Gin (99.231.192.196) - Wed May 7 22:55:32 2008

Hi I have a question:

I recently bought a suit and i noticed that the seam under the arm proceeds to a certain point and stops before it reaches the bottom of the suit. This results in "flaps" on the suit. Basically it would look like there are three flaps (the back, and the two sides). THere is a small thread that is thread through the very bottom of the flaps, which connect it such that when you wear the suit andplace your hands in your pants pocket it will look normal, while if the thread was not there, the suit would not really move since your hands are between the flaps. I am unable to describe it clearly, but i was wondering why there are flaps and how it is supposed to look when worn.

Comment #1 Rob Eveleigh from London - Thu May 8 06:45:10 2008

Dear Sir,

You are describing what are known as vents, and in your case a double vent. These originated from a historical combination of splits in the back of jackets when horseracing, giving the centre vent, and a latter British invention, side or double vents, allowing men to put their hands in their side pockets.

When buying suits off-the-peg vents are often stitched together for ease of transport when packed flat, i.e minimising the creasing.

Therefore, you are describing something perfectly normal. Look around at what other guys are wearing and you will see it's quite common.

If I were you I would remove the thread immediately, stitched together vents are not a good look.

Enjoy wearing it!

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