I love dresses with pockets. So much so that when studying fashion journalism at university, I did a whole project solely about pockets. They're important!
I've lost count of how many times I've complimented someone on their dress, only for them to excitedly reply: "Thanks, it's got pockets!". They're still a bit of a rarity when it comes to women's fashion, and not only are they very practical, they're also very chic. One hand in your pocket as you stroll down the street always add a bit of flair to an outfit, and who knows what to do with their hands in photos? Answer: pockets.
It turns out I'm not alone. British clothing brand Nobody’s Child recently surveyed 1,000 UK women and found that a whopping 75% wish that more dresses and skirts had pockets.
Not only that, but 59% stated that if a dress or skirt has pockets, they would be more likely to buy it, and just over half (52%) stated dresses with pockets are still too small for their belongings.
Thankfully, this season, plenty of the best summer dresses have got pockets, and there's something to suit every occasion, from a day at work to the best wedding guest dresses. I've scoured the high street and found the 12 best dresses with pockets to shop right now, some of which I tried and tested myself.
12 Best dresses with pockets
The best dresses with pockets are a must-have for both comfort and style. They're very often trapeze, smock or A-line in shape, as these cuts leave the most unobtrusive room for inner pocket bags. Dresses with pockets are universally flattering, as the fuller skirts, teamed with tapered tops, avoid adding extra unnecessary bulk, as the skirt swallows up any extra fabric. While many people think dresses with pockets are largely relegated to casual wear, we have even spotted pockets in wedding dresses (yes, it's true!).
This is my favourite of them all. You know a dress is good when you put it on as soon as it arrives. In a cotton linen blend, it's super soft and there are tiny beads on the stitching. The smocked waist is super flattering, and the pockets are generous - it's a kind of pop your phone and keys in your pockets and go kind of dress.
,If you're looking for a slimmer silhouette, this denim dress is a great option. Sizes are selling quickly though, so don't wait. The V-neckline and button-down front are super flattering, and it's a great alternative to jeans in the hot weather.
Looking for a bargain buy? Grace Karin dresses are super popular on Amazon, and I love the scalloped detailing on this blooming beautiful option. One reviewer wrote: "I absolutely love this dress, it is exactly the style and pattern that I love and it has pockets".
Talk about getting two for the price of one. This looks like a top and skirt, and will work really well with your most comfortable sandals all summer long. The all-important pockets are described on the ME+EM site as "bulk-free functional pockets."
This was another of my favourites. The pockets sit a little higher up than on other dresses, but the embroidery really is stunning. The square neckline and puff shoulders really set this apart from your everyday LBD.
This dress is high up on our wish list right now. The russet colour is really unusual, and the embroidery is so eye-catching; this could work well for the most glamorous of occasions.
This one is made from EcoVero™, a sustainable viscose with the lowest environmental impact. So you can feel good about looking good!
We love Uniqlo for minimalist capsule wardrobe staples, and this khaki dress epitomises this aesthetic. The simple cut is great for everyday, and Fashion Editor Matilda Stanley recommended this as an "amazingly breathable dress" for sticky heatwave days.
This dress is available up to a UK size 26, and I loved the wrap over V-neckline. A leopard print midaxi is ideal for wearing to the office, and would look great styled with a denim or leather jacket.
I've seen this dress popping up on social media a lot lately and I have to say I'm a big fan of the stripes. I've had great experiences with New Look summer dresses (my favourite is five years old at this point), so this is well worth a try.
The Somerset silhouette has been a huge hit for Anthropologie, and there are always numerous colourways and print options over the summer. On the website, it's described as "our bestselling, best-reviewed dress, ever!". 1950 people can't all be wrong!
This is the perfect length to show off your favourite trainers - I'm wearing mine with the Russell & Bromley Park Mid flatform laceless trainers here. The adjustable zip neckline is a really nice touch, too.
FAQs
Can pockets be added to a dress?
In most dresses, it should be possible and fairly straightforward to add hidden pockets. Take it to your local tailor for the best results.
Why don't dresses have pockets?
The design team at Nobody’s Child shared their insights on how women’s pockets have developed, and what the history is behind the beloved functional feature:
“Traditionally designed to be unseen, tighter-fitted fashion trends such as skinny jeans or bodycon dresses can mean that pockets will look bulky, and so they are reduced in size or potentially left out altogether.
“And this is a phenomenon that has cycled throughout history. Back in the 17th century, tie-on pockets—which were attached to the waist—were hidden typically under a woman’s dress, and would have to be accessed through openings in the dress and petticoats.
“With fashion trends changing, these fell out of fashion as more figure-hugging dresses came into the mainstream.
“During this period of time, women also didn’t have the same access to money or property, with their husbands carrying these necessities, meaning pockets were not seen as needed for married women in particular.
“Therefore, it has also been suggested that the addition of pockets offers women a sense of independence and assertiveness with their outfits, giving them the means to carry their own property.
“However, there began to be campaigners to make women’s clothing more functional. In 1881, the Rational Dress Society was formed, and later, in the 1910s, a ‘Suffragette suit’ was launched, featuring six pockets to offer women maximum practicality and freedom.
“And as women then joined the factories and workforce during World War I and II, they began to wear more trousers, with access to pockets becoming in favour with the public.
“However, as the data shows, even though more women’s clothing is now designed to feature pockets, UK women still feel that they are lacking when it comes to this functional feature."
Where to buy dresses with pockets?
Nobody's Child has an entire section of their website dedicated to dresses with pockets, which is helpful as very often, product descriptions don't say whether or not they do indeed have pockets, and it's not always clear from images.
FatFace, Joanie and Wyse London all have similar sections on their websites, too.
