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One summer, I purchased what became my favorite work outfit of all-time: a no-nonsense yet flattering black dress from Madewell. In addition to being cute and comfortable, I loved it for its utilitarian construction: it had deep, nearly invisible pockets.
Pockets have been sorely underrepresented in women’s fashion, especially with form-fitting items. Women’s jeans have microscopic pockets that, if you haven’t yet eaten, might on a good day fit fifteen cents. Our blazers have dainty pocket flaps that, upon further inspection, are revealed to be a ruse. Where we wish to find a pocket is a useless seam. Pockets have been relegated to mere optical illusions.
A true pocket – a pocket that comfortably fits your entire hand – is a glorious gift, a wearable best friend. It carries our secrets. What could we be hiding in them? A true pocket never tells.
A few years ago, pockets in workout clothing were hard to come by. Sure, maybe your running shorts had that weird interior pocket, the flappy rectangular one you tucked into your waistband and never used. But what about your bulkier baggage? In today’s age, are we still expected to carry our cell phones, like, in our hands? Or, more absurdly, leave them behind?
All this is to say: I recently acquired a life-changing pair of exercise leggings. They have big, wide pockets that fit my cell phone.
For safety purposes, when I run alone I always run with my phone. Prior to owning these leggings, I would tuck my phone into my sports bra, where it was bathed in hot, slimy sweat. Once fully doused, it would attempt to escape, inching below the bra’s elastic band. In a panic, I would slap my chest to prevent its crash onto the pavement. I’d carry it in my hands the rest of the run, switching it between palms like a flat hot potato.
If this sounds like a first-world problem, it’s because it is. But even a small annoyance deserves a solution, doesn’t it?
The powers that be at our favorite activewear companies have finally gotten on board with this problem that, frankly, has been ignored for far too long. You can now find workout gear that not only has pockets for those dainty keys and credit cards, but also for what really matters: our mammoth smartphones.
I’ve become a woman obsessed. I’ve scoured the internet for all pocket-related workout gear. And, of course, I want to share the love with you.
I’ve gathered all the big-pocket gear you want – oh, let’s be honest, need – in one place.
Here are the sports bras, shorts, and leggings that have pockets big enough for your cell phone. (If you make it all the way to the end, there’s a special bonus surprise!)
Note: Some of the selected products have limited supply in certain sizes and colors. If the product you want is not available, I’d suggest checking back! Pockets are in high-demand, so it’s likely they’ll restock.
Sports Bras with Pockets
Lululemon Stash N’Run Bra
$58 at Lululemon. Pockets on both sides of the chest give you room to store your phone, keys, GU, and whatever else you might need. Average review is 3.6 stars out of 5. Only available in black; sizes 2-12. (Currently only size 2 in stock.)
Fabletics Mila Medium-Impact Sports Bra
$44.95 regular or $34.95 for Fabletics members. Back pocket for smartphone. Average rating of 4.4 stars out of 5. Available in XXS to Large in black, pink (pictured), gray and white.
Nike Swoosh Rebel Women’s Pocket Medium-Support Bra
$45 at Nike. Comes with side pockets, back pocket, waistband pocket, and teeny-tiny strap pockets. It’s a pockexplosion! Available in sizes XS-XL, only in black. Read more about it in this Well + Good writer’s review.
Queenie Women’s Medium-Support Back Pocket Bra
$18.99 on Amazon. Average rating of 4.6 stars out of 5. Available in S-XXL. Colors: purple, pink, royal blue, sea blue, black, and orange. Has cute little flap that covers the top of the phone pocket.
Oiselle Flyout Bra
$52 on Oiselle. Average review of 4.3 stars out of 5. Available in sizes 0-12, colors blue (pictured) and black.
Shorts with Pockets
Lululemon Fast and Free 6” Short
$68 on Lululemon.com. Sizes 0-14, colors black, multi, gray, blue, and gray camo. Average review of 3.4 out of 5 stars. Has side pocket and low back pocket.
Athleta All in 7” Short
$49 on Athleta.com. Online Exclusive. Available in XXS-XL in black only. Comes with handy-dandy zipper pocket for skinny credit cards or keys. Average review is 4.6 stars out of 5.
Brooks Rep 3” 2-in-1 Short
$42 on Amazon.com or Brooksrunning.com. Comes in sizes XS-XL, colors gray (pictured right), seafoam green (pictured left), black, navy blue, and purple.
Asics I Move Me Pocket Sprinter Short
$45 on Amazon.com or Asics.com. Available in sizes XS-XL, color black only. 4″ inseam.
Fabletics Mila High-Waisted Pocket Short
$49.95 or $39.95 for Fabletics members. Available in gray, white, plum, and navy. Sizes XXS-3X. Average review of 4.6 out of 5 stars.
Oiselle Pocket Jogger Shorts
$62 on Oiselle.com. Available in crimson (pictured), navy, and black in sizes 2-12. Comes with zippered back pocket in addition to the side pocket pictured. Average review of 4.6 stars out of 5.
ODODOS High-waisted Pocket Yoga Shorts
$14.88-$31.98 on Amazon.com. Available in both longer and shorter inseam in a wide range of colors. 4.4 out of 5 stars average review (over 2,000 reviews). Showing both inseam options here so you can get a sneak-peak of what’s available.
Leggings with Pockets
Lululemon Speed Up Tight
$108 on Lululemon.com. Available in black, navy, olive green (pictured) and royal blue. Sizes 0-14. Zippered back pocket and side phone pocket. Average 3.4 out of 5 stars.
Brooks Running Threshold Pant
$90 on Brooksrunning.com. These are cold-weather pants with deep zippered side pockets and a smaller secret back pocket. Brand new, so no reviews yet! I’m drooling over them, so if you buy a pair, tell me if you like.
Gap High Rise Capris in Sculpt Revolution
$42 – $59 on Gap.com. Sizes XS-L, in periwinkle (pictured), black and navy. Also available in Tall and Petite sizing!
Heathyoga Pocket Leggings
$12.99 – $24.99 on Amazon.com. Available in sizes XS to XXL in TEN different colors. Holy smokes! Average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars, with over 500 reviews.
ODODOS High-waisted Pocket Yoga Leggings
$16.88 – $35.98 on Amazon.com. The bad boys pictured are $17.98 in a size small. Also available as a capris legging. Sizes XS to XXXL. Offered in too many colors for me to count :P. Average rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars (over 8,000 reviews).
Athleta Salutation Stash Pocket 7/8 Tight
$89 on Athleta.com. Online exclusive. Available in sizes XXS to XL in colors crimson, navy and black. Average rating 4.7 out of 5 stars (over 300 reviews).
C9 by Champion High-Waisted Colorblock Capri Leggings
$25 on Target.com. Definitely channeling the Outdoor voices colorblocking vibe. Available in blue, purple, or gray in sizes XS to XXL.
BONUS
No Pants, No Problem: Pockets Edition
“I’m a lady and I want to sweat in a dress!”
Said this recently? I know I have. Outdoor Voices heard us. These exercise dress and skort options are its response to our outcries.
Outdoor Voices Exercise Dress
$100 on Outdoorvoices.com. Available in sizes XS to XL in colors black, navy, light blue, evergreen, black polka dot, dove frost, and mineral blooms (pictured).
Outdoor Voices Exercise Skort
$55 on Outdoorvoices.com. Available in sizes XS to XL in colors black, navy, evergreen, and pale blush (pictured).
Peace, love, and pockets. ✌️
