The greatest "Mystery" to packing light?

Hey now - there's another side to this! How many women have been asked "Honey, can you put this in your purse?"?

Personally I wear dresses - the only pocket on them is in my bra!

Simple answer, because women's clothing makers do not make pockets! It is a pain but if you look at women's clothing and you will note there are no pockets. Example, for years I wore a women's suites to work and the skirt pockets were not deep at all! Could not put anything in the pockets for fear it would fall out and I would not notice, plus they lining could rip. The jacket had outside pockets somtimes, but there were no inside pockets like men have in men's suit jackets. Even sweat pants, many do not have pockets and it is a pain. That is why women MUST carry a pocketbook. We have no pockets. When I travel or even a day trip into the city, I carry a cross body pocket book and a tote bag, because I don't have room in the pocket book for my wallet, make up, keys, sunglasses, IPod, ear buds, hair brush, metro card and reading glasses!

We simply have a lot of stuff we need! And no pockets to carry them in!

Your wife needs to carry a pocket book and a small tote bag so that you don't have to carry the ton of stuff and feel like a pack mule.

They don't make much in the way of women's clothes with pockets. Jeans have pockets but proportionately they are much smaller than men's pockets. To the point of being useless on pants for a smaller woman (women who are 5 foot and 100lbs wear shorter/smaller pants which obviously have smaller pockets than those for a big guy) Skirts or dresses almost never have pockets and if they ever do they are not fastened or secure.

What your wife needs is a bigger purse or less stuff. Pockets can only hold so much. My purse holds a camera, baggie with bandaids and Advil, phone, charger, sunscreen, sunglasses, chapstick, a map and my wallet. Try fitting even half that into your pocket!

Do women take a class in high school that teaches them to buy clothes without pockets???? Are pockets a sign like the "Scarlet Letter" that brings shame? Is this a conspiracy by the fashion world?

The last is correct. The sexualization of women means tight clothing that allows little room for pockets. It also means that women pay more for the same product but get less. Faux pockets, one less button on the shirt, means it is cheaper to manufacture women's clothing. Oh, and if we do decide to wear looser clothing we are branded as androgynous or a frump. Can't win.

There are some brands that make clothing with pockets but I've found them at prices at 50-100% more expensive than regular clothes.

I have worked with my tailor to open up the seam and add in line pockets. You can also add them to the inside of a jacket. But all of this is after market and adds to the cost of a garment.

Why women buy travel clothes without pockets......Women do not want to buy pants and then load the pockets because they're afraid that might make them look fat. Truly! Most women are a little sensitive about how certain pants or clothes look on them. Better not to add to the bulk of your bottom, hips or thighs. I feel certain that the makers/designers of women's pants know this about women. Thus, no pockets in many women's pants. It's a more slenderizing design. Besides, from a practical standpoint, it's somewhat uncomfortable to sit down in pants whose pockets are loaded to the hilt!

A better option is to buy a jacket or vest for travel with lots of pockets. I especially like the hidden inside pockets in many Scotte Vest products. The Scotte Vest jackets and vests can hold everything you may want to carry; iPad, phone, wallet, maps, lipstick and other make-up; lots of pockets. I suggest that one of these may be a good present for your wife before your next trip! https://www.scottevest.com/

And when travelling, I carry my cross-body bag (same one as at home) AND carry a Civita day bag which holds map, water bottle, snacks, sweater, 0binoculars, guidebook pages ... many of which my husband takes advantage of.

Yes, it's a fashion industry plot -- because 1) pants with pockets don't look as sleek and 2) adding pockets requires additional steps, thus extra cost.

"Why do women travelers buy and take clothes without pockets!!!"

Conversely, why do men buy and take clothes with so many pockets if they don't intend to use them? If you don't want to be a 'pack mule', then don't wear clothes with pockets all over the place.

Hi, Donald
A mystery to me is how men get away with just a wallet and keys!!! And it is frustrating not having pockets.
Conversely, I carry a lands end canvas zip pocket book and sometimes a small tote. usually stuffed in it is the stuff that doesnt fit in dad's pockets ( a guide book, a map, a bottle of water, a jacket, a camera. LOL
So the opposite post - is why do the moms/daugehters/wifes already get stuck carrying stuff!!

Funny - all the replies are women!

I TRY to find pant with pockets. I MUST carry my asthma inhaler at all times, and usually some other medications, so I have to have a large pocket or a purse/bag. And I also now 'have' to carry my phone all the time. And I can't count how many times hubby has asked, "Do you have ..... (usually nail clippers, hand wipes, stain wipes, Kleenex. a pen, etc. )?". And I did have it for him. He just doesn't want to carry all that in his pockets (can't blame him, really), but wants ME to have it handy. Yet he sometimes fusses about me having to carry a purse. "Do you HAVE to bring that?" That's life..... full of contradictions.

Even "travel clothing" catalogues mix in a number of women's items without pockets. They might pack easily without wrinkling, but that's not the only feature to look for.

My purse or day bag is probably larger than your wife's was. That allows me to have a map, guidebook chapter, camera, and day wallet within easy reach, as well as it can fit a lunch or sweater when needed.

Kind of a which came first question..... womens clothes have no pockets because they use purses, or they use purses because they have no pockets.

No pockets on shirts is really not a mystery, is it?

Other than jeans, womens pants are unlikely to have "functional" pockets. Hmm, the exception to the general rule.

Why does the sun rise in the east and set in the west? Its just the way it is

Fun topic for a discussion, but one without any "rational" answer.

I have never had my hubby carry anything in his pockets for me ever , quite the opposite , he asks me to put stuff in my purse for him .

Your wife's bag is too small ( and likely too heavy , those pacsafe bags feel heavy to me ) or she carries too much stuff .

I wear dresses in hot climates , and yes they rarely have pockets , but even if I did wear clothes with pockets I wouldn't put much more than a Kleenex in them as pockets are a pick pockets delight .

I refuse to buy pants that do not have pockets. I always carry a house key and tissues, and sometimes hard candies if I'm out walking. If I'm running some quick errands in the neighborhood, I'll carry a little cash. And yes, I have trouble finding pants with functional (i.e., fairly deep) pockets.

I do not like pockets on the front of shirts or blouses; I find them uncomfortable. In fact, this last year I asked Santa for pocket-less t-shirts. (My personal Santa loves pockets, and stuffs them full at all times.)

I do like pockets in jackets or shirt-jackets, but only on the side.

I am a male and it's been a while since I adopted the concept of a small messenger bag always on me. It is light, and much more practical for gadgets, eye drops and extra contact lenses, a bigger wallet that fits all cards etc.

It is not my particular style, but I noticed tighter-fitting pants of every fabric have been trending for men. So, with them, some of the same issues with pockets for women arise: if pants are tight-fitting, pockets stand out, and if you put something there, it might become uncomfortable, or just quickly tear the fabric.

Back pockets are quite useless IMHO, too risky to lose something, to damage something (sitting over a smartphone accidentally) or being pickpocketed.

Frankly, it's hard enough for me as a woman to find clothes that fit well, flatter me, are reasonably durable, and are within my budget. Whether or not the item has pockets is waaay down on my list of priorities.

Women truly are the victims of the fashion industry. It has just been recently that I have found more clothing with functional pockets. I never could understand why men's jackets and coats have inside pockets and women's do not. I was thrilled when I found my first jacket with an inside pocket, and found it to be even more useful than I had imagined. But to be fair, women just are not built to accommodate pockets the way that men are, thus we carry handbags. Because of that I, like another poster, have a husband that asks me to put things of his in my bag even when he can clearly see that said item is larger than my bag. I think that started when I carried all those baby things. But I have now convinced him that wearing cargo pants on the go allows him to be more independent. Lol!

After reading the responses I can see now that there is a huge market for women's travel pants and shorts that are stylish and yet have decent sized pockets. I searched the internet and found these:

Clothingarts.com

They make women's travel clothes with pockets that work, I asked my wife if she would wear these and she was agreeable! I'll order some and let everyone know how they work out.

An added comment. For my first RS tour, I purchased a Scotti Vest that had 42 pockets thinking that all my problems would be solved. Yes, I said 42! On that trip I learned that you could have too much of a good thing. After replacing 2 pair of sunglasses that I had "lost" only to find them in a hidden pocket, and all the time I spent looking for my things I decided while pockets are handy, there is a limit! I have since replaced it with a Travel Smith vest that has ONLY 14 pockets. Yes, much fewer, and much more manageable!

I read a book by Karen McCann, Pack Light. She mentioned never carry a PacSafe purse. Her friend was injured when a thief grabbed her PacSafe purse and almost broke her arm. First: never carry anything you don't mind losing in a purse, make-up,etc. Problem with McCann's book, I travel with half of what she calls "Packing Light".
So true about women's pockets: Useful: a travel vest, only problem I can never remember which pocket I put things in. A must is a Civita bag. I found a pair of LLBEAN 'Perfect Fit Original Denim jeans' that have deep pockets, love them. Problem they are 'GRANDMOTHER' jeans (I qualify).
Jana

I agree with Patricia. Style, fit, comfort and price are more important than pockets.

Pockets???? That's what you guys are for! LOL

Get this for the ladies in your life... BRA STASH...double strap..perfect for a credit card and day's worth of cash!

https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/rfid-blocking-ladies-personal-stash/1043810857?skuId=43810857&mcid=PS_googlepla_nonbrand_luggage_&adpos=1o5&creative=43742656789&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&product_id=43810857&gclid=Cj0KEQjwmIrJBRCRmJ_x7KDo-9oBEiQAuUPKMuDEvSaQ43VBQyulV0vs14ARoWYq2HeSAHKZLOT1NdgaAhBe8P8HAQ

I just bought my FOURTH Columbia Tamiami II shirt. Why? The pockets! Two lovely, large, zippered pockets on the side seams instead of the bust. The cost is reasonable when they go on sale or if you get last season's colors. I do take the time to unpick the obnoxious Columbia label on the front.

I do take the time to unpick the obnoxious Columbia label on the front.

Brilliant - I never thought of that - have to get out my seam ripper!

I travel solo, so no pack mule assistance. I never buy pants without pockets! I keep Kleenex in one pocket and a small folding change purse with "day money" and bus tickets in the other. Everything else (keys, water bottle, sunglasses, maps, iPad mini, phone, documents/credit cards/bigger cash) goes into a small cross body messenger bag that weighs six ounces empty.

Women buy clothes without pockets (or useful pockets) because most of our clothing options are made that way.

You might find this interesting https://mic.com/articles/133948/the-weird-complicated-sexist-history-of-pockets#.wgCg1SSEn

I'm surprised that the article didn't mention Coco Channel. She was well known for designing pockets into all of her clothing.
She also invented the cross body bag, created jersey dresses, and the little black dress. She dumped the corset because it was too constraining. We take advantage of all of these things as we travel today.
But it took a female courtesan to break the male designer fashion rules. Unfortunately, the male designers still dominate, so no pockets.

So today, my husband and I received some items in the mail that made me think of this thread.

We bought packable down jackets on mega-sale from Macys - 1 men's and 1 women's, both by the same company.

Both have 2 hand pockets. However:
- On the men's version, these are zippered, whereas on the women's they are not: Obviously there is greater utility in zippered pockets.

- On the back of the pockets on the inside of the jacket, the women's jacket has a small, narrow single pocket on the left hand side, whereas the men's version has a large pocket on both sides.

...And I mean, small and large relative to the size of the jackets, not to each other (as my husband's jacket is much larger than mine). The inside pocket in my jacket can probably only hold the stuff sack for the jacket itself (golf-ball sized), whereas both the inside pockets on the men's can fit my ipad air.

So the men's version has 4 very useful pockets, whereas the women's version has 2 semi-useful pockets and 1 barely useful pocket.

That's why we need purses/for you guys to carry our stuff.

[and on top of all that, the women's version was $5 more!]