Issue link: https://imageup.uberflip.com/i/1545102
8 SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | JUNE 2026 By eresa Rossetti, Resident As you know, over the years archaeologists have uncovered many artifacts and skeletal remains of those who lived way before us. A mummy, believed to have lived around 3,300 BCE during the Copper Age, was found wearing a belt with a sewn- on pouch to hold his tools. His name is Iceman, or Ötzi, in case you were wondering. In medieval Europe, early pocket-like openings started appearing in clothing. They were slits cut into the outer tunic, allowing access to a purse or keys. The use of pockets spread widely in the 16th century. Later, pockets were worn like purses, tied on a belt. By the 17th century, pockets were sewn into men's clothing. Women still had to tie them on, hidden beneath their skirts. That was fine, I guess, when women's dresses had multiple petticoats over their corset, and their chemise, and whatever other nonsense was required for a lady at the time. At least she could carry a handkerchief, some coins, and her smelling salts, possibly a small pistol in case of footpads, you get the idea. Over the centuries the availability of pockets for women's clothing varied based on the styles of the time. When gowns were slimmer, reticules were in style, a small, dainty handbag that didn't have much storage room. In the early 1900s, when women finally had the right to vote (the horror!), pockets in their clothing returned in force. By the 1920s, trousers with pockets were being mass-produced for women. Jeans became popular in the 1930s, at first shopped stealthily in the boy's or men's department by women who were fed up with their choices for "females." So, men have had pockets for centuries, but women must make do with smaller ones, some so small that one cannot hold a phone, keys, or, heaven forbid, a wallet in them. Think I'm kidding? I'm not, the pockets in women's jeans are still somewhere around 48 percent smaller than those in men's. Some women's pants even have fake pockets! What in heaven's name are we supposed to do with them? Social change has encouraged more practical pockets in women's clothing. This is pretty much thanks to the smartphones most of us lug around all the time. However, there is still a dearth of pockets in women's clothing. Sure, we have some in our casual pants, but most dress pants fall short. What are we supposed to do with our keys, tissues, lip balm, old cough drops, that coupon for CVS or the supermarket, or any other ephemera that women feel is needed? Still unfair, I say! There is some good news though. I recently "needed" a dress for an upcoming event. Too lazy to go to stores, I found three online. They all have pockets! Huzzah! It's Just Not Fair!