in our pocket.
History of Pockets
The history of pockets is a long and interesting one, so here are a few remarks about it:
- The first pockets were invented around 500 years ago. At this time people used their hands to carry items and the only way to store anything was in a bag or pouch. However, they were very small and could not fit much in them. So people continued to use purses or bags to carry money, keys, and other things that needed to be kept safe.
- In the 17th century, women wore dresses made of heavy fabrics like silk or satin. Women’s clothing wasn’t about fashion, so these dresses had no pockets so men would carry their wives’ handkerchiefs for them!
- In the 18th century, slim skirts with small pockets became popular. Women wore these skirts without wearing a jacket over them so they did not need big pockets anyway!
- In the 19th century, Levi Strauss invented trousers with pockets for miners in America. He wanted them to be able to carry tools and other essentials on their person, rather than relying on bags or pouches.
- In modern times we have many different types of pockets, including back pockets (on jeans), front pleats (on skirts), and even hip pockets (on jackets).
What Was the Original Purpose of Pockets?
Pockets were originally used to keep small objects and protect valuables. The first pockets were made from animal pouches, which were attached to the belt or skirt.
These pouches would contain a variety of items, including weapons, small tools, and food.
In medieval times, men often wore pants that were open at the front and were held up with ties or belts. Women wore dresses with pockets attached to them using straps.
These dresses had buttons on their front that allowed access to the pocket without having to remove the garment altogether.
Uses of Pockets Today
There are many uses of pockets today, so here are just a few of them.
Coin pockets
Coin pockets are used for storing coins, especially in a purse or wallet. Sometimes they are called coin purses or change purses.
They can be made from fabric or leather, usually with a zipper closure.
Watch pockets
Watch pockets are small interior pockets on men’s clothing that are used to store a man’s wristwatch and other personal items such as keys and change.
Fashion pockets
Fashion pockets are decorative pouches attached to clothing that can be used to store small items such as change or keys.
FAQ’s
Here’s a list of frequently asked questions about who invented pockets.
So, let’s check them together, you can find some amazing information there.
Did cloaks have pockets?
The answer is yes. They were usually made of leather, but sometimes they were made of silk or velvet.
Did Victorian skirts have pockets?
Yes, Victorian skirts had pockets. They could be side or back pockets, or they could be pouches that were attached to the skirt with ties.
Did dresses have pockets in the 1800s?
Yes, they usually had small pockets. Some women even attached a small pocket to their shoes to hold their handkerchiefs or even money!
Why were pockets removed from dresses?
It’s a matter of fashion. Pockets were an important feature of men’s clothing in the early 1900s.
Why do women’s clothes not have pockets?
Simply, they’re unnecessary. Women’s clothing is designed to be more form-fitting than men’s, and the idea of a pocket on a dress or skirt is just not practical.
Conclusion
In the end, even though we don’t know exactly who invented pockets, they become an inevitable part of our everyday lives.
Sure, the pockets launched only a few years ago, but nowadays we can’t imagine our life without them!
If you find this article helpful and you’re interested in a discussion on this topic, feel free to leave a comment and I’ll respond shortly.
Also, don’t forget to check out other incredible inventions that we have covered.
