Inside pockets
Incredible as it may seem, putting pockets inside our jackets is an almost revolutionary act.
If you think about it for a few minutes, women's coats and jackets most often have no pockets, or just outside pockets, absolutely not designed to hold a wallet or papers.
If I want to go out, I have only two options: take a bag, or ask my companion to take my wallet from one of his many inside pockets, which he is lucky enough to have.
So women can't be completely independent? Is that a bit sexist?
Clothing is political, and these pockets are yet another example.
Journalist Chelsea G. Summers has made a fine investigation of the subject, and it was in the 18th century that fashion took away women's pockets to prevent them from "hiding" things, thus trying to make them harmless in the public space and take away their autonomy.
At the end of the 19th century, women's and feminist associations came together to demand more comfortable and practical clothing, such as the Rational Dress Society, founded in 1891. Eight years later, an article in the New York Times echoed their demands, stating that "now that we are civilized, we need pockets (...), the female sex cannot compete if it has no pockets".
What's the situation today?
Unfortunately, not much has changed.
But at 17H10, at least, we think about these details. All our jackets have inside pockets, designed to be deep enough for your wallet, papers, pen or phone. This gives you the extra freedom of hands-free living.
It may be a detail to you, but to me it means a lot.
Christian Dior used to say "Men have pockets for storing things, women for decoration".
