Who doesn't need pockets that elevate their outfit with a distinctive elegance and serve as a hidden pole of enchanting style, allowing them to conceal what they might need in a moment of urgency? This season's fashion has granted you this wish and embedded pockets in many garments.
Spring/Summer 2023 Collections
Pockets were once a symbol of gender equality but have now become a decoration. They have quickly become the standout fashion trend of the season, appearing collectively in fashion shows on Miu Miu's short skirts, Blumarine's short dresses and long trousers, as well as prominent exterior pockets on Dion Lee's trousers. They have made their presence known on Isabel Marant's short skirts and trousers. They are truly everywhere, hiding in plain sight.
With the proliferation of pocket in every garment, you can now do away with handbags and still be able to carry everything you need in your outfit's pockets. On the other hand, bags themselves have undergone changes, imitating pocket in terms of their small size, such as Fendi's micro bags.
Fall 2023 Collections
There is no doubt that the presence of cargos in all garments is enjoyable as they embody practicality and usefulness. However, pockets also have deep roots in workwear fashion, expressing a subtle luxury. The Fall 2023 collections focused on the wearability and classic evolution of pocket. Many brands, including Schouler, Fendi, The Row, and Bottega Veneta, preferred clothing with practical cargos, whether it be suits or simple dresses.
One can trace the pocket fashion craze back to the end of last year when brands like Jaded London started adding excessive amounts of cargos to cargo pants. The pockets became larger in size and came in various shapes, becoming a distinguishing practical design element. Jaded London has sold over 150,000 pairs of pants since then, with this trend, known as Lyst The Parachutes, being ranked the fifth best-selling women's product of 2022.
The History of Pockets
As for the history of pockets, in the early 21st century, fashion icons like David and Victoria Beckham, Brad Pitt, and Jennifer Aniston wore these loose-fitting trousers. However, the history of cargos in women's fashion goes back even further and holds greater significance. By the 17th century, women began wearing cargos attached to their garments as an additional piece. Previously, only men enjoyed the privilege of clothing with cargos.
As detachable cargos disappeared for women in the late 19th century and they began receiving garments with pockets, those cargos came to symbolize independence and status. Women's rights advocates associated the phenomenon of cargos with achieving privileges that were previously exclusive to men. The feminist meaning of cargos has remained present in the 20th century, representing freedom and equality.