We've all been at a nice clothing store, trying on a comfortable and appealing suit, we go to pop our hands in the pockets casually and... denied! While it might be a frustrating process, it turns out that there's a very good reason why suit pockets are sewn up when you buy them.

Buying Corporate Branded Suits

We all love buying our custom business suits with that refined, tailored look. That's where the sewn pockets come in. If people were to stretch out the pockets on these garments by placing their hands in them or similar, the overall look of the suit would distort. Rather than having that nicely tailored appearance, the suit would seem slightly stretched and potentially a bit lopsided. This is why premium suit jackets and slacks tend to sew shut pockets for retail sale -- it eliminates the possibility that someone could get in there and alter the jacket style and shape before purchase.

But always be careful to double check your sewn pockets before unpicking them! Some suits (especially women's) may have false pockets in slacks or jackets. These give the appearance of a pocket without actually having the material there -- if you were to unpick one of these you'd just end up with a hole! How can you be sure your pocket is a real one (albeit sewn shut)? Check to see if you can pull the thread gently to remove it. Although real pockets come sewn up, the sewing is a lighter single thread stitch that can be quickly pulled out or removed once you're out of the store. If you're ever unsure about the status of a pocket, ask your salesperson or tailor for more information.

First spotted here: https://www.businessinsider.com.au/why-suit-pockets-sewn-shut-pants-slacks-jackets-2017-11