Ever wonder why women’s clothing is still missing functional pockets?

It’s not just bad design. It’s history, gender roles, and outdated assumptions sewn into every seam.

If you’ve ever bragged “it has pockets!” while twirling in a dress, you already know—pockets are rare. And when they do exist, they’re often shallow, fake, or totally unusable. So how did we get here?

Let’s go back a few centuries

In the 17th and 18th centuries, women actually did have pockets—just not the kind we think of today. Small pouches were tied around the waist or tucked under layers of petticoats. They weren’t exactly convenient, but they served a purpose: to carry small essentials close to the body.

Then came the 19th century, and with it, a shift toward slimmer silhouettes. Skirts became sleeker. Layers disappeared. And so did the space for pockets.

Why? Because pockets require extra fabric, and even when they’re empty, they add bulk. And heaven forbid anything disrupt the smooth line of a woman’s hip.

But it wasn’t just about aesthetics.

Pockets = Power

In the 1800s and early 1900s, carrying money, keys, or a wallet meant mobility and independence—things men had by default and women weren’t expected (or allowed) to claim. By taking away pockets, fashion sent a message: someone else would carry what you needed. Or maybe… you didn’t need anything at all.

Instead of designing functional clothing, women were handed purses. Bags became accessories—detachable, decorative, and a little easier to control.

Fast forward to today, and it’s shocking how little has changed.

Today’s Pockets Are Still a Joke

The modern woman works, drives, parents, creates, builds, balances—yet we’re still offered clothing with fake pocket stitching or micro-pockets that can’t hold a phone. A 2023 study found that only 5% of women’s pockets can fit a smartphone. For men? 85%. (Insert scream here.)

And if you live with a chronic illness like T1D, the stakes are even higher. Women need space for insulin pumps, glucometers and tech that literally keeps us alive. Clothing that can’t carry the essentials isn’t just annoying—it’s a barrier to independence.

We Can Do Better—And We Are

At KINNAMON, we’re designing against all of this. We’ve spent years building clothing with deep, secure pockets that look good and work. We’ve tested them with insulin pumps, phones, and the realities of women’s lives—and they hold up.

No compromises. No fake stitching. Just real pockets that carry it all.

Because fashion shouldn’t just be about how we look. It should support how we live.