April 02, 2019

114 Stopped Pick-Pocket: Pick-Pockets Swarm My Wife & I At Notre-Dame de Paris!

Europe ›   France ›   Paris ›  

Editor's Note: This is your 20th stopped pick-pocket in Paris!

Dear Clothing Arts,

A few weeks ago, while walking across a crowded bridge in Paris close to Notre-Dame, my wife and I were both “swarmed” by young teenage girls with the pretext of signing their petition. Quickly, the girls turned their attention from me to concentrate on my wife’s small purse at her waist. I have no doubt that they quickly realized my pants pockets could not be solved.

Upon this realization, I was able to extricate my wife from the swarm, where she realized the zipper on her purse had been opened. Luckily, only our daily itinerary had been removed and quickly discarded when they realized it was not currency.

These pants really work!

- Dale H from Florida, USA

March 14, 2019

110 Stopped Pick-Pocket: The Mona Lisa Pick-Pocket Who Never Gave Up!

Europe ›   France ›   Paris ›  

Editor's Note: This is your 19th stopped pick-pocket in Paris!

Dear Clothing Arts,

Thank you THANK YOU VERY MUCH...

The last time I was in Paris trying to see the Mona Lisa in that jam-packed room at the Louvre, a VERY determined woman made several tries at my Pick-Pocket Proof® Business Travel Pants back pocket.

I had some Paris travel brochures stored there and she would just not stop even when I turned around and gave her my best indignant glare. FUNNY, I know, but since I had nothing to lose I let her continue!?!?!?

I had no choice really because the Mona Lisa was on my bucket list and you know that belly to belly crowd of selfie taking teenagers was hard to accommodate. I made it through finally and got to see her from a distance, behind the THICK glass; all while being felt up by an OLD French woman!!! Oh, and she never even got around to undoing the button….

​- ​John​ B​ from Mississippi, USA

Here is the photo John was taking:

March 08, 2019

109 Stopped Pick-Pocket: Nice Try in Nice With Strollers!

Europe ›   France ›   Nice ›  

Dear Clothing Arts,

On October 17, 2018, we arrived at the train station in Nice, France. With luggage, we needed to take an elevator to the walkway over the tracks. The elevator was crowded and included two women with strollers. One, next to me, had a blanket across the stroller handles where her hands were. As the elevator doors closed I felt her shifting next to me. When we got out, the zipper of my Pick-Pocket Proof Pants pocket was partially down. Thanks to the great design of these pants, though, nothing was taken.

Thanks for these great pants.

- R.L. from Colorado, USA.

January 22, 2019

104 Stopped Pick-Pocket: iPhone Saved on Paris M4 Metro!

Europe ›   France ›   Paris ›  

Editors Note: This is your 18th stopped pick-pocket in Paris!

 

Dear Clothing Arts,

 

Who knew? Just arrived in Paris Gare Du Nord and took the M4 subway. It was packed. Standing, I felt my front right zipper being tugged. Not thinking about pickpockets, I put my hand there and looked - sure enough, a man with a jacket draped over his hand to obscure it was going for my pocket.

 

I purchased the pants more so that my phone and wallet wouldn't fall out of my pockets, but this made me happy. I'm writing this from my iPhone that I almost lost... thanks!

 

- Doug R. from New York, USA.

December 18, 2018

100th & 101st Stopped Pick-Pockets: Paris Metro Team of Four Double Stop!

Europe ›   France ›   Paris ›  

Editors Note: This is your 17th stopped pick-pocket in Paris and milestone 100th (and 101st!) known stop since Pick-Pocket Proof Travelwear started shipping around the world!

Dear Clothing Arts,

I was boarding the Paris metro near Notre Dame Cathedral with my wife and two friends the last week of September. Four males all converged at the boarding gate with one large male purposely trying to cram us all together as we boarded the train even though there were not that many people on the train. So I had a pickpocket on either side of me trying to get through the pants pockets. After about a minute I figured out what was going on and stepped away from them both.

The one on my right had managed to unbutton the strap but failed to get the zipper down. The man on my left failed completely. At the next stop, we all exited and these clowns quickly vanished looking for easier prey. Even local Parisians who were sitting on the train approached us after and asked if we realized that they were trying to pickpocket me. I’ve owned these pants for over a year and this is the first time I really had a chance to put them to use.

Thanks Clothing Arts!

Paul B. from California, USA

November 26, 2018

96 Stopped Pick-Pocket: Paris Gare du Nord Metro Station Stop!

Europe ›   France ›   Paris ›  

Editors Note: This is your 15th overall stop in Paris. 

Dear Clothing Arts,

Before leaving for Ireland and France in September, I mentioned to our traveling companions that pick-pockets were a real threat in Paris, especially on trains! One thought I was just being paranoid and since he is about 6’3” and 250lbs, thieves would likely strike elsewhere. Besides, he would be wearing double button cargo shorts so he would be safe enough, right?

Well, guess what? While boarding a train to Paris at a country station outside Paris, BOOM!, his cell phone disappeared from his two-button secured, back pocket … within a distance of about 12 feet and 10 seconds. He felt and saw nothing but yet the phone was gone. He hadn’t sat down or in any other way had put the phone at risk of falling out of his pocket either.

That same day two other friends of ours were with my wife and I in Paris as we were attempting to insert those little train tickets into the turnstile at a train station. One friend felt someone’s hand in the crowd brush her hand while holding the zipper on her purse. She held on tight and the attempt failed. Whew!

Then, on September 18th, the six of us were entering the Gare du Nord station in Paris. Again at the ticket turnstile with crowds of people around, wearing my Clothing Arts Travel Pants, I felt a hand ‘brush’ my left … secured pocket … and lost nothing. I spun around and the thief threw up both of his hands and basically said “What’s the problem?” and promptly disappeared. So, yea Clothing Arts!

But the story isn’t yet over.

The 6 of us regrouped and made our way to a train that was heavily crowded. AND we were on for just ONE stop!

Guess what?

My friend who had lost his cell phone, within 5 minutes of my successful deterrence, had his wallet stolen. (I actually saw the 2 men tag team, of thieves brazenly ‘do the deed,’ but unfortunately, in my naivete, I didn’t understand what I was seeing UNTIL we got off the train, and discovered the theft.)

All of this really did spoil our Paris feelings but reinforced the need for your products whenever we travel. I have a pretty clear feeling that you now have more customers for their next trip.

- Lance M, Washington, USA

October 17, 2018

90 Stopped Pick-Pocket: Paris Pick-Pocket Duo Decides Against The Challenge!

Europe ›   France ›   Paris ›  

Editor's Note:  We design our pockets to deter pick-pockets well before they ever think about an attempt. A pick-pocket is looking for an easy target, and in our pants, with your valuables stored behind multiple levels of security, you are anything but... The front zippers will tell them to go find another mark with pockets they are accustomed to dealing with. This testimonial is the first deterred pick-pocket we have published as it was witnessed. Most pick-pocket attempts go unreported and unless you catch them red-handed there is "no one to hear the tree fall in the forest." This is the 14th stopped pick-pocket in Paris.

Dear Clothing Arts,

We just got back from trip to Russia and France for which I bought your pick-pocket proof pants. My wife noted two guys standing behind me in a ticket line in Paris looking at my pants. They left the line, apparently concluding that the pants were difficult targets.

- Roger from New York, USA

May 22, 2018

76 Stopped Pick-Pocket: Paris Metro Team Thwarted Again!

Europe ›   France ›   Paris ›  

Editor's Note: This is our 13th stopped pick-pocket in Paris... that we know about!

Dear Clothing Arts,

I am a great fan of your clothing. My first pants (the old cotton Business Travelers) from you were purchased in March of 2013. In June of that year they thwarted a group of 3 pick-pockets while ascending the stairs from the Paris Metro.

Sorry, but I never let you know. Since then I purchased and wear an additional 3 pairs of shorts, 2 cargo pants, 1 brown business pants and 1 jacket. I like them all.

- Richard from Pennsylvania, USA

October 03, 2017

58 Stopped Pick-Pocket: Paris Metro Thief Thwarted

Europe ›   France ›   Paris ›  

Photo of the U.S. Army's 28th Infantry Division Marching Through the Arc De Triomphe - 1944

Dear Clothing Arts,

I was in Paris a couple of weeks ago for 10 days. The evening that we went to the Arc of Triumph the sidewalks were very crowded. I simply wanted to see were my dad drove the tank through the Arc with General George Patton when Paris was liberated in 1944. It was an electrifying experience to be there. Walking back to the metro it happened. A group of guys, commotion, and the attempt at my wallet. All happened in just seconds. Of course I still had my wallet and everything else in my pockets thanks to my Clothing Arts pants. Thank you!

- Gary from New Jersey, USA

August 29, 2017

53 Stopped Pick-Pocket: One Night on the Champs-Élysées

Europe ›   France ›   Paris ›  

Editor's Note: This testimonial is a special one. We received an email a few weeks ago from Eugene, a traveler who said, "I've been meaning to write this story down for years, but I've been very busy!!" The story that follows is an in-depth recording of Eugene's experience of being wrapped up in a local Parisian football rally. Luckily for him, he was wearing our pants. Luckily for us, he an amateur photographer and captured some amazing shots from the scene that we now get to share with you all. This is also our 11th stop in Paris! Here's what he said:

Dear Clothing Arts, 

On May 13, 2013, I walked over to the Champs-Élysées to take some pictures and hopefully practice my French. I was living in Paris at the time and my French teacher told me that the sun would set through the middle of the Arc de Triomphe that night. She knew I was an amateur photographer and gave me some homework. She told me to go and photograph the sunset on the Champs-Élysées and, at the same time, try practicing my French.

I positioned myself in a good spot in the middle of the Champs-Élysées just behind a traffic light pole. Within a few minutes, other photographers gathered around me to photograph this twice-a-year phenomenon. But something was not quite right. Cars began to wildly honk their horns and soon a roar of people could be heard. There were groups of marchers shouting and waving flags. Some began to light flares and the sound of police sirens and shattering glass could be heard. Trying to practice my French, I understood that an official celebration for the local soccer team, Paris Saint-Germain, has just been broken up by police at the Trocadero plaza after having devolved into violent hooliganism. Paris Saint-Germain had just won its first French league title in 19 years. Their team included soccer superstars David Beckham and Zlatan Ibrahimović. I later learned that over 800 officers were called out and 30 people were injured along with 21 arrested.

Forced out of Trocadero, part of this raucous crowd turned up on the Champs-Élysées. Many were upset at not having had the chance to see and applaud their team when the celebration was abruptly canceled due to security concerns. I was soon in the middle of this crowd without really comprehending what was going on. Some were clearly ecstatic and celebratory, while others were clearly angry and upset. Police were unable to control the team’s fans. Cars and motorcycles were soon going in both directions on both sides of the street while groups of marchers disrupted traffic. A police van drove by with a hand extended from an open window dispensing pepper spray. The crowd surged toward my position. I made sure my camera’s wrist strap was snug in case someone tried to grab it from me. The crowd pressed all around us. It was impossible to move. I felt someone trying to grab my wallet, but I knew they would fail, my wallet was safely zipped and buttoned inside my Pick-Pocket Proof Pants. The photographer next to me had his watch stolen right off his wrist as he protected his expensive camera. In the end, I got some good photos and, thanks to my Pick-Pocket Proof Pants, would-be thieves were thwarted.

-Eugene from Virginia, USA