You’ve probably seen it: the X stitch on the back of a suit jacket. This small stitch is placed on the vent, but what is it for and should you remove it?

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What is the X stitch on a suit jacket?

In case you don’t know what we’re talking about, please have a look at the photo below. It’s a picture of the cross stitch.   

This cross actually serves just one purpose: it keeps your suit jacket from wrinkling when you buy it. In the factory, they add the cross stitch during production. They hold the fabric of the vent together and stitch it with yarn in the shape of a cross. This keeps the vent at the back of your jacket neatly in place. Sometimes they don’t use a cross, but an invisible stitch instead. In that case, they simply secure the vent with a few small stitches.

You’re supposed to remove the stitch as soon as you start wearing the jacket. The vent helps the jacket fit properly on your body. It usually starts around the level of your tailbone, exactly where your body begins to curve. Without the vent, the jacket would fall straight down and start to bunch up at the back.     

Cross stitch on back of suit jacket

If you don’t remove the yarn, the fabric will start to wad up and wrinkle at the back. Such a shame!

Personally, I can’t help it when I see people walking around with a cross stitch like that—I immediately want to fix it. Your jacket looks much better once you remove it. And the good news is: it’s very easy to do. Just cut the yarn with scissors.

Are you on your way to an important meeting and forgot to remove it? Don’t worry. You can also break the yarn by carefully pulling the two sides of the vent apart. The yarn is very thin, so you won’t damage the fabric of the jacket.

So do you have an important meeting? A job application or a presentation at work? Do not only focus on what you look like at the front, but also check the vent at the back.  

Want to improve your overall workwear style?

Also check:

• This is how you should wear a blazer at work
• Should you tuck in your shirt? The complete style guide for men and women
• How it should be: business etiquette for nails

 

Greetings,

Aileen

Last update: 29/03/2026