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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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
Hop27 · 04/05/2023 22:30

I needed you last week OP, got out the cab on the way to fly to a meeting and realised I'd forgotten to snip mine! The whole way there I was thinking people would be looking at my new jacket thinking .... look at that knob. Had to ask a coffee shop for scissors as soon as I got out the airport.

pontipinemum · 04/05/2023 22:33

@TulipTuesday that is very sad 😩that young lad should have been wearing his new suit with the stitch still in too.

Yes it looks awful, I always unstitch it. It looks particularly bad on big coats.

To want to snip people's coat tacks?
Luredbyapomegranate · 04/05/2023 22:35

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 🧐😆

I was well info adulthood before I realised the pockets were just tacked closed to keep the shape. I thought I was just buying cheap coats with fake pockets 🫢

SisterMaryLoquacious · 04/05/2023 22:37

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

You know in the way that you know anything else - either someone tells you or you read it somewhere. I count at least five people whose "somewhere" is this thread, so that's a win.

The purpose of the vent is to allow you more freedom of movement - the garment is designed to have it open in use, but the vent is tacked shut for transit. Leaving it in is like leaving the sticker showing your size on the leg of your jeans while you wear it - no one will die, but the intention of the designer is that you take it off.

TempyBrennan · 04/05/2023 22:44

I don’t know if I live under a rock but I’ve never ever ever seen this part of a coat together? Or am I just not seeing nice coats? 😂

pontipinemum · 04/05/2023 22:49

@Luredbyapomegranate beware, sometimes they are fake pockets! I had a cheap blazer and unpicked the pocket only to have unpicked a hole in the jacket.

bunnybunnybunnybunny · 04/05/2023 22:58

YES!! This is something that drives me absolutely potty. I have even been known to offer to do remove the tack.

Had an ex who refused to remove the fabric content label from the cuff of his suit. When we split up, I removed it.

TheOrigRights · 04/05/2023 23:00

We had to make a quick dash to find something to snip DS1's tacks at a wedding last week.
Compared to thinking we'd left DS2's trousers at home this was nothing. They had fallen off the hanger walking from the car to the bedroom, and spent the night hanging on a fence Grin

LittleBearPad · 04/05/2023 23:00

bunnybunnybunnybunny · 04/05/2023 22:58

YES!! This is something that drives me absolutely potty. I have even been known to offer to do remove the tack.

Had an ex who refused to remove the fabric content label from the cuff of his suit. When we split up, I removed it.

But that did him a favour. He stopped looking like an idiot

HyggeTygge · 04/05/2023 23:05

Genuinely had to double-check the name and date on the OP because it's exactly what I moan about all the time! Think I might have even started a similar one some years ago!

ChocChipHandbag · 04/05/2023 23:08

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.

Ha ha ha ha ha bless you. They are scared rigid of the mad lady with a blade and will do ANYTHING just to make you go away.

ODFOx · 04/05/2023 23:09

YANBU except.....
DD bought a cheap coat and when I snipped the pockets open there was no pocket there. Apparently having things sewn up as if properly made is a thing for fast fashion; so resist the urge to snip or the clothes may fall off the buyers of cheap clothes as they walk along ....

BatshitCrazyWoman · 04/05/2023 23:11

Oh it irritates me too. And the hanger ribbons are even worse! My clothes don't fall off the hanger even though I snip these out.

But you wouldn't know if someone hadn't told you - so I suppose this thread has been of service.

AngelineGarcia · 04/05/2023 23:17

At a friend’s wedding last year, the groom not only had a stitch in the vent of his blazer, but also the cuffs. Bright red thread Xs on a blue blazer. I couldn’t tell him.

saltinesandcoffeecups · 04/05/2023 23:33

I was out at a bar with my DH and friends, one of our friends still had the “100% wool” tag on the arm/cuff of his coat. My DH wordlessly took out his pocket knife (settle down they are legal where I live) and cut it off.

Obviously his friend was a bit startled and then laughed that he and his GF had a debate on if they were supposed to remove it or not. It then started a whole bar debate on tags, tacks, and other fashion faux pas. People wandering up to the bar were very confused about the subject matter until they got dragged into the debate.

I think a lot of useful information was exchanged that night🤣

angelikacpickles · 05/05/2023 00:36

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.

Like this - http://abovetheankles.co.uk/blog/tips/removethelabel/

Remove The Label – Above The Ankles

http://abovetheankles.co.uk/blog/tips/removethelabel

DiscoBeat · 05/05/2023 00:42

I can understand not liking them on your own clothing but genuinely don't understand why other peoples' bother you!

EBearhug · 05/05/2023 00:52

Went suit buying with a friend today. First thing I did back at his house was open the pockets and remove the vent tacks at the back. They're in completely contrasting thread, and look like tacking stitches, but I suppose not everyone is taught to sew these days.

We had already discussed it as he bought it, in the technical terms of, "I need the flappy bits at the back to flap."

Men's suits have so many pockets inside and out. I have pocket envy.

viques · 05/05/2023 00:57

I usually cut out labels because they are often made of really itchy stiff fabric(why manufacturers, why?) I also cut off hanger loops because my hangers dont need them, but I never unstitch the tops of pockets, because that would be wrong, very wrong,

AppleDumplingWithCustard · 05/05/2023 01:11

In my smart, tailored clothes I like to keep my pockets sewn up as they hold the shape of the coat/jacket. I never put anything in the pockets anyway as imo filled pockets look awful. Casual coats/jackets I’m happy to stuff keys, gloves etc in pockets.

Sugarfree23 · 05/05/2023 01:23

Somehow I've only noticed tailors tacks in the last 10 years or so. I never know if I should say to someone or not.

To the posters to carry knives, scissors, nail clipper- were you all be prepared girl guides - and do you carry safety pins??

A few years ago walking into a wedding, a random guy runs up taps me on the shoulder, Do you know you have a tag on your dress? Nope I didn't know I had a mammoth tag on my bum. DH ended up biting it off with his teeth. 🫢🫣😳
So as wedding season approaches please check you don't have a mammoth tag that says non-returnable if removed.

cantwaittocruise · 05/05/2023 01:33

I noticed one the other day and couldn’t stop looking at it. This stylish lady strutting along in her trench coat with that weird keyhole thing going on at the back!

electriclight · 05/05/2023 01:35

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

I don't suppose it is a big deal really. It just catches the eye because it's 'wrong' like seeing someone with the price label hanging off their outfit. Instead of the vent sort of flapping freely, giving the wearer freedom of movement, which is obviously why the vent is there in the first place, it is tacked closed at the bottom so looks weird when they are walking. I can see how it can happen by accident as you can't see your own back.

HappiDaze · 05/05/2023 01:35

I had no idea this was a thing re blazer vents and sewn up pockets

HappiDaze · 05/05/2023 01:37

I 100% would want someone to let me know this was a thing if they saw me on the tube or work etc with the tack in place