Hands in jacket side pockets

[Celadon]

In another thread a question is asked about whether to remove stitches from the breast pocket of a jacket. Some people there and elsewhere have claimed that the side pockets should be left stitched close (as they usually are on RTW jackets) and never used.

What would the Duke of Windsor (sometime Prince of Wales and King Edward VIII) say about this?





What about Gianni Agnelli?




Or Luciano Barbera?

 

[Celadon]

The current Prince of Wales?

 

[Celadon]

The Duke of Edinburgh as a young man with one hand in the side pocket of a nice tweed jacket



The Duke of Edinburgh and his son, both using jacket pockets for hand storage.

 

[clotheshorse69]

I could only envision someone doing it to keep his hands warm. Otherwise, an eccentric millionaire whom doesn't have to answer to anyone?

I have seen sport coats with side openings under the patched pockets (so the hands go behind the patches).

 

[Celadon]

I could only envision someone doing it to keep his hands warm. Otherwise, an eccentric millionaire whom doesn't have to answer to anyone?

I have seen sport coats with side openings under the patched pockets (so the hands go behind the patches).

"Who doesn't have to answer to anyone" - but who would object? I can't imagine a situation where somebody would come up to me and tell me to take my hands out of my jacket pockets.

 

[kasakka]

If they were not meant to be used why have pockets at all. Keep your hands in them or store something.

 

[GBR]

They are there to be used. This baste stitching first appeared in the days when protesters for this cause or that used to put incendiary devices in them in shops. Then it became a norm to show them better.

Just remove it and use them as you will.

 

[Mr Knightley]

Man 1924

 

[RDiaz]

I close them with staples after buying, because that weak white thread is not resistant enough. Also, my custom jackets have a Velcro lining that keeps them fixed to flannel shirts; I can therefore raise my arms without the jacket riding up.

Seriously, who said you should leave the pockets closed?

 

[Celadon]

I close them with staples after buying, because that weak white thread is not resistant enough. Also, my custom jackets have a Velcro lining that keeps them fixed to flannel shirts; I can therefore raise my arms without the jacket riding up.

Seriously, who said you should leave the pockets closed?

The start of this thread was influenced by the one linked below:

http://www.styleforum.net/t/440067/...-suit-jacket-pocket-that-is-the-question/0_40

Some quotes from another, older thread:

Whenever buying a new suit or jacket, I have always left the side outside pockets sewn shut. I'd never use them as it seems to destroy the lines of the jacket, so I figured that leaving them shut would make it so that I wasn't tempted.

I recently purchased a new blazer, and when I went back to pick it up after alterations I found that the salesperson had opened up the pockets, presumably doing me a favour. He seemed quite offended when I asked him to sew them up again, saying that this was the first time he's heard the complaint.

Now of course I'm paying attention to the pockets on other people's jackets! Is this just a new salesperson or am I the only one?

I always have my breast pocket cut so i can wear a pocket square, but never the 2 bottom ones.

I keep mine sewn shut. Anything I need to carry goes into the inner pockets.

Relevant quotes from another old thread:

Flusser discusses pocket flaps in his books and does consider them for more informal suits. No big news but the funny part is that he seems to be quite self concious about his hips as he repeatadly warns readers that this can widen your hips Â

Although I seldom open my pokets nowdays it irritates me not to be able to use them. I think it's a sign of style to use them without actually stuffing them but for that, you have to have enough money not to worry too much about damaging your suit. Look at the champs of style - one invariably sees photographs of them with their hands in their pokcets. These men are not afraid to use them. B

(Indeed!)

I do not like flaps. Not my taste. I like clean tux style. It was 90s style however, I think its more classier .. just my opinion... Also, my tailor told me, one should never open jacket pocket nor use them as they tend to get streched. All of my suit jacket pockets are sewed.

 

[Celadon]

Bryan Ferry

 

[scurvyfreedman]

People ask me why I wear a pocket square. I respond, why do you have a pocket if not to use it as a pocket; maybe you should buy your suits without a breast pocket.

The same goes for hip pockets. I carry my sunglasses case in my hip pocket, or put my hands in them when standing sometimes, and most frequently my iPhone. I'm really not sure why you would intentionally look like someone who hasn't prepared the jacket for wear. I mean, why not keep the tag on the sleeve and the basting on the rear vents too? Maybe even keep the price tags on or the security alarm.