Ticket Pocket Blazers

[countryclubjoe]

Hi Folks

I came upon 3 blazers this past week all three have a ' Ticket Pocket" two are double breasted the other single.
I really like the look of these blazers. I will post some pics after they return from the dry cleaners.

What is the story behind the Ticket Pocket? When was that style first introduced in the States?
TIA for all opinions and comments.

Best regards
Countryclubjoe

 

[Gin&Tonics]

Well, I could be wrong, but my understanding is that it was originally actually meant to hold train tickets; it kept them easily accessible so you wouldn't have to search around for them when the conductor came round. I would suspect they first appeared some time in the Victorian era, arguably the golden age of train travel, but that's mere speculation on my part. I'm going to check wikipedia now since my curiousity is piqued.

Edit:
http://www.gilt.com/giltmanual/2011/07/know-your-terms-ticket-pocket/
Found this article. Looks like I was partially right and the actual origin was for equestrian's needing an easily accessible pocket for cash to pay for toll roads and bridges. It became a perfect place to put the train tickets, and that is where the current name comes from.

 

[Shangas]

You're pretty much right, Gin.

Effective railroad travel started around the 1840s/1850s. The pocket was designed to hold railroad tickets.

 

[countryclubjoe]

Gin
Thank you for the reply. So the thread started in Britian. I wonder when and by what manufactor actually started making the ticket pocket in the USA? I will start some research.
TIA
Best regards
CCJ

 

[Dinerman]

Do yours actually have the pockets? Most I find are just flaps.

 

[filfoster]

Random post: Last year, Peterman offered a navy DB blazer, peaked lapels, silver buttons, with the ticket pocket (a real one, I opened it). I got one but have never worn it.

 

[Tomasso]

I wonder when and by what manufactor actually started making the ticket pocket in the USA? I will start some research.

Good luck with finding the maker.....As for time frame, I would quess sometime around the Civil War since before then there wasn't much of a RTW industry. That said, the ticket pocket probably appeared on bespoke garments years before, not long after it began popping up on jackets in Britain. Some would argue that a ticket pocket, being of equestrian heritage, has no place on a blazer as it has a nautical backround.

 

[Oldsarge]

Good luck with finding the maker.....As for time frame, I would quess sometime around the Civil War since before then there wasn't much of a RTW industry. That said, the ticket pocket probably appeared on bespoke garments years before, not long after it began popping up on jackets in Britain. Some would argue that a ticket pocket, being of equestrian heritage, has no place on a blazer as it has a nautical backround.

That would be my feeling. I did a double take when I saw the title of this thread. A ticket pocket on a hacking jacket or the jacket of a business suit makes perfect sense. On a blazer? Odd . . .

 

[countryclubjoe]

Hi Folks

I probably used the term blazer to loosely, All three that I have do indeed have a functioning pocket.
I will post some pic's after I pick them up from the dry cleaners.
TIA.
Best regards
CCJ

 

[Dinerman]

Here's one on an early '60s jacket I recently sold. I see them a lot on jackets from the late '50s early '60s time frame.

 

[MikeBravo]

I have seen them on modern suits in the shops. A Mad Men flow-on I expect

I agree on the train ticket pocket hypothesis. I have also seen it mentioned that a cummerbund is designed to hold theatre tickets, hence the pleats face up. Mind you I have also seen that they are for catching crumbs!

Cummerbunds originated in India, so the real reason may not be widely known

 

[countryclubjoe]

I am currently watching a couple Ralph Lauren's on ebay with the ticket pocket.

Someday these will be vintage.

I also have seen the high end makers, Brioni, kiton, using the ticket pocket on there new lines, not sure if the pocket on those are functional or just for styling?

I personally like the look.

TIA

Best regards
CCJ

 

[Guttersnipe]

. . . Some would argue that a ticket pocket, being of equestrian heritage, has no place on a blazer as it has a nautical backround. . .

Wait, so you're telling me there are no horses involved in water polo!?!?!?!

 

[Tomasso]

Wait, so you're telling me there are no horses involved in water polo!?!?!?!

No, there are, but they're different horses .......