The common mistake shoppers make when buying a new coat: 'It's my biggest pet peeve'

Daily Mail​

01-07-2025

If you've ever bought a new coat and proudly worn it out without cutting the small stitch at the back - this one's for you.
A design expert from The Iconic has gone viral on TikTok for revealing a surprisingly common fashion faux pas committed by thousands of Aussies each winter: failing to snip the stay stitch at the back vent of a coat.
'My pet peeve is a new season coat on with a stay stitch still intact,' she said.
'PSA - these are only here for shipping and packaging purposes and must be cut when you get your new coat.'
The short vertical stitch - usually found on the lower back seam of coats, blazers and even some skirts - is designed to keep the fabric in place during transport and prevent wrinkling.
But it's not meant to be worn.
'The vents are here to allow movement and freedom,' she explained.
'Cut [the stitch] out, pull the strings, and it's perfect. Cut it so you can move freely with your new coat.'
The PSA has sparked a major reaction online, with thousands of Aussies admitting they either didn't know what the stitch was for, or were too nervous to remove it.
'I never knew this, but I always cut it off anyway because I thought it looked stupid on me. I thought I was doing the wrong thing,' one commenter wrote.
'I honestly stopped someone in my office today because she had not undone the stitch at the back of her new coat. It legit kills me when I see it on a suit,' said another.
It seems men are the biggest culprits, with multiple women sharing that they had to unpick the back vents of suit jackets for their boyfriends, brothers, or wedding guests.
'I had to do this for THREE male guests at a destination wedding. Like, come on lads - you don't have to worry about heels or makeup. At least cut the thread off your jacket!' one woman wrote.
Another added: 'If you have any men in your life, help them out too. They seem to be the worst offenders.'
Aussie fashion lovers on Reddit agree.
One user posted: 'Looks a bit silly walking around with a calf keyhole.'
Some are now calling for coat manufacturers to make the stay stitch more obvious, suggesting a brighter thread colour or a small note attached to the garment
Another joked: 'My mum and I actually make a game of this when we're out together: how many coats can we spot with the stitch still there.'
Others said the problem isn't limited to coats.
One woman recalled walking behind someone in a stunning long camel-coloured skirt - only to realise the back slit was still sewn shut.
'I wanted to tell her about it, but then doubted myself,' she wrote.
Some are now calling for coat manufacturers to make the stay stitch more obvious, suggesting a brighter thread colour or a small note attached to the garment.
'They almost need to make it fluorescent or add a tag that says 'please remove before wearing',' one user suggested.
Until then, fashionistas are urging each other to spread the word - and snip the stitch.