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Original poster

Coats - settle a disagreement for me!

73 replies

fluffypigs · 05/01/2017 17:01

Hi everyone, I hope you can help me settle a long running disagreement. You know when you buy a new coat and the pleat/opening whatever it's called at the back is sewn together with a stitch, you're meant to unpick that right? I see so many people with the stitch still in and it looks odd to me, but my friend is adamant that's supposed to stay. Am I making sense?

Don't even get me started on those 'with cashmere' labels people sometimes leave sewn on the sleeves. Wink

Thanks!

OP posts:
MontanaSkies · 05/01/2017 17:06

Yes, you're definitely meant to unpick it! It's only there to keep the vent nice and neat before purchase - when it's worn the vent should lie flat but kind of facilitate movement when you walk. See also : pencil skirts.

Fuzzypeggy · 05/01/2017 17:07

Yes, supposed to undo it. I accidentally went out in a new coat recently without cutting the stitch and was hoping no one saw it!

Original poster
fluffypigs · 05/01/2017 17:10

Oh good!! Not just me then. And yes, pencil skirts indeed... Grin

OP posts:
Bluntness100 · 05/01/2017 17:15

Yes, of course uou unpick it, it's just to stop it getting creased or turned up etc, 😃

goinglocomoto · 05/01/2017 17:17

Another one for unpick. Similar to how sometimes the pockets are sewn up - it's a no brainer unless you want to go pocketless

NotTodaySatan · 05/01/2017 17:19

Unpick.

I helped my brother buy his first expensive coats years ago from Ted Baker. He fell out with me for saying he was meant to unpick the pockets and the vent at the back. He thought I was insane and that they're were a style feature of the coat 😂😂.

neveradullmoment99 · 05/01/2017 17:30

Also stitched pockets. Unpick [ making sure they are actually pockets on the inside]

Lonelynessie · 05/01/2017 17:40

yep, unpick.

SweetChickadee · 05/01/2017 17:41

absolutely unpick, yes.

Dulcimena · 05/01/2017 17:43

Why would anyone think it was not meant to be unpicked? Confused

Bubbinsmakesthree · 05/01/2017 18:27

I've just realised I am wearing a coat with a stitch in the vent I haven't unpicked Blush

Also stitched pockets. Unpick [ making sure they are actually pockets on the inside]

This reminds me of being abroad with DH for a wedding - as we were getting ready DH decided to unpick the pockets of his new suit jacket with my nail scissors - unfortunately he unpicked the wrong bit and took the pocket clean off Shock

Deux · 05/01/2017 19:10

OMG. How do people not know this? On a long coat with buttons down the front there is a danger of having to trot along with a short stride if you don't unpick the vent.

I was on holiday once in Dubai and everywhere men hadn't removed the sleeve labels on suit jackets, bizarre.

LockedOutOfMN · 05/01/2017 19:13

Deux Maybe they were planning to return them to the shop after the wedding.

Deux · 05/01/2017 19:13

More info here. thecuttingclass.com/post/3783579995/removable-stitches

Deux · 05/01/2017 19:15

Locked out, it was often sales assistants. It was 15 years ago, mind.

DramaAlpaca · 05/01/2017 19:18

I have to admit I didn't realise this myself until a few years ago recently. I went to a family party wearing a lovely new jacket with the stitch still in place, thinking it was supposed to be.

Two of my SILs admired the jacket, got me to do a twirl, then exclaimed in horror, grabbed me & sorted out the stitch there & then with the kitchen scissors!

Deux · 05/01/2017 19:22

OP, you've identified a world wide irritation. I found a blog post about this and loads of comments from around the world. www.doorsixteen.com/2008/11/14/this-is-a-public-service-announcement/

wowfudge · 05/01/2017 19:25

I once had to advise a young job seeker to unpick the vent and remove the sleeve labels from his obviously new suit jacket. He was trying to do all the right things and was very keen, just needed a couple of pointers.

littlejeopardy · 05/01/2017 19:30

Uh oh! I never knew this and I have a lovely red Monsoon coat with buttons down the front, and I am now thinking there is probably a stitch in the back I have never noticed.... I am going to have to check it once I've got the baby off to sleep.

SilentlyScreamingAgain · 05/01/2017 19:45

The vent needs to be opened so that you can walk but I never unpick the pockets of a new 'good' coat until it's being relegated to an 'old' coat. It stops me putting junk in the pockets and ruining the line.

Doobigetta · 05/01/2017 20:34

I also unpick vents but not pockets- the line of jackets looks much cleaner if the pockets stay flat and unused.

CaraAspen · 05/01/2017 22:33

Yes! You are supposed to take the tacking stitch out!

EmpressoftheMundane · 05/01/2017 22:43

Of course you unpick. I have had to seam rip open my husband's lapel button holes too. Otherwise he'd have no where to put his poppy in November!

Twenty years ago, I remember working with East Asians, they left the sleeve labels on. It was a "thing."

Original poster
fluffypigs · 06/01/2017 06:59

Thanks everyone for your replies and for settling that! And I'm glad it's saved a few of you from stitch-related embarrassment! Wink

I've also seen lots of people with the sleeve labels still on...I'm convinced some people think it's a style feature...

OP posts:
burnishedsilver · 06/01/2017 09:12

Unpick...otherwise what's the purpose of the slit?

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