Pockets vs. bags

[Chip]

I've been thinking about pocketless skirts. Some of mine have pockets, but I rarely use them because I love bags. Pockets are more of a nice backup for light items. Aside from backpacks, I didn't really use them most of my life, so I'm making up for lost time.

I'm curious if people here prefer to use pockets or bags, or something else.

I tried comparing all of the advantages of pockets vs. bags, and then listed other carrying options in a blog post here:

https://everybodyskirts.com/pocketless

It's partly an attempt to compel men towards bags, or pocketless skirts, which can really open up the wardrobe.

I know a lack of pockets can be a blocker for some men getting into skirts — or at least more "feminine" skirts. If you know anyone like this, feel free to pass along the blog post.

[Mouse]

I'm curious if people here prefer to use pockets or bags, or something else.

I was totally in the "I am a man, therefore my clothes have pockets" set until I got braver in the skirts I wanted to wear. Some skirts are just don't suit pockets. I found myself going shopping with my keys, phone and wallet, in a normal shopping bag....so last Christmas I asked my wife for a handbag I had picked out on Amazon. I started a thread all about my getting comfortable with a handbag here http://www.skirtcafe.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=24650
I now have three handbags and I am very comfortable with them, I even went shopping with a handbag even thought I was wearing my utility kilt!

[Spirou003]

Hello,

The icon on your smartphone made me laugh.
I'm using pockets for keys/cards/phone (nothing else when leaving home) and a few various metallic stuffs I find outside. I generally either go to the work (and use a backpack for anything else plus a shopping bag for sewing stuffs I bring with me that I'm doing in the trein), either go to do errands and only need one shopping bag, either do a "small thing" out (example: going to the doctor) and don't need anything else, either go with friends somewhere and "it depends". But under no circumstance, I find that a purse (or similar) may do any better than my pockets, hence I keep using pockets. Just a few thoughts I have when reading.

In the Benefits of bags, point 2 "Centralized".
I usually don't wear the same clothes at home and outside, but I generally don't switch immediately when coming back home. This means that when I come back home, I did take the habit to empty my pockets because the things in it are not that comfortable. I empty them always at the same place to not lose them (despite my phone is moving a bit and I sometimes need to search for it). This also means that when I go out, I always need to fill them back. When I go out, the first thing to do is to lock the door which I can't do if I didn't take my stuffs. And I'm a obsessional pocket checker so you can be sure I know long before leaving home if they're OK or not
As a consequence, there is no problem of pocket-checking for the washing machine. The only thing is that on some rare occasion, I miss one of the few stuffs from outside that I did forget about. Lucky that these stuffs didn't damaged anything (yet)!

In 4. "Sealed", in anwser to "Things can't fall out of bags, especially with zippers"
Why in the first place, buying something whose pockets are not "fall-proof"? I mean, unless you do a handstand, there are pockets that never let anything out unintentionnally. If really you don't have choice (example: linnen trousers always have pockets with close to vertical opening), find someone who can add a zipper in the pocket so that the problem is fixed (this is what I did until I learnt how to do it myself. This filled up a lot of wasted time in the trein )

In answer to the 7. "Non-fraying"
Not sure to understand what's the issue there. I've never had it, despite sometimes putting spiky things in my pockets (screws and similar). Maybe does it come down from how pockets are being assembled?

In the end of "alternatives" section:
"Lastly, ask your partner if you can borrow some space in their bag." => The partner is not always present, if there even is a partner. I would suggest to avoid the assumption that there is a partner.


Last thing that is not mentioned in your article: using a bag may quickly lead to a disorder mess if the bag doesn't have the inner pockets or compartments. I've encountered it with the sport bag I was initially bringing. I replaced it by my actual backpack, which did soon start suffering from the same problem. Adding a few inner pockets soved the problem, now everything is organized into it. This may make you lose a lot of time, I remember a friend whose I was taking transportations with. At each check point she was rummaging her purse (up to one minute!) to find her subscription card which she needs to pass, needless to say that we often missed a subway because of that.

In overall, you made a jood job writing this article.

[timemeddler]

When I have to make pants, pockets aren't even worth the trouble to put in. I just put everything in a fanny pack, it holds more anyway.

[Seb]

I love my pockets, I have a small backpack though for when I need to carry more or don't have good enough pockets.

[Jim]

I like to have a pocket knife and a handkerchief with me all the time. I like my hands free. Therefore pockets are very useful. If my skirt lacks pockets, I'll wear a nail belt.

If I'm away from the house, in addition I want my wallet, keys, and cell phone. These I keep in a belt pack so I don't forget one of the items and don't put them down somewhere. I can stuff the knife and handkerchief in it if I lack pockets, but it's not as convenient.

[denimini]

Both. Most of my skirts have pockets but like most jeans pockets these days they don't hold much. I like to keep my car keys in a pocket but no way are they big enough to carry my mobile phone, wallet, tape measure, ball point pen and other stuff. I have a leather shoulder bag to do all that. Even small change I keep in a purse in the shoulder bag. I have done this now for years and it works well. Even the odd days I wear pants I still use a shoulder bag If I go away from the house.
I must alert those in the US that "fanny pack" translates rather badly to Australian users.

[crfriend]

I must alert those in the US that "fanny pack" translates rather badly to Australian users.

BRILLIANT! Thanks for the much-needed laugh.

[Chip]

Some skirts just don't suit pockets [...] I started a thread all about my getting comfortable with a handbag here http://www.skirtcafe.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=24650
I now have three handbags and I am very comfortable with them, I even went shopping with a handbag even thought I was wearing my utility kilt!

Glad you've gotten comfortable with them! I agree, some skirts are best without pockets.

Funny — my first bag was also a (very saturated) blue, which is still my go to. I usually don't mind the colour clash but now I'm considering a black bag.

[TonautBrom]

Kilts don’t have pockets, do they?

[Chip]

The icon on your smartphone made me laugh.

Glad to hear! I actually just got some sticker sheets printed, with 8 other stickers I designed. I'll be selling them soon, once I take some photos and figure out international shipping.

But under no circumstance, I find that a purse (or similar) may do any better than my pockets, hence I keep using pockets.

Maybe it's just a personal preference. Are your skirt pockets pretty big, and is the skirt sturdy?

In 4. "Sealed", in anwser to "Things can't fall out of bags, especially with zippers"
Why in the first place, buying something whose pockets are not "fall-proof"? I mean, unless you do a handstand, there are pockets that never let anything out unintentionnally. If really you don't have choice (example: linnen trousers always have pockets with close to vertical opening), find someone who can add a zipper in the pocket so that the problem is fixed (this is what I did until I learnt how to do it myself. This filled up a lot of wasted time in the trein )

I agree — pockets aren't too bad for things falling out, though I used to do a lot of handstands . Back pockets are fairly secure, though depending on the activity, things occasionally fall out. And then they're easy targets for pickpockets.

In answer to the 7. "Non-fraying"
Not sure to understand what's the issue there. I've never had it, despite sometimes putting spiky things in my pockets (screws and similar). Maybe does it come down from how pockets are being assembled?

Yes, I think quality is a big one here. I think the fraying happens mostly with fast fashion, tighter pants, and when they're worn for many years.

In the end of "alternatives" section:
"Lastly, ask your partner if you can borrow some space in their bag." => The partner is not always present, if there even is a partner. I would suggest to avoid the assumption that there is a partner.

Thanks for this feedback, and good point. I've adjusted the wording a bit.

Last thing that is not mentioned in your article: using a bag may quickly lead to a disorder mess if the bag doesn't have the inner pockets or compartments. I've encountered it with the sport bag I was initially bringing. I replaced it by my actual backpack, which did soon start suffering from the same problem. Adding a few inner pockets soved the problem, now everything is organized into it. This may make you lose a lot of time, I remember a friend whose I was taking transportations with. At each check point she was rummaging her purse (up to one minute!) to find her subscription card which she needs to pass, needless to say that we often missed a subway because of that.

In overall, you made a jood job writing this article.

Thank you! That's a great point about rummaging too — I'll add that in. Organization is key, and pockets offer a more spatial system to put your things.

[Mouse]

Funny — my first bag was also a (very saturated) blue, which is still my go to. I usually don't mind the colour clash but now I'm considering a black bag.

See that is where I went wrong. Everyone pointed out the fact that a black bag goes with everything and considering I wear a black bush hat and usually have a black belt, going with a first bag in blue in hind sight did look like a wrong move. I have fixed the problem with a black and then a brown handbag purchase.

[JeffB1959]

I’ve been all in on handbags from jump. For starters, pockets on skirts tend to be small in size and hold practically nothing, also, the bulges from having stuff in pockets is unsightly from a fashion standpoint and takes away from the clean, smooth lines of a skirt, for me, that’s something I simply cannot abide. Carrying a bag is easier, more convenient since I have everything in one place for easy access, lastly, I have zero problem carrying a feminine looking bag, hell, most of the time, I’m already wearing heels and earrings with my skirts or dresses, so a purse is no big deal to me. Oh, yeah, I make sure the color of my bag matches the shoes I wear. Fashion, yo!

[Jim]

I must alert those in the US that "fanny pack" translates rather badly to Australian users.

I always call it a "belt pack" as I wear it in front or the side, not the back.

[timemeddler]

I must alert those in the US that "fanny pack" translates rather badly to Australian users.

I always call it a "belt pack" as I wear it in front or the side, not the back.

oh no how will we survive, I don't think I've heard of them being called anything else. I guess it's like that british food called spotted dick.