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Nonsensical garment features

April

Veteran

Is there a feature in garments that seems pointless or nonsensical to you?

One that always seems silly to me is that "breathable cotton panel" trumpeted by hosiery makers (we all know the one). Yes, it's cotton - cotton that then gets covered in nylon, lycra, or whatever highly non-breathable synthetic the tights are made of.

Am I just overly peevish about these panels? Is there another feature that makes you go, hmmm...?

General

45 replies

Latest reply was from April

LJP

Veteran

Do you mean a cotton gusset ? I’ve never seen one covered by anything ….

Sally

Veteran

I find a lot of extra detailing a bit of a waste like extra tassles etc but that's just because I prefer things simple.
Also I"m sure there is a reason they are sewn shut but I always have to cut my jacket (and sometimes pants') pockets before I can use them.

em

@Sally...They are sewn shut so that they don't get caught on anything in transit and tear off.

Vildy

Veteran

Well, epaulets. Who's actually using them?
The usual buttons on a sleeve end, that are just sewn there.
The fringed piece on loafers or other shoes. I suppose it's charming but what's the point?

Sal

Veteran

The coin jeans pocket - it's not that useful to me?

There are few embellishments that are only for appearances - but I vote to keep ribbon trims on hats and buttons on the sleeves of blazers (that are only decorative).

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Well I am not sure decorative counts as nonsensical. I don't really understand how those hanging loops that I cut out of my garments ever helped them stay on the hanger in the first place.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

This is interesting -- you really learn about a person's style preferences as well as their storage situation/ type of hanger etc. from this simple question!

Sally, I think some people will say the reason those pockets are sewn shut is because some people (with larger hips or thighs) will leave them that way, otherwise they will gape, which people don't always like the look of. I'm sure em's right as well -- it keeps things neat and tidy -- like the way they sew the vent on a jacket or coat closed...

Me, I like epaulets (useless though they may be) and like the tassels on loafers, but find most ruffles and frills nonsensical! (I mean on myself. I like them on others!)

More seriously, I have often wondered about the gusset on pantyhose. But I guess it helps a little bit? I don't know...I mean, the nylon has some holes itself, so...and I suppose it is good for people who go without underpants? (This is not me, by the way...)

For me, the only things I really get irked about are what seem to me seasonally confused features (like cold shoulder sweaters). But having now lived in different climates I have come to understand that what is seasonally confused in one place might be perfectly appropriate in another, so I bite my tongue.

ophelia

Veteran

Yes those gussets are backed w/ nylon, at least mine are. Same w/ nylon undies. I guess it helps a little to have cotton next to the skin?

April

Veteran

LJP - the cotton panel at the crotch of tights (not all tights, some omit it entirely) but when it's there, it's not like a window of breathable fabric, because it's sewn into the non-breathable nylon or whatever that the tights are made of. I suppose if the tights themselves are cotton it makes some sense.

LJP

Veteran

Ok - just not sure I understood . I’ve never noticed that the cotton is only on the inside - oops . I don’t know , it’s never crossed my mind as any kind of issue ;). And isn’t it there so you *don’t* have to wear underwear with them ?

Anonymous

What about the extra flap on the upper back of trench coats? Is it just clutter or does it have a purpose?

Never thought about the pantyhose issue- til now!

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

oh my gosh I have so many peeves like this. Once I bought a pair of jeans that were marketed as "sailor jeans" with those lines of buttons up the sides of the front (along the hip bones, you know what I mean?). But they ALSO HAD A ZIP FLY. Whyyyyyy? You need one or the other not both! The whole front area was so bulky and stupid looking. Of course they were not returnable, grrrrr....

phoebe

Pockets at the bust on women's shirts. Decorative maybe but not really useable.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

@suntiger isn't that a stormflap (as opposed to a gunflap)? Guess the yoke also helps with movement across the shoulders too?

My pet peeve is not clearly marking which pockets are sewn shut VS which are purely decorative. Only way to find out is to ruin the lining, lol

(Basically I wish they did with pockets what they do with sewn shut vents, where they mark it with a hugely obnoxious X in a different colour of thread altogether).

Suz

(website)

Veteran

That flap on a trench keeps some of the rain off the body. First, it's a second layer; second some of the wet would flow off it, like a evestrough on a roof.

rachylou

Veteran

I feel that way about a lot of ruffled garments. I’m a big ruffle wearer, but the ruffle tacked on in the middle of the garment, I don’t get. I get ruffling an edge, but not the ‘appliqué’ ruffle.

Olive Green

Veteran

Flappy ties of any kind get cut off. So capris with a drawstring on the cuffs are knotted off and trimmed, as well as those rolled sleeve tabs. Nothing dangling will survive.

April

Veteran

Thanks to all my fellow peevish folk for these observations.

Some reactions:

JK - if I had to unbutton sailor jeans, I would never ever wear them. I can only guess they went for convenience with the zipper, but I can see how it would add a lot of bulk.

LJP - not sure about the actual purpose of the cotton gusset (thanks for the correct word!) but I do find that multiple waistbands and all the layers that accumulate around your midsection when you're dressing for cold weather is unpleasant.

When I was working, I remember days when there were underdrawers, tights, a skirt, the base of a long stretchy camisole, a HeatTech, and then whatever was on top. Too much!

Sally, Zaeobi and others suggesting sewn-pocket reform: I had this issue yesterday, when I wore this jacket. The flaps appear to be merely decorative, but I'm not sure.

This is probably less about clothing than about online retail photography, but I intensely dislike when a garment is only shown with the sleeves pushed up to the elbows. Retailers usually tell you the sleeve length in the text, but not always.

The second one I object to is when a garment's color is given a less-than-clear name. Midnight - is it black or very deep blue? Fog - you'd think that would mean gray, but sometimes it's a pale silvery lavender.

I love how Uniqlo does this (or used to) - if they have 6 different green Heattechs, each one is just labeled "green."

Anonymous

Yes Phoebe re: chest pockets. Instant dealbreaker for me!

Gotcha re: trench flaps. I thought that could be the case, but it looks odd to me. These are the same sort of coats which often have no hood, which to me defeats the entire purpose of having a raincoat.
@April the retail photography seems purposely deceptive. I notice it a lot on Amazon, with models holding coffee cups or whatnot, standing in odd positions, and a Lot of photoshop.

kkards

Veteran

As someone who’s spent time working in retail distribution centers and in back rooms of stores, these hanger loops really do work.

Honestly I’m more peeved by the things that are missing than the things that are there, most of which we have talked about here.

Ginger

Veteran

I like epaulets. They help keep my shoulder bag strap on my shoulder even without buttoning it over. (Which I did see done in a WWII-made movie.)

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I kinda like epaulets because I often feel my shoulders can use a little more emphasis.

Coin pockets on jeans, yeah, LOL. Pretty much a traditional touch that is useless in practicality.

I immediately cut out those hanging loops. Nothing quite like putting on a nice dress and realizing the stupid loops are hanging out the armhole. My clothes stay on hangers without them just fine.

A few days ago I wore an old blouse (10+ years old) that had those rolled sleeve tabs hanging down inside the sleeves, which I never roll and secure with those tabs. I set the top aside to cut the tabs out of next time I have mending to do!

I’m annoyed by large labels sewn into the hems of nice scarves. I don’t want a big label hanging out of my scarf, even if it’s designer. I have to spend a little careful time with the seam ripper to get those out.

Built-in bras in sporty casual dresses — I’m looking at you, TitleNine. Maybe this works for smaller-busted ladies, but even at my skinniest, they never worked for me to any significant degree. And now the idea is just laughable. Can’t they make a version without the built-in so-called bra too??

ChristelJ

Veteran

Olive green reminded me of the bulky drawstring ties at the waists of sweatpants. They create lumpy areas under tops, and many of them don't actually gather the fabric anyway, because elastic does that. I don't ever tuck tops into sweatpants, does anybody?

CarolS

Veteran

I have been half-tucking sweaters into sweatpants lately, and after years of despising the bulky tie, have come to appreciate it. Go figure!

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Wearing a sweatshirt tucked into sweatpants right now - it keeps in the warmth

Granted it's a smoothly elasticated waistband - I tend to take the drawstrings out of all my elasticated waistbands (like on the skirt shown). Can't yet decide what to do with the leftover ties though...

@Janet @Olive
I love those rolled sleeves tabs but can never seem to find them - please send all your bad luck this way instead, lol! They're great for practical yet covered summer clothing - & for washing up dishes in a pinch

@ginger
I had no idea that was what epaulettes were supposed to be for - how practical!

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unfrumped

Veteran

I think too many boots have pull tabs that aren’t needed when boots have zip or laces or both. The tabs interfere with pant hems. I think I can cut some off but sometimes is an issue.

Tops with side vents that are very long and if go above waist.

Stealth cut- outs in the backs of tops. I’ll see something that looks great on the rack , but pull it out and go, whaaaat?

Elastic waist skirts without a side zip or enough stretch for my waist- hip ratio.

Pants with belt loops only on front so that belt slide up in back. Yes, I can try to go find some matching cord or something at JoAnn’s to sew a back loop, but, really.

Dee

Veteran

I’ve never really liked those sleeves with the thumb holes in them. I mean, I get why they’re there, but I don’t use them except for the ones built into my ski jacket, most of the time those type of sleeves just get pushed up.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I love thumb holes in sleeves! I do use them, it’s like a built in fingerless glove when it’s cool but not cold enough for full gloves.

I also love side vents in tops — the only way a lot of tops will fit over my wide hips.

Jules

Veteran

The ‘coin pocket’ on jeans is perfect for a ‘cotton bullet’, aka applicator free tampon!

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