Pockets - Inside or Outside your Skirt?

I was always led to believe that pockets, no matter how beautifully decorated, were always worn under the skirt. Although it seems a shame not to show off the lovely stitching, security in the days of no street lighting and footpads on every corner, always would have commanded a greater priority than flaunting fashion. Many pairs of pockets have become separated over time, so to have the opportunity to image this crewel-work pair made around 1725-1750 which are still attached was a great pleasure for me when I visited the Swaledale Museum in Reeth a couple of years ago. The Museum in Reeth, in the heart of the North Yorkshire moors, is probably one of the most charming museums I have ever visited, and certainly one with the best views. But what sets it apart is that it is the only museum I know with guest rooms attached! Coming back to the pockets, all my certainties were thrown into doubt when recently I came across this picture circa 1785 in France. Here the woman is clearly wearing her pockets outside her skirt. Is it a difference between cultures? Might it have been the case that at certain times of the day the pockets were worn outside the skirt? Can you shed any light on this question?