Have you ever bought a new suit or coat and discovered that the pockets are stitched up, or it doesn’t fit as well as you’d hoped?There’s actually a good explanation for this.
Men’s style influencer Parker York Smith has share to his large social media following on why suits and coats often come with what seems like excess stitching, including a conspicuous X at the back.
In an enlightening clip, Parker advised his audience: “My friend, if you are fortunate enough to score yourself a new suit or sport coat, I need you to do these three things before it ever gets worn.”
He proceeded to detail the three essential steps to prep your jacket, which involves cutting of some stitches.
1. Cut off the sleeve tag
“First is to cut the sleeve tag off,” he declared while demonstrating on the small label attached to the end of a sleeve.
“As much as I would love for everybody to know this beautiful suit is from Todd Snyder, these tags are not meant to stay on,” he shared.
Parker used a seam ripper for a clean removal of the tag without damaging the fabric, then simply removed any excess threads inside the sleeve.
2. Open the pockets
“Number two is to open up all the pockets,” he instructed.
Although it may seem odd that pockets come sewn shut, Parker explained that this is done by manufacturers to keep garments in pristine condition during transit.
He went on to say: “So you gotta open it up so you can use a pocket square and actually have access to your pockets.”
Parker then demonstrated how to use a seam ripper to carefully undo the stitching that keeps the pockets closed.
He further clarified that while some might prefer the appearance of sealed flat pockets for a sleek look, he advocates for opening them up for added functionality.
3. Remove the X on the back
“And third, and arguably the most important, open up your vents,” Parker said. “On the back of your jacket, you’ll see that your vent is sewn shut. This is also to protect it from wrinkling in the shipping process.”
Using his seam ripper once again, he skilfully removed the large X stitch to free up the vents, pulling out all the threads.
He pointed out that vents are designed to be open on jackets or coats to enhance mobility and comfort when worn.
Final thoughts
Parker noted that although these tips may seem straightforward to some, he often observes individuals wearing their jackets or coats without performing these essential steps.
The video’s comment section was abuzz with viewers expressing their surprise at Parker’s revelations.
One viewer expressed their gratitude, commenting: “I had no idea. I thought the pockets were sewn shut because we weren’t supposed to use them. Thank you for continuing to share your wisdom.”
Another individual commented: “The vents! ! ! The amount of times I see men wearing these coats with the stitches in the vents, and the coat just hangs strangely. I want to lean over and pick out the stitches to free the coat. Great work, mate.”
A third person chimed in: “This goes for women’s suits as well! I can’t tell you how often women don’t open the vents on jackets and coats.”