The 1 Winter Style Mistake That Drives Everyone Nuts

Experts break down why that thread is there and what so many people overlook about it.

Each year as the weather cools down, the coats and jackets come out. While there are so many great colors, patterns and styles to admire as you walk around outside, there’s also a small detail that tends to get under many fashion lovers’ skin.

We’re talking about that oft-neglected X stitch on the back of coats and other garments. Far too many people seem unaware that it’s meant to be removed, so as a public service announcement, we spoke to clothing experts about the purpose of this stitch and what to do with it.

“The X stitch, often in a contrasting thread, is solely for packing purposes, to ensure that a vent or slit in a garment that has been carefully pressed in place does not become flipped up or creased in transit from the factory to the consumer,” Kelsy Parkhouse, a fashion designer and founder of Carleen, told HuffPost.

There’s even a term for this type of stitch (which is shockingly not “Lil X”).

“The X stitch on the back of coats, jackets and some skirts and dresses is known as a tacking stitch,” Kara Jubin, founder and creative director of KkCo, told HuffPost. “It’s basically a loose ‘tack’ stitch to keep the vent flat and closed to prevent it from folding or wrinkling before it gets to you.”