2017 Honorable Mention Round Up!

Not Quite a Stopped Pick-Pocket, Not Quite a Typical Travel Day...

Editor's Note: Sometimes pick-pockets and would be pick-pockets are simply deterred by our travelwear and not actually caught red-handed. We refer to these as honorable mentions. Here are our honorable mentions for 2017.

Venice Vaporetto Deterrence!

Hands Sculpture on the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy

Dear Clothing Arts,

Prior to our trip from California to Italy, I purchased 3 pairs of Clothing Arts Pick-Pocket Proof Pants. I wore them everywhere as I felt secure and they were very comfortable.

I was traveling in Venice on a Vaporetto (water bus) on my way to the train station from my hotel. I was obviously a tourist as I had my luggage and a backpack with me. The Vaporetto was very crowded with people standing very close to each other, which was prime for pick-pockets.

I looked over at two young men standing next to me and they were speaking Italian which I didn't understand, but I did understand they were talking about me when one of the men nodded to the other then he pointed to my pants. He said (in Italian) something then pulled his shirt down to cover his pockets. They both laughed. He pointed to me and my pants and shook his head to his friend. They both laughed again.

While there was no attempt at being pick-pocketed, I believe the appearance of these pants stopped any potential attempt. I'm sure these guys have done this before.

A couple days later I was entering the Ufizzi Gallery in Florence. Security scanned me and said "what's in your pocket?". After opening the clasp, the zipper and the Velcro ( and slowing down the line), I pulled out my wallet. She then asked what was in my other pocket, and I told her it was another wallet for my US dollars. She didn't want me to go through the same slow process so she just rolled her eyes and waved me through.

The pants are great and comfortable, but one has to remember to use all the safety features...keep them on the inside pocket protected by either Velcro or the zipper plus use the outside zipper AND the flap closure.

- Bill from California, USA

Fanny Pack Thief in Barcelona!

Dear Clothing Arts,

When I was in Barcelona in 2014 I had my wallet and valuables in my p^cubed pants and was wearing an additional frontal fanny pack with sunglasses and tissues in it. My wife and I were on a local train when I realized there was a man's hand in my fanny pack. He did not get anything. I guess he was intimidated by my p^cubed pants and went for what he thought would be easier pickings. I just ordered a pair of shorts for our SE Asia trip. Thanks for your clever inventiveness!

- Jay from Niguel, CA

Infamous Roman #64 Bus Route Bandit Blocked!

Dear Clothing Arts,

I was in Rome in mid December 2017 and didn't go a day during our eight-day visit without my nylon Clothing Arts Travel Pants. In my previous visits to the Eternal City, the possibility of encountering a pick-pocket was always in the back of my mind. With my new pants, I was able to enjoy my vacation with added leisure.

My story is not about a thwarted pickpocket, but about how my brother will likely be a future Clothing Arts customer. There are two places in Rome that are on the notorious pickpocket list: Termini train station and the 64 bus. My brother and I and other family members were waiting at a 64 bus stop when a crowded bus pulled up. We waited until our other family members were on the bus before we squeezed in. As we jostled for room, a small woman jumped on the bus next to my brother and sister-in-law. The female would-be thief first attempted to unzip my sister-in-law's purse. When my sister-in-law protested, the woman moved and in a moment had her sights on my brother, who was wearing jeans and had his wallet in his hand in his front right pocket. That didn't matter. In a flash the young woman slipped her small hand in his front pocket – even as he was holding his wallet! My brother, who is three times her size, grabbed her arm and shoved her out of the bus. This all happened before the doors closed!

For peace of mind I highly recommend buying at least one pair of Clothing Arts pants. It's much cheaper than the loss of a credit card or a wallet full of cash.

- Chris from Wichita, Kansas