Like winning on a low-stakes scratchcard or stepping onto the train just before the doors close, finding out that the new dress you’ve just bought has pockets is cause to roll out a mini confetti cannon.
It doesn’t seem like much to ask of the fashion world; make pockets part of every dress design process, and I can assure you, sales will shoot through the roof.
On-board storage won’t cancel out the need for accessories such as handbags; it will only serve to complement them. Besides, there are plenty of times when a bag is overkill, whether you’re nipping to the shops to pick up eggs and milk, or just want to be footloose and hands-free of an evening.
Imagine a world where every dress came with pockets as standard, in the way men’s fashion does. Frankly, the world would be a much happier place.
So it’s clear: pockets are incredibly useful, make us altogether happier people and ultimately, are a push forward for equality.
There’s no need to wait patiently for such a scenario; not when we’ve rounded up the best dresses with pockets to shop right now. Suitable for work, play and everything in between, these are designed that make pockets the star of the sartorial show rather than a design afterthought.
Never again be forced to juggle your office key card, bank cards, lip balm and phone in your hands like a two-bit circus act. Pockets are here to save the day.
Shop now
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Aligne Rosia Drop Waist Linen Dress
The plain white dress is a summer staple, offering a sartorial blank canvas to dial up or down as you please. Aligne's offering boasts a square neck - universally flattering - and flowing skirt with side seam pockets to stash the essentials (ice cream money).
Buy now £124.99, Aligne
Anthropologie The Somerset Strapless Maxi Dress
A wedding guest-worthy dress that comes in extended sizes and has those coveted pockets? Add to basket now, and congratulate yourself on your smart investment later.
Sizes available span 2XS - XL.
Buy now £90.00, Anthropologie
M&S Collection Pure Cotton Denim Midi Waisted Dress
When cooler weather hits, a denim dress will prove a workhorse in your wardrobe rotation. M&S's pure cotton midi design has a faintly prairie look going on with deep pockets built into the side seams to make use of.
Available in sizes 6 - 18.
Buy now £40.00, M&S
New Look Green Striped Puffed Sleeve Midi Dress
When in doubt, there's no going wrong with a clean stripe. New Look's midi is full of them, from the empire line skirt to the puff sleeves. Pockets in the side seams allow you to keep precious items close without ruining the line.
Buy now £21.00, New Look
AllSaints Black Faye Shacket Dress
Ideal for transitional weather dressing, this shirt shacket dress will shine teamed with chunky boots and knit tights when the cold weather hits.
Buy now £179.00, next
ASOS DESIGN shift mini dress with pockets in print
Proving Tomato Girl Summer is here to stay, this shift mini is made for fruit picking or another kind of seasonal pastime. Two pockets at the hip make it even easier to carry your bounty to the cash register.
Buy now £25.50, ASOS
Toast Archivist Floral Print Cotton Shirt Dress
A shirt dress that you can wear to the office before dinner with your parents? Toast has both boxes ticked in this sweet number, which has an oversized fit and generous pockets nestled in the side seam to boot.
Buy now £175.00, Toast
French Connection Zaves Chambray Denim Midi Dress
A reliable shirt dress should be part of every woman's wardrobe. French Connection's utilitarian denim version comes with a self-tie belt to cinch you in for extra shape.
Buy now £99.00, French Connection
Joanie Victoria Midnight Floral Print Balloon Sleeve Midaxi Dress
Joanie loves pockets on dresses so much, it has a dedicated section to it on its site. Our pick? This 70s-inspired midaxi comes with fabulous balloon sleeves and an empire line that will make the skirt flutter when you twirl. Pockets, naturally, come as standard.
Buy now £85.00, Joanie
Albaray Velvet & Taffeta Midi Dress
Pockets on special occasion gowns - why not? The full taffeta skirt has plenty of volume to accommodate the pockets without ruining the lines of this elegant design. It's available in sizes 8 - 18.
Buy now £110.00, Albaray
La Redoute Maxi Dress
This solid shirt dress is the perfect choice for office days, with two pockets to hold essentials like your entry pass or phone for meetings. Find it in sizes XS - 2XL.
Buy now £35.99, La Redoute
COS boat-neck gathered midi dress
It's a little bit Wednesday Addams - but we're not mad about it. While the stripes give it a holiday feel, a black blazer will make it office-appropriate in a flash. Sizes span XS - L.
Buy now £85.00, COS
Fatface Ally Black Regular Check Shirt Dress
Checks are to autumn what florals are to spring. Prepare to meet your new seasonal staple in this maxi design, which comes with a matching self-tie belt for easy cinching in.
Buy now £69.00, Fatface
