Mom's tweet begging for simple change to girls' pants prompts chorus of 'yes'
When Heather Kaczynski’s 3-year-old daughter finished playing with her toys, she wanted to take some of them with her on to her next adventure. She was in for a big disappointment: Her clothes, although cute, had no pockets. Kaczynski shared her daughter’s feelings on Twitter, and the chorus of approval went viral.
PLEASE PUT POCKETS ON GIRLS PANTS. omg. My 3yo is SO ANGRY when she doesn’t have pockets or the pockets are fake. She has THINGS TO HOLD, like rocks and Power Rangers. She’s resorted to putting stuff down her shirt. come on. pockets for girls please
— Heather Kaczynski (@HKaczynski) April 20, 2018
Kaczynski, who is a writer, tells Yahoo Lifestyle her daughter is “just now getting to where she cares about her clothing at all, and her two requirements are: pink and pockets. Preferably a twirl skirt.” And although her mother searches hard to match her daughter’s taste with her practical needs, she confesses: “Sometimes I buy pants for her thinking they have pockets, only to realize they’re fake. Try explaining the reasoning for fake pockets to a preschooler.”
The sentiment is all too familiar. Chances are you or female friends have shared their excitement on discovering that a dress, or a pair of shorts or pants, has real pockets, not just the fake silhouette of one, but real pockets.
I have this same complaint about pants for me. This is exactly why grown women get excited about clothes with pockets.
— erikarose (@erikafrose) April 21, 2018
I have this very cute summer dress and every time I get complimented on it, I say “It has pockets!” I’m 56.
— Dawn Hancock McKay (@DawnMcKay) April 22, 2018
Commenters are sharing their frustration with Kaczynski.
I resent that as a woman I am not expected to want pockets I think it really affects things like exercise. You still have keys, random receipts and free shit you have collected. How many women even want a handbag!?
— Shanine (@braintree_) April 21, 2018
At 4, my kiddo had a pair of pants she always wore backwards because there were functional pockets in back and stupid sewn up nothings in front.
— Rebecca Donnelly (@_becca_donnelly) April 20, 2018
THIS. SO MUCH. I CANNOT STAND NOT HAVING POCKETS.
— Chief (@the_chiefster) April 21, 2018
Historically, fashion designers opted not to give women pockets in their garments to increase the sale of purses. The fewer items women could carry, the higher the chance that they would invest in purses. As noted in an article in Racked, many designers create garments for men with utility in mind, while women’s are designed for appearance. “It’s not a giant leap to see how pockets, or the lack thereof, reinforce sexist ideas of gender. Men are busy doing things; women are busy being looked at. Who needs pockets?” writes Chelsea G. Summers.
But as the example of Kaczynski’s little girl demonstrates, the need for pockets is unisex. If not, stuffing rocks and Power Rangers down her shirts will have to do for now.
“That’s just how she walks around now,” says Kaczynski. “Either she zips up her stuffed animals in her jacket or puts it down her shirt. I can’t really say anything because I don’t have an alternate solution unless I want to carry all her stuff around for her.”
The people have spoken.
I am a grown woman and I totally feel your daughter’s anger. Also, when there are actually can they be full size and not fit just half my hand?
— Melissa ?? (@Owlchilde) April 21, 2018
I know! What’s up with the fake pockets? I have this lovely jacket, and it has two fake pockets, and I keep trying to put things in them. It’s worse than fake news! LOL
— Leslie Tall Manning Eats Books and Spits out Words (@LTManningWriter) April 21, 2018
To this day I still want pockets! And I am well above 3. Why do designers think women don’t want pockets?
— Lu Fiskin Ross (@lufiskinross) April 21, 2018
There is hope out there. Many commenters shared their favorite brands for little girls that remedy this situation.
Just fyi, Princess Awesome @princess31415 makes leggings (and dresses) with pockets, in STEM-themed fabrics. I’m not connected to them in any way, just a fan ?
— Angele McQuade (@angelemcquade) April 21, 2018
Do you know about @princess31415 (Princess Awesome)? Pockets for days, and SUCH amazing clothes…
— Angele McQuade (@angelemcquade) April 21, 2018
Some parents have even shared their DIY secrets.
My grandmother (seamstress) put in big pockets in my clothes by opening side seams and sewing in pockets. Only later as a teen did I realize her wisdom
— Lisa Mistry (@LisaMistry2) April 21, 2018
These are size 6 skinny jeans leggings with good pockets and an adjustable waist. My wife cut off the legs to fit my child when he was 4. Voila! He had amply pocketed pants in his favorite color! pic.twitter.com/JBGZamho8U
— Aran Johnson (@aranworld) April 21, 2018
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