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As you may have heard, the pocketlessness of modern womenswear is rooted in sexism, and the inconvenience of this serves only to spawn further inconveniences (we’re looking at you, clutches). However, for some women, the absence of pockets is more than a nuisance: It significantly affects their ability to get dressed every morning.
For diabetic women who wear insulin pumps, skirts and dresses that don’t have pockets are especially problematic. Without one, women have to clip the Game Boy-shaped device on the waistband of a skirt (many of which are too flimsy to adequately support it), and dresses, particularly anything slim-fitting, are almost out of the question.
So whether you’re looking for a way to discreetly conceal your insulin pump (or Game Boy!) or you’re just sick of the patriarchal world in which you have to hold your phone every time you stand up, here are a few skirts and dresses with plenty of pockets to stick your stuff in.
Everlane is known for its use of high-quality fabrics, so you can expect these pockets to be sturdy — minimal pulling and sagging. Both of the above options are perfect for work: they’re sleek, professional, and not too tight. The Japanese GoWeave Sleeveless V-Neck Dress ($98) would be great for casual weekend wear too, while the E2 Flare Dress ($88) could easily be dressed up for more formal occasions.
(For dresses like this, you can cut a tiny hole inside the pocket to run the tubing from an insulin pump to the insertion site. Tight spandex shorts under the dress can work, too.)
& Other Stories is another brand you can count on for materials that are strong enough to handle a weighty pocket. This Crepe Dress has deep pockets and comes in four colors, so at $65, you might want to grab a couple. And while a pencil skirt may not be the most obvious choice for concealing a bulky pocket, the metallic quality of this Silver Leather Skirt will help camouflage it.
Front pockets are ideal, in my opinion, because they won’t obscure your silhouette as drastically as side pockets. Both these minis from Mango are very reminiscent of early seasons-Rachel Green, which is a look I will never not love.
Skirts and dresses with all-over prints hide bulky pockets well. Many of Modcloth’s dresses come equipped with pockets (even the more formal options), so it’s a good place to start if you’re looking to buy a few things. Both of these have the added benefit of a slightly fuller skirt, too, which will also help distract from any bumps.
This Wilfred Trompette Dress ($67) from Aritzia has a really nice shape, and the pockets look extra spacious. (It’s great on its own, but would pair really well with a turtleneck underneath, too.) Cutouts are your friend if you’re dealing with medical tubing, which is what makes the Wilfred Brax Jumpsuit ($165) perfect — easily slip it through the subtle cutaway on this chic jumpsuit, and then tuck the pump in your pocket.