13 Types of Pockets: Common Pocket Styles

Pockets are patches of fabric sewn into clothing and accessories to hold personal belongings. Pants, jackets, bags, long sleeve shirts, and graphic tees incorporate pockets for carrying small items. Some pockets blend into an article of clothing or bag, while some fashion designers add colorful embellishments like embroidery or beading to pockets. Tailors and designers use sewing patterns, pocket patterns, and templates to add new pockets to clothing.

Different types of pockets serve varied functions. Common styles of pocket designs include:

1. 1. Bellows pocket: This is a large pocket made with a box pleat. The pleat allows bellows pockets to easily expand and hold multiple items.
2. 2. Besom pocket: Also known as a slit pocket or jetted pocket, a besom pocket is a flapless pocket typical in suit jackets, sport coats, and dress pants.
3. 3. Breast pocket: Sewn into the chest of jackets and shirts, breast pockets are common in menswear and unisex styles, especially classic button-down shirts, suit jackets, pocket tees, or T-shirts.
4. 4. Cargo pocket: These pockets maximize space by using folds, pleats, or tucks to create expandable layers. Designed for cargo pants, these pockets have a casual, industrial look.
5. 5. Coin pocket: Smaller pockets sewn into jeans pockets, coin pockets hold coins and other tiny items. Originally, coin pockets were watch pockets designed to hold a pocket watch. However, as pocket watches became less mainstream, the coin pocket decreased in size and became a place to store loose change.
6. 6. Flap pocket: Featuring a fold of fabric over the pocket opening to keep items secure, flap pockets are great for storing more valuable items.
7. 7. Inside pocket: Ideal for securing personal items such as a wallet, inside pockets are pockets sewn into the interior of a garment. Inside pockets are a popular type of jacket pocket, and some feature a zipper on the pocket opening for extra security.
8. 8. Kangaroo pocket: These pockets are popular in unisex sweatshirts and hoodies. As a large patch pocket, kangaroo pockets are open on both sides so you can easily slide your hands in and out for extra warmth and storage.
9. 9. Patch pocket: One of the most basic pocket patterns, a patch pocket creates a pocket by attaching a piece of fabric to the garment. As an open pocket, this pocket style offers easy access to items.
10. 10. Side seam pocket: A discrete style of pocket sewn into the seams of a piece of clothing, these pockets blend into the fabric of the garment. Side seam pockets are ideal for skirts, formal pants, and dress patterns.
11. 11. Slanted pocket: Also known as slash pockets, slanted pockets have an opening slit that rests along an angle. A casual pocket style, slanted pockets are common in pants—the pocket starts at the waistband and angles down toward the outseam—but jackets also feature slanted pockets.
12. 12. Utility pocket: This type of practical patch pocket has multiple compartments in a single, large pocket. The ability to hold many items makes utility pockets standard in bags, military uniforms, and utility vests.
13. 13. Welt pocket: This pocket is often flat and sometimes includes a reinforced border along the edge of the fabric. A welt pocket is a sewn pocket topstitched in place on top of a garment.

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