I wonder if pockets were not earlier as you can find on some 14th century outer garments with slits on the sides, sometimes embroidered. I was once told that they were for warming the hands but because of the cuffs that extended on some of the garments I am inclined to believe that the slits were for access to something under the outer garment.
De -----Original Message----- Well, they were in use in the 16th century, I can't remember the exact reference off the top of my head but there is a court mention of Anne Boleyn using pockets but it is the only one I know of, of women in England using them that early. Might have been part of her trial? Sorry, my memory is going. Cheers, Danielle _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list [email protected] http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
