In Babbitt, Sinclair Lewis writes that for protagonist George Babbitt, “A sensational event was changing from the brown suit to the gray the contents of his pockets. He was earnest about these objects. They were of eternal importance, like baseball or the Republican Party.” So by studying the contents of a man’s pockets, what details can you learn about him? Can a man be defined by the gear he wears and carries? We “picked-the-pockets” of several New Yorkers (regardless of political party affiliation) and took a look at the details of their existence to answer the key question: what are the objects you simply cannot do without? We found the bangles, baubles, trinkets and final flourishes of their dress were unmistakable expressions of their craft, uniqueness, eccentricity, faith, sentimentality and humor…
Photography by Weston Wells, Text by Erickson Blakney
Above photo: Contents of Weston Wells’ pockets; Above text: Erickson Blakney
