Shirts With Pen Pockets

[MrThoth]

I'm not sure this topic precisely falls under the rubric of "pen paraphernalia," so if this post is more appropriate for another forum, by all means someone with Awesome Moderator Powers please move it there.

 

As fountain pen lovers, I suspect most of us like to carry a FP along if we can. One of the easiest ways to do this is in one's shirt pocket, but unfortunately many pens (especially the heavier ones that I like) tend to make the pocket sag, don't always stay in place, and so on.

 

The obvious solution is a shirt with a special pen pocket -- typically a pen-width pocket next to, or part of, the larger pocket on the left breast. Unfortunately, finding shirts with pen pockets -- especially dress shirts or other "nice" shirts as opposed to work shirts -- has proven difficult for me. Have any of you out there had better luck?

 

I have some Cabela shirts (both short and long sleeved) that have a hole in the pocket flap to let you carry a pen, which is great but also makes it difficult to open the pocket without removing the pen. I recently acquired a Tri-Mountain short sleeve shirt that was described as having a "hidden inner pen pocket." This proved to be little more than a flap of cloth along the right inner side of the left breast pocket that's only attached on one edge -- better than nothing, I suppose, but not a true pen pocket. And all of these are casual/work shirts, not the sort of thing I could wear with a suit or a sports jacket.

 

So I'm hoping some of y'all will have some suggestions before I resort to getting a seamstress friend to sew me some new shirts with pen pockets from scratch.

[jimhughes]

My Dickies Scrub Shirts have a pen pocket. Medical Supply item. A few random dress shirts also, but not in every shirt from the same Manufacturer.

[furious]

A big problem with today's dress shirts is pocket depth--most that I have presently are barely deep enough to securely clip a Parker 51, so I often carry smaller pens (less than 5" capped) such as a Sheaffer Junior.

[Komitadjie]

I know a lot of "pilot's" shirts have an upper-sleeve pocket for pens...

[Parker51]

Columbia used to have pen pockets, but this feature was dropped a few years ago. I still have a few shirts from then however, but they are definitely casual. In regard to deep dress shirt pockets, I have found Brooks Brothers to be quite adequate, as well as LL Bean, with nice deep pockets.

[Komitadjie]

Also, 5.11 Tactical makes a dress shirt that has an absurd number of pockets, including a pen pocket.

 

It's not tuxedo-jacket dressy, but it's a nice looking button-front.

[Chi Town]

This is an especially difficult topic for me as I am retired/disabled thus have no reason to wear a dress shirt any more. And I would like to if nothing more than to carry my pen (s) in a shirt pocket. I do have a casual shirt, but cannot remember it's name, it has pockets and it's a fishing shirt if that helps at all. I'm downstairs and they are all upstairs. I'try and remember to go up tonight and get the name off the shirt, sorry :-(

[MrThoth]

To add a couple of points:

 

1. Personally I'm not interested in shirts with pen pockets on the upper arm/sleeve (though others reading this thread may be). That type of pocket is great for many situations, but (a) it's utilitarian rather than stylish, and (b ) it makes it impossible to get the pen if you're wearing a jacket.

 

2. I would rather avoid "tactical" style shirts. Some of them are quite cool, but they're charging a high price for functionality I don't need and would rather not pay for.

 

3. Personally I'm only in the market for button-down shirts; I don't like polos and rarely wear t-shirts. (Again, other readers may differ, so don't let this stop you posting a good suggestion.)

 

 

At the upper level I'm looking for a shirt I could wear with one of my suits in a business situation (long sleeve), but something a step down from that, such as a short sleeve shirt appropriate for, say, a dressy cook-out kind of event.

 

Thanx!

Edited July 17, 2014 by MrThoth

[sargetalon]

A big problem with today's dress shirts is pocket depth--most that I have presently are barely deep enough to securely clip a Parker 51, so I often carry smaller pens (less than 5" capped) such as a Sheaffer Junior.

 

I have encountered this as well. Some seem barely big enough for my Pelikan M200's

[Komitadjie]

I'm not a big fan of the "tactical" stuff myself, but I personally *do* like the arm-pockets. My work environment is business-casual, so polo shirts and slacks are the order of the day. A nice-looking polo with a sleve pen pocket is just the ticket at my workplace.

 

I definitely agree that it's rather difficult to find a shirt with a deep enough front pocket, though! Most of the time, I keep my pen clipped diagonally inside my shirt, through the space between the lowest button and the seam in the neck opening.

Edited July 17, 2014 by Komitadjie

[AustinMalone1999]

Another issue for me is that my shirt pockets are not long enough to accommodate my pens. The clip can not even get hold of the pocket because it is so shallow. The solution is for all of us to create a Clothing For Fountain Pen Enthusiasts Union. Imagine, khaki cargo pants that hold ink samples or bottles.

[Komitadjie]

Imagine, khaki cargo pants that hold ink samples or bottles.

 

I'm imagining... imagining... oh god, my entire leg is Baystate Blue! Argh, shattered glass in my knee! Why did I ever think I should carry a glass bottle in my pants? Arrrrrgh!

 

... Hence, I think we need to demand cargo pants, AND shatter-proof bottles!

[Tasmith]

C.E Schmidt Workwear brand work/casual shirts from Tractor Supply Company have nice deep pen pockets in their shirts.

[Tojusi]

Well, the answers are cross-body satchel, man-purse, leather portfolio that you carry around with the pens in it, carrying a pen pouch in your hand (careful not to forget it), suit jacket / sports jacket pockets... I don't really see the shirt pockets as an option, but to each his/her own!

[CraigR]

I am also retired and now days rarely wear anything other than jeans or shorts and pocket tee shirts. The depth of the pockets in my tees is a bit shallow for many of my pens to ride safely. I started carrying a two pen leather case and just slip it into the front pocket of my jeans.The pens stay secure and are easily accessible. I have several cases but the one most often used is a 3 pen case made of soft leather with a fold over flap. I found this case at a pen show a number of years ago - no name or markings on it.

 

In the winter, I like to wear long sleeved flannel shirts. Some of the ones I have used pockets with flaps and a separate pen pocket next to the main one. These seem deep enough for the pens in my rotation, so I carry a pen there.

 

My planner/journal is normally within arms reach, if I am at my desk or out and about. The journal is a classic size zip up affair and has provision for carrying a fountain pen inside. This arrangement works no matter what shirt I am wearing.

 

Craig

[leicamaster]

The pocket depth is often the problem. I wear dress shirts with pockets most nearly every day, but the only pens I can clip with comfort -- and no sagging -- are my MB Boheme or a Parker 51. Everything else sticks out a bit too much and moves to the side -- which is awkward.

 

I rejoice when winter comes because I usually wear a wool work shirt/jacket over my regular attire, and it has the perfect pocket for pens.

Edited July 17, 2014 by leicamaster

[framebaer]

It's depressing how many shirts these days have NO pockets. I have found that I need to actively search for shirts with pockets -- be they T's, dress, or polos!!

 

LLBean has a nice line of Polos with decent deep pockets on them in 10 + colors. I own a bunch.

Edited July 17, 2014 by framebaer

[MrThoth]

Agreed, sometimes just finding a nice shirt with any pocket is tough.

 

Years ago I worked for a company whose company polo shirt (which we had to wear at conventions and trade shows) had no left breast pocket. My girlfriend at the time got tired of hearing me grouse about it, secretly contacted my boss for permission, and then sewed a pocket on each of them for me as a birthday present. I was the envy of my coworkers ever after.

[MrThoth]

 

 

Another issue for me is that my shirt pockets are not long enough to accommodate my pens. The clip can not even get hold of the pocket because it is so shallow. The solution is for all of us to create a Clothing For Fountain Pen Enthusiasts Union. Imagine, khaki cargo pants that hold ink samples or bottles.

 

<<Announcer Voice>> "One of the secrets to Fountain Pen Man's ability to fight crime so effectively is his Fountain Pen Utility Belt, which holds a crucial selection of writing instruments, nibs, inks, fine papers, ninja throwing stars, and grenades." <</Announcer Voice>>

[MrThoth]

 

 

C.E Schmidt Workwear brand work/casual shirts from Tractor Supply Company have nice deep pen pockets in their shirts.

 

I'm checking those out online, Tasmith -- thanx for the suggestion!

 

Question: from the pictures I'm looking at, I can see the stitching for the pen pocket. But is it an actual full, discrete pocket, entirely separate from the left breast pocket, or is it just a flap of cloth attached inside the pocket along one edge (as with my Tri-Mountain shirt)? If it's the former, I'll definitely order a shirt.