That Mysterious Pocket

Every now and then, the subject of a conical-shaped pocket on a Victorian Natural Form Era dress pops up for discussion.   Starting around 1875, but more prevalent in 1876, is what is commonly known as a cornet pocket (sometimes referred to as a parasol pocket).  These pockets are quite beautiful,  pleated, shirred, ribboned, buttoned, fringed and trimmed. 

In doing a bit of research, I found a book entitled The History of Fashion in France by Mrs. Cashel Hoey and Mr. John Lillie written in 1882.   In part, it reads "In 1876, there was incredible variety in the shape of pockets: ......, there were "cornets," "hotties", and "corniers", all elegant articles of attire, beautifully made and embroidered, and fixed in various ways on the skirt."

There was no mention of the term "parasol pocket" in this article, or in any other article I found. I do know of one fashion plate that refers to the pocket as such, but have not found any others.

In the book "Victorian Fashions from Harper's Bazar" by Stella Blum, the subject of pockets again arises.  "Fashion History is dotted with occasional fads.  In 1875 dresses developed elaborate pockets.  They became so popular that to be consistent with the new asymmetrical design of the costume, they survived as a single pocket placed so low and so far back that they were rendered impractical and were reduced to pure decoration.  Although many dresses were made with these pockets for two years, there is no sign of their use afterwards."  

A great example of the "low and far back" impractical pocket is on this beautiful wedding gown from the FIDM collection.  FIDM link here  

As we can see, this "parasol" shaped pocket can be nothing other than decorative. A bride would not walk down the isle with anything in her backside pocket other than maybe a small handkerchief.

 

 Above is an 1876 Victorian illustration of various other types of shaped pockets that may be attached to a skirt, by ribbons or by sewing it on.
 
 Pockets were also used on wrappers (house/morning dress) in the mid 70s, as seen on this beautiful trained pale blue wool gown with watteau back. (antiquedress.com) A shame this gorgeous creation was never to be seen outside the home!

Right: A Lady by R.F.Barnes, 1876.

"Long velvet Princess polonaise (tunic and bodice in one) edged with fringe and with an ornamental pocket at the back."  Yet another mention it was ornamental decoration.

Victorian and Edwardian Fashion-A photographic Survey by Alison Gernsheim

A good friend of mine, Trudy F, See her blog here   was also interested in this subject awhile back. She contacted Kent State University and spoke with the curator of their extant gown collection, and asked if they had any gowns with outside pockets.  They had three.  The curator checked the pockets on the three and noted there was no visible wear on the inside or on the outside of the pockets.  This leads us to believe nothing with any weight to it was held in them.

Another indoor wrapper with the "parasol" shaped pocket.  Quite large, with pretty ribbons.  From a March 1877 pattern book.  Princess Robe flat pattern, or as a made-up pattern by Madame A. Letellier, post office orders to be made payable at the post office, King Street, Covent Garden.

Right: Probably the largest ornamental pocket I have seen!  "The pocket ... is of [silk], while the lap is of plain silk; both are edged with lace and a handsome bow completes the point." (Original source: Arthur's illustrated home magazine. October 1876)



Several period photographs suggest these pockets were used for handkerchiefs, small fans and gloves. I have several more examples not posted here, showing a peek of lace handkerchief coming out of the top of the pocket.

The book Victorian Costume 1860-1890 by Linda Setnik reads "Large ornamental pockets placed midway down the side of the skirt were also quite stylish, as well as practical for tight skirts (of 1876), making prominent an object which standard Victorian practice kept hidden within the side seams.  Often only a solitary pocket was visible, reflecting the asymmetry beginning to creep into garments."


In the book "Stitches in Time: The Story of the Clothes We Wear"   Author Lucy Adlington states: "In the 1870s there was even a brief fad for the flamboyant fan pockets of crinkled fabric on the outside of the skirt. A folded fan was slipped inside, with its decorative tassel on  show." 

This  pretty striped walking ensemble from Journal des Demoiselles 1876 shows a cornet shaped pocket which looks like it might be black silk.  Its poofy, so may contain her handkerchief or other small item.

Note the length of the ladies' parasols.  "Between 1865 and 1880 parasols lost their delicacy, handles became sturdy and bulbous and hinged sticks were no longer popular. From the middle of the 1870s sticks started to lengthen. Rustic style handles became popular in the late 1870s this fashion for gnarled wooden handles continued in vogue until the late 1890s. The cover of the parasol also changed and became slightly larger in the late 1870s".   Kay Inverarity, director and costume consultant, B.A.Hist. Dip.Ap, sci.

An at home dress with a cornet pocket.  She also has an unusual fan attached to her waist.   Hand colored engraved image from Demorest Monthly Magazine, 1876

Yet another type of pocket, the "Chatelaine" pocket.  Similar to those sewn on the dresses, this type is attached to the skirt at the waist by ribbons, and is removable. This pretty gown from the FIDM collection is an 1876 Reception dress. "Chatelaine pockets were popular between about 1875-1877. Both the fit and the styling of mid-1870s dresses demanded this exterior pocket. The fashionable skirt silhouette was flat in front, clinging closely to the hips and upper legs; this narrow line that would have been interrupted by a pocket. Additionally, the fashionable overskirt, pulled to the sides and fastened at the back, would have made sideseam pockets inaccessible. Thus, pockets became another opportunity for fashionable display. Like the pocket pictured here, chatelaine pockets were usually placed off-center and worn one at a time."   FIDM link here    




 
 A pocket on this polonaise is described as "a large pleated faille pocket, in the shape of a cornet, is set on the side, and is finished with a knot of flowing loops and ends of faille ribbon."  (Harper's Bazar 1867 to 1898)  Again, this is called a cornet pocket as its named for the horn's graceful shape.




This Harper's Bazar fashion plate describes the lady as having "large silk pockets with a ribbon bow."





I continue to find more and more examples of pockets in books and online articles from historians and actual descriptions attached to fashion plates.  Do you have an interest in a certain item or accessory?  Spend some time researching it.   Don't rely on someone's uninformed statement and believe it to be true.   Research is fun!