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AIBU?

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Original poster

To want to snip people's coat tacks?

164 replies

ColonelSpondleClagnut · 04/05/2023 18:26

You know the loose stitch that holds the back vent of a coat or blazer together when you buy it? They're there to hold the item's shape in the shop but supposed to be removed before you wear it.

So many times I've seen someone walking along with the back of their trench or blazer still with the tacks in - and I want to just sneak up and snip it open! 😆
I wonder if their pockets are still sewn up too 🧐😆

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
PumpkinsAndCoconuts · 04/05/2023 21:10

Oh gosh, yess!! I see sooo many gorgeous coats. But then there is that stitch. Whyyy?? Why leave that one on??

LtMoose · 04/05/2023 21:11

I have never heard of this, how are people supposed to know this? And what's the big deal of it is left in? This all feels a little snobby to me

Pot8ohs · 04/05/2023 21:13

Margrethe · 04/05/2023 18:49

I’m with you!

I tell young professionals on the tube all the time. I have a little nail clipper in my handbag. I always worry they might be offended. But I’m very discrete and polite and say something like “What a lovely new coat you have! It looks like the sales person forgot to take the tailor’s tack out for you. Would you like me to give it a quick snip for you?” I’ve never had a bad reaction. Usually a bashful smile and a head nod. Maybe my grey hair helps too. If it’s going well, and I feel extremely bold, I might mention they have pockets which can be opened too.

I think this is such a sweet way to do it! Like having a lovely aunty to give you a helping hand ❤️

I don’t come from a suit or expensive clothes wearing family so had no idea about this. I fathomed it was a thing at some point though. Probably at TK Maxx!

marylou25 · 04/05/2023 21:24

I was at a funeral today, at the burial the two grandsons of the lady were standing in front of me, both still had the stitch in the back of their jackets, it caught my eye I'm afraid to say! Now they were only teenagers so I don't expect them to know but their mother and father were with them. I think it's probably because years ago buying a suit or good jacket/coat was a big deal and you bought it in a menswear shop and they most likely took it out for you had purchased whereas now when people just walk into M&S or Primark and buy a suit/jacket/coat they don't realise or know that stitch should come out and the shop assistants aren't going to be doing it!

Pixiedust1234 · 04/05/2023 21:26

I think i would rather be told about this. I didn't know it should be unpicked but I did notice it made the jacket look weird. I figured the designer knew what they were doing and the stitch was supposed to be there 😂

Whats this about the sleeve sticker? Don't think I've ever seen one of these.

Margrethe · 04/05/2023 21:26

HoldingTheDoor · 04/05/2023 20:53

Margrethe I do owe you a genuine thank you though because of you, I finally put nail clippers in my bag. Something I've been meaning to do for a long time because my nails break at the slightest touch so a sincere thank you for that

I have week nails too. Glad to help!

Rinkydinkydoodle · 04/05/2023 21:32

electriclight · 04/05/2023 19:32

I don't judge or sneer but I do wonder how it's not obvious that a single stitch on the vent needs to be snipped because surely it restricts movement. Similarly, I would've thought obvious that you don't leave the tag visible on the sleeve. But I've never told anyone, just silently hoped that someone else will. I do leave hangar tags in most things I buy that have them as they are often useful when hanging garments at home or in restaurants.

DD had these little high waisted pleated school culottes with what I thought was a sort of tulip silhouette and a very clever design feature of two neat little crosses sewn into the bottom of each pleat in a contrasting thread.

My mother-in-law told me what they were half way through the term, in a tone for people who don’t know you shouldn’t eat light-bulbs😂

Margrethe · 04/05/2023 21:37

Agree @marylou25 , most of us won’t be shopping anywhere that the shop assistant will be taking the tack out! But we can pretend it is the fault of s fictional shop assistant. 😁

TortolaParadise · 04/05/2023 21:46

Yes, I feel like doing this too.

Alaimo · 04/05/2023 21:49

M0nica44 · 04/05/2023 19:44

@Margrethe
I know you have had some negative comments, but personally I think it's lovely you do this. People aren't born knowing this stuff and if noone takes two minutes to tell them they never will.
I once was stopped by a very kind woman who discreetly told me i had my cardi on inside out! I felt like a proper numpty, but was so grateful someone had been kind enough to point it out. At least my looking daft stopped there!

I fully agree. My family are not suit people. They buy their stuff at Primark. I didn't grow up knowing this, and while I might feel mildly embarrassed having a stranger point it out in public, it's less embarrassing than finding myself in an important meeting 10 years down the line still not knowing this.

talesofginza · 04/05/2023 21:50

YANBU, this is one of my pet peeves! I did once tell a young guy (mid 20s, I wasn't much older at the time) getting off the train in London when I saw he had a white tacking stitch in the vent of his smart, black wool coat. He had a nice air about him and seemed so optimistic and full of purpose I assumed he was starting a new job or going to an interview, and I didn't want to say nothing knowing that his new colleagues might notice and assume he was inexperienced or whatever snobbier assumptions might be made. He thanked me.

The worst is when the stitch is left in the vent of a pencil skirt and the vent gapes awkwardly instead of fluttering while the person walks.

Digimoor · 04/05/2023 22:01

YANBU

ChiefWiggumsBoy · 04/05/2023 22:01

YANBU. I've only seen DH's brother twice in five years, and both times he's been wearing a suit with the jacket still stitched up.

Clarinet1 · 04/05/2023 22:03

EarringsandLipstick · 04/05/2023 19:54

'Calm down Fagin' that's brilliant 🤣

Show quote history

You’ve got to snip a pocket or two.

LoonyLois · 04/05/2023 22:07

I think the responses to this are a bit snobby. I never knew this. I recently wore a dress suit and had someone tell me about the one in the skirt slit. I’d never had one before and I’m late 40s. Not everyone is privileged to know this stuff

EarringsandLipstick · 04/05/2023 22:11

You’ve got to snip a pocket or two
🤣 love quick-witted MNers!

ThinWomansBrain · 04/05/2023 22:13

I occasionally keep pockets sewn up, mainly if they're teeny weeny ones - I don't get tempted to stuff things in that will likely fall out, and it keeps the line of the jacket/coat better.

I get irritated at those labels that say "100% wool" stitched on the outside that people often leave on - they look bonkers.

LittleBearPad · 04/05/2023 22:13

I get irritated at those labels that say "100% wool" stitched on the outside that people often leave on - they look bonkers.

It makes my teeth itch.

WhatWouldTheDoctorDo · 04/05/2023 22:14

You can snip mine. I KNOW they need snipped, but I somehow always forget. In fact, I bought a new blazer recently, I'll go check it...

InTheFutilityRoomEatingBiscuits · 04/05/2023 22:16

How do you get to know things like this? Who told you?

I have never owned or encountered an item with this stitch and so I don’t know. I might figure it out eventually but I don’t look at my own bum much.

PatriciaHolm · 04/05/2023 22:20

I would imagine it's rare that appear that Esquire and The Sun agree on something, but they do on this...

To want to snip people's coat tacks?
Beautyhoard · 04/05/2023 22:21

I would be furious afterwards.

Who do you think you are for gods sake?

Why the extreme reaction?! Would you do the same if someone told you the tag was still in your new x/y/z?

Canyoucheckonme · 04/05/2023 22:26

I notice these things too. Something my mum taught me many moons ago.

Something that is currently mildly irritating me is a mum in the school playground with a new handbag which has a label style leather tag on it saying GENUINE LEATHER... Ummm...think you're meant to remove that?!

LemonjeIIo · 04/05/2023 22:28

A woman who was walking in London last week, her dress had ridden right up behind her large back pack. You could see her knickers under her tights. I had to tell her, I felt bad for her

LemonadeSunshine · 04/05/2023 22:29

For jacket and blazer pockets I usually unpick an inch or so, just enough to fit my car key in!