Are shirts with no pockets acceptable as work shirts?

Golf_Nerd · Apr 16, 2008

Originally Posted by Quirk

Ah true enough -- I was thrown because a few people were suggesting the reverse, though I guess most of them were more or less expressing personal standards, rather than some sort of general standard.

Yes, no problem.

My MTM shirts are without pocket. Prior RTW shirt had pockets. I don't liked it because the seam of the pocket was collecting dirt.

Now, with wearing a suit all day long, nobody sees the missing pocket, because the jacket is closed at work. MY friends are not interessted in the difference.

IMO there is no general standard expect that everbody (John Doe and his business) should feel comfortable.

sonlegoman · Apr 16, 2008

Originally Posted by JoeWoah

Do you notice if other people are wearing a shirt with or without a pocket? Can you remember if the co-worker you last talked to (before this thread was on your mind) was wearing one?

Exactly my point above.

Mark from Plano · Apr 16, 2008

Originally Posted by Joseph K. Bank

Would it be illegal to conduct this type of poll outside of primary voting stations?

Proof positive that trolling isn't as easy as some make it out to be.

In most environments it doesn't really matter. Pocketless is better for a dress shirt, IMO. However, pockets are perfectly acceptable as well in most scenarios. 99.9% of people won't notice one way or another. That said, I don't wear dress shirts with pockets.

james_timothy · Apr 16, 2008

Carhartt, the traditional standard, plainly shows that workshirts have two pockets.

Oh, you mean -office- work. Nevermind.

gdl203 · Apr 16, 2008

Originally Posted by sonlegoman

The idea that pockets require a protector or they denote something nerdy is ridiculous.
I assume this is directed to me and I would invite you to read the exchange that lead to the joke about pocket protectors. I hardly expressed the idea above. It was a response to Kasper's statement that pocket dress shirts look "more professional" than those without pockets. If that stupid statement was true, I wondered what profession would require a pocket on your shirt...

borderline · Apr 16, 2008

I have both, and have sometimes attempted to (without looking) drop a pen or object into a pocket that is not actually there.

Thracozaag · Apr 16, 2008

What about pockets on brown shirts?

Joseph K. Bank · Apr 16, 2008

Originally Posted by gdl203

I assume this is directed to me and I would invite you to read the exchange that lead to the joke about pocket protectors. I hardly expressed the idea above. It was a response to Kasper's statement that pocket dress shirts look "more professional" than those without pockets. If that stupid statement was stupid, I wondered what profession would require a pocket on your shirt...
I don't feel that you have to use the word stupid to state your opinion. The word stupid to me is not in a professional business person's vocabulary. I do think that if a poll was conducted with all the CEOs the Fortune 500 companies that they majority would respond that they felt pockets on dress shirts are more professional looking but until Gallop or another organization conducts such a poll we are only stating our personal opinions and theories. If this is the case let's at least state them in a professional manner.

teddieriley · Apr 16, 2008

Why does the shirt have to be functional, i.e. capable of carrying a pen?

If you need to carry things, use your hands or stick it in your trouser pockets. Or is it the case that the shirt has a pocket and the trousers don't?

The False Prophet · Apr 16, 2008

Originally Posted by Joseph K. Bank

I do think that if a poll was conducted with all the CEOs the Fortune 500 companies that they majority would respond that they felt pockets on dress shirts are more professional looking

Exhibit A: pocketed shirt from the Donald J. Trump Signature Collection...

JLibourel · Apr 16, 2008

As with many other sartorial matters of this sort, I spent most of my fairly long life oblivious to the hierarchy of pocketless vs. pocketed dress shirts. As it stands, the comparatively few custom shirts I own are pocketless (as are some of my sports shirts). Were I to get more custom shirts, they would be pocketless because, thanks to the forum culture, I now deem them more elegant. All my RTW dress shirts are pocketed. The bulk of my RTW dress shirts are the cheapo Costco BDs, which have given me most excellent service and are just fine for daily wear to the office.

Mark from Plano · Apr 17, 2008

Originally Posted by Thracozaag

What about pockets on brown shirts?

Perfect for professional farmer.

Orsini · Apr 17, 2008

Originally Posted by Tailor In Style

...whether a office shirt should have a pocket or not...
Assuming you are referring to a dress shirt, for a classic presentation, you would want the dress shirt to have no pockets at all. So, yes, from that point of view a dress shirt with no pocket is not only appropriate for the office, but preferred. In fact, a long sleeve white shirt with two (breast) pockets is really no longer a dress shirt at all...

Tailor In Style · Apr 17, 2008

After reading everyones opinion here and thinking some more about it, I really think dress shirts with pockets are more formal.

But dress shirts with no pockets are more 'modern' and 'youthful'....

One thing is for sure though, shirts with two pockets dont have a chance..

I made a poll... lets Vote!!

Is it alright with people that I write a short article/post on the Dress Shirt Website www.TailorInStyle.com about this topic and the results?

Let me know if there are any objections to that....

Orsini · Apr 17, 2008

Originally Posted by Thracozaag

What about pockets on brown shirts?

For business I only do white, light blue, ecru, and light yellow, but if it is not intended to be a dress shirt, but a sports shirt or work shirt, then pockets would be OK.

Are shirts with no pockets acceptable as work shirts?

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