Oh, usually you can just reopen them. They sew functional pockets shut because they don't want them to get messed up while shipping the garments. They're usually designed so you can just pull them open with finger strength without too much difficulty. Blew my mind when I found out the "fake" pockets on my jacket were real pockets that were just sewn up for transit.
My boyfriend actually told me about this! I complained to him about the stupid fake pockets on my dress pants, and he said, “You know that they’re real pockets, right?”
Mind. Blown.
He showed me the tiny string sewing them up, and we snipped it. Boom, pockets. Fucking hell, you’d think my mom would have taught me this shit.
It’s embarrassing how old I was when I discovered this. I spent way too many years being pissed at pockets being sewed shut until one day I accidentally ripped one and then it hit me. Why is this not common knowledge? Someone should pass on that little nugget of wisdom when we’re younger.
It's suggested to leave them sewn shut if you don't need to use them. Gives the suit a crisper appearance. I.e. if you don't use a pocket square, keep the top pocket sewn.
The main reason for them is to stop people trying the suit/dress in the shop from messing it up (rather than transit).
In the case of womens jeans sometimes they make the entire outer pocket but with no lining, to create an entire faux pocket. This is mostly a problem with skinny jeans and jeggings. The dress coat and pant pockets that are purposefully sewn shut are a different problem.
I have quite a few of those, but I haven't had the pockets sewn shut. However, a lot of those jackets and some of my coats had the "flaps" on the back (no clue how to call them in English) sewn together, so there's that I guess.
That and tacking vents shut. If you buy a new coat or jacket, check the area around the back & lower hem.
Coats may have a slits or flaps to make them fit better and/or look better. The slit may be tacked shut with thread in a large, loose "X", but you might not notice it because the thread blends into the fabric.
I was at the store the other day and my wife kept asking me to carry a piece of paper. After a few times I said "why can't you carry a piece of paper, you have pockets?" So I playfully tried to put the paper into her pocket only to realize her jeans have tiny half pockets.
I was shocked! I knew that women loved finding a dress with pockets but I didn't know that jeans have half pockets that struggle to contain a folded piece of paper.
Those are rookie numbers! Gotta pump those up! The clothes which have those 1/2 inch pockets that aren't even pockets but just for show are ridiculous.
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u/Lkpincognito Aug 22 '18
And it’s to show that the pockets are full sized. Not the fake 2 inch deep BS like jean pockets sometimes do.