# What;s Up With Leaving Labels on Coat Sleeves?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-leaving-labels-on-coat-sleeves/569029
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [January 26, 2011, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-leaving-labels-on-coat-sleeves/569029 "2011-01-26T06:04:32Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@fumster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fumster)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2011, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-leaving-labels-on-coat-sleeves/569029/1 "2011-01-26T06:04:32Z")
The other day I saw a young, well dressed woman wearing an expensive looking coat that still had the “100% Cashmere” label on the sleeve. The kind that is woven into a ribbon-like material and tacked down on the four corners. I was a bit embarrassed for her so I didn’t mention anything. Then a few days later I saw the same thing on another woman’s coat, and a few days after that, yet another.
Is this a “thing”? It seems very tacky. This was in a hip area of young professionals, not a mall full of people strutting purses with prominent designers’ names on them.
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### Author:  [@CatherineZeta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CatherineZeta)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2011, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-leaving-labels-on-coat-sleeves/569029/2 "2011-01-26T06:08:48Z")
I used to work at a store that left labels like “Made in Italy,” on the coat sleeves. It’s probably just a status symbol, to let people know you can afford expensive fabrics or European garments. I find it tacky as well.
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### Author:  [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2011, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-leaving-labels-on-coat-sleeves/569029/3 "2011-01-26T06:10:03Z")
Were they Asian? Koreans love letting everyone know that their coats are “Handmade” or “100% Wool.”
Otherwise it might just be forgetfulness. I have a label on a new coat of mine that I keep forgetting about until after I leave the house.
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### Author:  [@fumster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fumster)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2011, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-leaving-labels-on-coat-sleeves/569029/4 "2011-01-26T07:19:27Z")
One was Asian now that you mention it.
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### Author:  [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2011, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-leaving-labels-on-coat-sleeves/569029/5 "2011-01-26T07:47:07Z")
I am pretty certain that those labels are supposed to be cut off. It is a faux pas to leave it on.
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### Author:  [@fumster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fumster)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2011, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-leaving-labels-on-coat-sleeves/569029/6 "2011-01-26T08:04:09Z")
> [@nyctea scandiaca](#):
>
> I am pretty certain that those labels are supposed to be cut off. It is a faux pas to leave it on.
That was my reaction as well, but pants are also supposed to fit and bra straps aren’t supposed to show and both of those now seem to be fashionable.
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### Author:  [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2011, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-leaving-labels-on-coat-sleeves/569029/7 "2011-01-26T08:12:57Z")
Maybe they were planning on returning them?
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### Author:  [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2011, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-leaving-labels-on-coat-sleeves/569029/8 "2011-01-26T08:39:16Z")
I also saw this a lot in Asia.
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### Author:  [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2011, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-leaving-labels-on-coat-sleeves/569029/9 "2011-01-26T13:57:41Z")
> [@sh1bu1](#):
>
> That was my reaction as well, but pants are also supposed to fit and bra straps aren’t supposed to show and both of those now seem to be fashionable.
:p:p
The thing is, one needs a thread cutter or very small pointy scissors to snip the threads without cutting a hole in the fabric, Why the 'ell do they sew those labels in place. My sweaters (bought two, in different colors) have the makers label sewn on the outside lower right hip area. It’s tacked in there pretty tight, and I would hate to rip a hole in it.
I would definitely snip off a content label if its stuck on the sleeve -
Why do clothes manufacturers do those weird annoying little things, like package a oxford shirt with 19 pins, 7 cardboard inserts, 11 stickers, tucked in a fabric ribbon and heatsealed in plastic?
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### Author:  [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2011, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-leaving-labels-on-coat-sleeves/569029/10 "2011-01-26T14:05:57Z")
I had such a label on the last coat I bought, and it was sewed so tightly it was a bitch to remove. When I realized how difficult it was going to be, I did wonder if I was supposed to just leave it there, but I eventually got it.
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### Author:  [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2011, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-leaving-labels-on-coat-sleeves/569029/11 "2011-01-26T14:19:33Z")
I’ve seen that on young men wearing what appears to be their very first suit. The impression was they didn’t realize it was supposed to be removed. It’d be tacky if they knew better, which I suspect they didn’t.
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### Author:  [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2011, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-leaving-labels-on-coat-sleeves/569029/12 "2011-01-26T14:27:34Z")
> [@corkboard](#):
>
> I’ve seen that on young men wearing what appears to be their very first suit. The impression was they didn’t realize it was supposed to be removed. It’d be tacky if they knew better, which I suspect they didn’t.
I have to wonder where they bought it from that didn’t remove it for them 😕
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### Author:  [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2011, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-leaving-labels-on-coat-sleeves/569029/13 "2011-01-26T14:29:16Z")
> [@Alessan](#):
>
> Maybe they were planning on returning them?
Were the pockets still sewn shut?
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### Author:  [@Ronald\_C.Semone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ronald_C.Semone)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2011, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-leaving-labels-on-coat-sleeves/569029/14 "2011-01-26T14:35:44Z")
> [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](#):
>
> Were the pockets still sewn shut?
That raises a good question: Why are the pockets on mens suits sewn shut?
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### Author:  [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2011, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-leaving-labels-on-coat-sleeves/569029/15 "2011-01-26T14:38:29Z")
According to [Men’s Warehouse](http://www.menswearhouse.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ContentAttachmentView_-1_10601_10051__10715_10709_WhyArePocketsSewnShut.html) (and they ought to know)
> [@](#):
>
> Many pockets are routinely sealed prior to shipment from the manufacturer. Its done to facilitate the easiest pressing possible on the finished coat, as well as keep the jacket looking its best when it’s on display in the store. It also discourages customers from putting their hands in the pockets when they try on the garment which prevents damage.
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### Author:  [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2011, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-leaving-labels-on-coat-sleeves/569029/16 "2011-01-26T14:39:10Z")
> [@Ronald\_C.Semone](#):
>
> That raises a good question: Why are the pockets on mens suits sewn shut?
So they lie flat and don’t deform during shipping.
Same with skirt slits.
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### Author:  [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2011, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-leaving-labels-on-coat-sleeves/569029/17 "2011-01-26T14:39:35Z")
I think it’s intentional. It’s the same as leaving the decals on baseball caps. Status. Screaming “look at me and the nice things I can buy”.
[Maybe we should do something like this for them.](http://www.flipflopflyin.com/flipflopflyball/info-stickerremoval.png)
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### Author:  [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2011, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-leaving-labels-on-coat-sleeves/569029/18 "2011-01-26T15:11:55Z")
I bought a pea coat from Burlington Coat Factory that had such a label on the sleeve (it was the designer’s name, Tommy Hilfiger or something) and I was honestly ignorant of the “fact” that you’re supposed to take it off. I live in the Midwest and I bought the coat at Burlington!
But, it just looked plain weird - a white label on a navy blue coat - so I set to taking it off myself. Except I only got as far as taking the label off and not digging the threads out.
So now I have a nice navy coat with two little white thread knots sticking out of the sleeve. I don’t wear the coat that much (it’s a dog hair magnet!) but every time I do I’m all “Goddamn these little white knots! I need to take them out!” but I never get the chance.
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### Author:  [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2011, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-leaving-labels-on-coat-sleeves/569029/19 "2011-01-26T18:58:33Z")
> [@bouv](#):
>
> I have to wonder where they bought it from that didn’t remove it for them 😕
I’ve bought many suits in my life and no retailer has ever removed the tag. Sometimes I remove them myself when I get home, and sometimes I let the tailor remove them.
On the pockets-sewn-shut thing, I always thought it was to prevent the five finger discount.
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### Author:  [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)
#### Post date: [January 27, 2011, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-leaving-labels-on-coat-sleeves/569029/20 "2011-01-27T05:01:48Z")
I was thinking about starting a thread on this very topic the other day! Sleeve tags, pockets still sewn shut, and my personal favorite…the vent on the back of a coat still tacked shut with a big X of thread. I have seen kick pleats on the back of straight skirts still tacked shut, and even the bottoms of the pleats on a fully pleated skirt tacked down (with loose threads everywhere).
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