new suit!!

[cheyenne]

havent got a clue what category this should be in,ive just bought a new suit for a wedding and it is the second suit in as many years where all the pockets are sown up?yes you can take the stitches out,but why do the makers do this?

[tomd]

A long time ago my mother told me it was to stop you putting things in the pockets and distorting the hang of the suit. You can take them out, I always put things in my trouser pockets instead, but in my line of work I rarely wear a suit. Pockets were sewn up on the old funeral suit though.

[stoo_pid]

A friend in retail reckons it to stop people putting things in pockets in the shop and not paying for them.  I was never convinced but they insisted!

[thewillow]

I also remember being told that it started back in the 70s when there was a lot of terrorism in Europe, IRA, Bader Meinhof, etc.  It was to stop people putting explosive devices in the pockets.  I don't believe that though ... Seems a bit simplistic.

[cheyenne]

do you know what thewillow,that rings a bell ,but i cant quite remember why?

[rinkytink]

As tomd suggests, it is to prevent the distortion of the hang of the garment. But not by the purchaser of the garment but rather by those who are trying it on in the shop. Basically it is to prevent damage to those areas before the garment is purchased.

[Oneeyedvic]

It is to stop you using the pockets, but not just in the shop - all the time. A good suit will cost a lot of money - do not ruin the look / cut by putting things in the pocket.

[Newt]

Hi Vinny, I agree with Rinkytink that the stitching is to help the garment retain it's shape while in the shop and during try on's. You are supposed to cut the threads that keep the pockets closed after you purchase the suit.