I was looking at one of Eric’s jackets the other day and noticed an interesting feature. Here is the view of the inside front lining. Do you see the piped seam at the lower hip? If you’re anything like me, you probably think for a moment and wonder why they made it like that.
As you can see below, the piped seam runs all the way around the inside lining.
Here’s the question. Do you know why the lining was seamed in this manner? Was it decorative? Functional? A combination of both?
Here’s a few hints.
- Price points: I don’t remember what we paid for the jacket but it would matter (that’s a hint). Why would price points matter beyond the obvious?
- Market: It is not a high fashion item but a staple. I’m guessing the target consumer is over 50. Why would that matter?
I came up with my own ideas of course. I think it’s a neat little feature but wonder how many consumers these days would know what it was or take advantage of the feature as I imagine it was intended. Here’s a front view of the jacket if you think you need that.
Post your ideas please. I’m interested to see what you’ll come up with. Sewing that front piped curve was no picnic.
Hmmm, I think it looks as if it has something to do with how jacket meets the pants top, and perhaps to do with the pocket due to the evil curve. Could it be that it is to keep the jacket weighted down so that when you raise up the side to use your pant pocket, you don’t get a breeze up your back?
mmm- odd, having a little experience with a collegue who has an indian background, and has introduced me to the indian tailoring concept of multiple hidden pockets both on the outside and the indside of jackets. A foil for pickpockets and such in markets, money stashed in many many locations o its easy to turn out some empty pockets and say – the price i just can not pay, while leaving more hidden pockets with valuables left unturned. – I’m thinking secret inside pockets for travellers?
I think it’s for added ease assuming that the market is over 50 and they sit down more. Also more economical cutting it like that so the ease starts not from the centre front, I think… (???)
Is it to support the weight of the pocket bag and the pocket contents?
It looks to me like you could let the piped seam sit on the waist when your hands are in the pockets, so you can let your hips support the weight of your hands instead of your shoulders. The piping would give added stability to that seam.
Heres another thought, does the pocketbag extend all the way across the back of the jacket?? I can’t quite imagine what you would put in such an oddly shaped pocket, maybe tuck your umbrella into the small of your back? The purpose of the piping could be to draw attention to this special pocket.
I really am guessing (and quite curious!), but could it be a provision for replacement of that section of lining as it wears/tears over time>
Does that section have extra insulation? Could it be a “kidney warmer”? Just a wild guess. I remember having a Patagonia jacket years ago that claimed to keep the kidney area extra warm.
Piping provides strength to a seam that takes a lot of stress and stabilizes an edge that is apt to stretch out of shape. But the only thing I can think of where that would be needed in a jacket waistline isn’t very likely.
Still, there ARE people making special clothing for concealed carry permit holders. A piped, interior seam at the waistline that way would discreetly hold the jacket fabric away from the body and minimize the chance that the gun butt would print as the wearer moved.
Can’t wait to find out the real reason.
I have though about this a lot and I think the bias to keep the jacket close to the body. The bias makes a little place to catch onto whatever clothing that the wearer has on under the jacket–and that’s why the bias has a curve–it holds the jacket close to the body even when the jacket is open–and “catches” on possibly belt-loops or other seams on the side. So the jacket always looks nice. Otherwise with the slippery lining the jacket would just slide around on the body when the wearer moves. That would be a price point draw, especially for older people like me who hate to shop and want to keep things forever but like nice clothes and clothing that looks nice. I think if it were a way to replace the lining it would be straight across as the points where the lining meets the facings at the bottom front is prime for wearing out–although of course it depends on the person.
It’s sort of like those strap things they put in fur capes to put your arms through–so that the weight of the cape doesn’t pull it back or to one side or such. Yet no one can see how the cape stays in place.
Anyway my two cents–would love to ask the manufacturer.