Pocket

During the 19th century, most fashionable gowns had pockets sewn into the seams of the skirt. Separate pockets were worn mainly by young girls, older women and working class women. This plain cotton example demonstrates the unadorned, practical nature of pockets in the late 19th century. The shape corresponds to a pattern for pockets shown in The Workwoman’s Guide of 1838. This pocket would have been worn on the right with the straight side at the front. It has a horizontal rather than vertical opening. Buttonhole openings at the top allow the pocket to slide along the tie when worn. However, the wearer of this example sewed up one of the buttonholes to prevent any further movement.