During a recent travel conference in Toronto, Canada, I had the pleasure of meeting Adam Rapp, intrepid founder of a company called Clothing Arts which proclaims to make pick-pocket proof pants and shirts. Since I was getting rapidly fatter due to my pregnancy, I decided to order a clothing set for my husband, Colin, instead of myself. Then I decided to try to rob him. Let’s see what happened…
Zounds! My first attempt at pregnant pick-pocketing was deftly deflected by the shirt. It turned out that Colin had stashed his loot in one of several secret zippered pockets. Major bummer.
Ok, so I couldn’t break into the shirt. But maybe my thieving pregnant self could still snag some dollars from Colin’s pants? I wanted to buy pickles.
The pants triumphed! I was conquered. I collapsed in an exhausted heap on the floor of the ice cream store (where we were awkwardly disturbing the peace to photograph this escapade).
Colin became extremely smug and rubbed his fancy pants with pride: the pride that only comes from outsmarting a pregnant thief.
When our baby is born (supposedly in 1.5 weeks!) will he be ashamed knowing he was part of an attempted robbery? Thank you, pick-pocket proof clothes, for saving our son’s reputation by keeping the loot safe!
Colin’s awesome Clothing Arts outfit was generously donated, but all opinions and ridiculous staged photo concepts are my own.

The author, Lillie Marshall, is a 6-foot-tall National Board Certified Teacher of English, fitness fan, and mother of two who has been a public school educator since 2003. She launched Around the World “L” Travel and Life Blog in 2009, and over 4.2 million readers have now visited this site. Lillie also runs TeachingTraveling.com and DrawingsOf.com. Subscribe to her monthly newsletter, and follow @WorldLillie on social media!
Anne @ Pretraveller
Friday 29th of November 2013
Colin and Lillie, thanks for an entertaining article! The pickpocket proof clothes look like a good option which I might look into for my next trip.
Gabi (The Nomadic Family)
Sunday 17th of November 2013
Those pants are pretty cool. Such a fun way to review a pant.
Terry at Overnight New York
Saturday 16th of November 2013
The clothes look great -- as long as you remember which pockets to unzip/unbutton.
Clothing Arts
Saturday 16th of November 2013
We each own a few pairs and it's always surprising (& nice) when you put on a pair from your closet and find money you never took out!
A customer wrote in recently about taking his dad out to dinner and not being able to pay the bill - so his dad had cover it. When he got back to the hotel, he realized he'd just forgotten what pocket he put it in...
Lillie
Saturday 16th of November 2013
Haha, yes! Have to search deeply to make sure you don't throw the pants in the wash with money still hidden inside!
Bethaney - Flashpacker Family
Friday 15th of November 2013
Great post! Such a fun way to review a shirt. When is that baby of yours due?
Lillie
Friday 15th of November 2013
Thanks! He's due in four days!!!!
Adam Burton
Thursday 14th of November 2013
That was so hilarious! Now I want pants like those. haha! Thanks for making my day.
Lillie
Thursday 14th of November 2013
Glad to oblige. :) Thanks for reading!