tabs under the lapel, what do they do?

[meauounji]

Just curious, you know those shell fabric tabs that fold under the suit/sportcoat collar at the notch? What do they do? I know it's a detail that only shows up on really high end jackets, but I've never understood why it's there other than to distinguish the fact that it's high end.

 

[unpainted huffheinz]

It is a way to further attach the suit fabric to the collar felt. I think it may stem more from tradition than being a superior method of making a collar, but it is also one area where hand stitching is usually found.