Question: From a dapper office worker in Evendale, “In men's suits, why do they usually sew the jacket pockets shut?”

        Answer: “It's a safety thing,” says Mary Pickett, store manager at Gentry Men's Clothing, Kenwood. “When shipping, they might get caught (and) may be ripped.”

        It's also an aesthetic thing: Jackets with sewn pockets hold their shape in transit and look better on their destination retail rack.

        But, even more interesting, experts say consumers tend to look best with flat, firm, never-used pockets.

        That's why many pockets remain inaccessible.

        Gerardo Ramundo, Mount Lookout master tailor, says 90 percent of his clients keep their jacket pockets closed “so they look neat ... especially if (the jacket) doesn't have flaps.”

        “If you start putting things in them (pockets), it begins to bulge the pocket out,” Ms. Pickett says. “When they're sewn shut, they stay flat and clean-looking in the front.”

        A pocket tends to sag with use, Mr. Ramundo says, and a piping pocket (one without flaps) has nothing to hide the sag.

        Makes sense. But then, a Stupid source reminded us that your car will look its best if you don't use it.

        Gentry tailors automatically remove extra jacket stitching for customers, but about 3 of 10 prefer to keep the pockets sealed, Ms. Pickett says.

        If they're especially particular about how the suits look, says Mr. Ramundo, “they'll keep (the pockets) shut.

        “If they're not ... then we have to educate them.”

        If you have a stupid question, send it to Ask a Stupid Question at mpulfer@enquirer.com; mail: c/o Cincinnati Enquirer, 312 Elm St., Cincinnati OH 45202; fax: 768-8330;

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