# Sewing Closed Pockets of A Coat **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 1, 2001, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sewing-closed-pockets-of-a-coat/79323 "2001-09-01T19:17:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2001, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sewing-closed-pockets-of-a-coat/79323/1 "2001-09-01T19:17:40Z")
I have a Blazer which has its side pockets sewn shut. I seem to remember that it was so that the clothing could be claimed as a business expense, but my poor addled brain cannot recall the logic of this! Can y’all help? Thanks Quasi ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2001, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sewing-closed-pockets-of-a-coat/79323/2 "2001-09-01T19:47:26Z")
I believe that the manufacturers “tack” the pockets closed using a wide, intermittent stich, so that the pockets don’t fall open and get deformed before you buy the jacket. Once you get it home, you are expected to cut the threads and use the pockets. ---
**Author:** ![Sultan\_Kinkari](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7bcc69/32.png) [@Sultan\_Kinkari](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sultan_Kinkari)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2001, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sewing-closed-pockets-of-a-coat/79323/3 "2001-09-01T19:56:41Z")
When I fished in Alaska I could claim almost every purchase I made as a business expense because I lived on a boat and was always working. This included all clothing, boots, raingear, knives, etc, but I think it might be a law particular to Alaska. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2001, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sewing-closed-pockets-of-a-coat/79323/4 "2001-09-01T21:13:37Z")
I _hate_ it when this happens! I just remembered that it’s _actors_ who were able to claim a coat with the pockets sewn shut as a business expense, since ostensibly they only use the coat as a prop. Anyone concur with this? Sorry! This is what happens when you get to be my age! (Takes a while to engage those “little grey cells”, in the words of Hercule Poirot.) Thanks Quasi PS: EJ’s girl’s answer is the one which pertains to my blazer, however! Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![postcards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8e8cbc/32.png) [@postcards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/postcards)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2001, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sewing-closed-pockets-of-a-coat/79323/5 "2001-09-02T22:23:18Z")
…She claimed it was so kids like me (and the adults we became) wouldn’t ruin the lines of our suits with unsightly bulges from our keys, our cigarets, paperback books, etc. My wife STILL won’t let me cut the pockets open. The result being, when we go somewhere even semi-formal **she** gets to carry my wallet, keys, etc in her clutch. (Aside) Mom used to point out Johnny Carson doing his monologe, always trying to slip his hands into his jacket pockets, and sliding them down his sides. For a performer it forces you to find something to do with your hand, which was always my biggest obstacle. (/Aside) ---
**Author:** ![Anachronism](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@Anachronism](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anachronism)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2001, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sewing-closed-pockets-of-a-coat/79323/6 "2001-09-03T00:32:22Z")
I used to work in a clothing store, most of the coats came with the pockets ‘tacked’ shut. It was part of my job to make sure the pockets were untacked before the customer picked them up. If you start at one end, you can usually open them by hand very easily. I believe **EJsGirl** is right about the reason, so they don’t get crushed before someone buys it, probably more of a problem in a factory or store where they are being moved around and shipped in bulk.