Pockets at the V&A

Pockets could be worn singly or in pairs.  Some were very decorative, embellished with embroidery and ribbons. Others were quite plain.

What do they tell us?

Surviving examples of historical pockets are very important for showing us their physical characteristics.   Without these we wouldn't be able to say what they were made of, how they were decorated and how they were sewn.  By searching through the pockets from the V&A's collections you can look at the changes over time in the appearance, size and shape.  The embroidery styles and designs are very important.  Comparisons can be made between not just the pockets themselves, but also other embroidered textiles and dress of the same decade. 

What can't they tell us?

It is difficult to tell what people carried in their pockets from the surviving examples, although an ink spot on one does give us a clue. Nor do we know what people thought about their pockets.  For this type of information, what people say about pockets is very helpful. 

We can't tell exactly where pockets were worn in relation to other garments or whether they were tied in front or behind.  For this information, pictures can be a better source of information.