6 Hidden Features of Menswear and Why You Need to Use Them

Section: Gentlemanly Pursuits - Blog

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If you don't know how to use your recovery loop or when to look for an emergency button, you may not be getting full value from your men's wardrobe. Here's six features of your suit, shirt and accessories that may be under-utilized.

Ever wonder what that little piece of string at the end of your tie is? Or why there’s an extra pocket inside your suit jacket that is far too small for your wallet? Far from being useless peculiarities passed on through generations of tailors, these oddities each have a function, and why we aren’t making proper use of them is a mystery.

The recovery loop

While it might look like a loose thread at the end of your tie, don’t give in to temptation and snip that little loop off. The recovery loop is an essential component in any tie of quality, and the clue to its function lies in its name.

In an ideal world, we would all remove our ties with care and store them nicely at the end of the day, but in reality, your tie usually ends up in a heap on the floor. Between that and washing, it’s easy for it to become a little misshapen. The recovery loop is a thread that runs the length of your tie and allows you to pull it back into a semblance of normality. Use it often.

The lock pocket

It’s small, at an odd angle, and in a very strange place just on the inside of your jacket behind the lapel, so what the hell is it for? Breath mints? A spare set of contact lenses?

You’ll notice that there is a sharp angle inside the pocket which prevents anything within from falling out easily. As good a place as any for a credit card if you’re flying light and carrying as little weight as possible on your night out.

The ticket pocket

Yes, you guessed it, this is for your tickets. It’s a nifty little storage space above your main pocket on the right and is more than a simple sartorial affectation. At one time when men spent their money on events that required tickets rather than the swiping of a smartphone, this pocket was quite useful.

If you’re off to the theatre, cinema, or a concert then pop your tickets in here for safe keeping. They’ll be safe as houses, and you’ll never forget where you put them. It’s also a great place to keep those winning betting slips when you’re at the races.

The emergency button

You’d like to think that this is some sort of James Bond secret weapon type thing that incapacitates your enemies at the poker table, but unfortunately, it’s not quite that glamorous. The emergency or concealed button is there in case you lose one of your cufflinks. There’s really not much else we can say about it other than there’s now no excuse for unfastened cuffs on the dancefloor at your cousin’s wedding.

The cummerbund pocket

You may remember that we recently extolled the virtues of the cummerbund. You may also remember we told you how convenient it is for tucking your tickets into on those oft occasions you find yourself wearing a tuxedo to the theatre.

Okay, so this may not be all that useful for everyday use, but it’s still an overlooked feature nonetheless and therefore deserving of a place on our list.

The pen pocket

While it might seem a little old-fashioned to carry a pen in this age of smart tech, we still think it’s one of those essential items men must carry at all times. And it would seem that tailors and designers of note the world over agree with us.

The pen pocket is located just under the inside pocket of your jacket, but don’t just drop any old ballpoint in there. Get yourself a serious pen like a Montblanc or a Cross and the next time you’re asking someone for their digits, ask them to write it on a napkin. It’s a classy move and one that will live long in the memory.

Not every suit, shirt, or tie will have these features but look for them when making a purchase. These hidden features of menswear often take time and effort to incorporate into a garment and are a good indicator as to its quality.

Alternatively, you can just pop into the Montagio showroom, and we’ll make sure every item you purchase is laden with hidden features, although we’re not sure we can manage that James Bond button thing.