Yes it's possible.
Cost 0$!!

You can do it yourself, just cut the seam and then wash and iron the shirt. I've done it with several of my shirts, I can't see any holes or marks left on the shirt.

Although you should do it while the shirt is still new, because the fabric color may change a little bit due to sunlight.

manuduenas

 

Agreed. I recently did this to a shirt. Be careful on the first few seams so as not to poke a hole or catch some of the fabric of the shirt. After you get going a bit it will be easy because the area you started on will be free from the shirt, so you can attack it from the side and not have to be as careful.

 

There's more to cost than $$$$

Think about the inconvenience of not having a place to put your pocket protector? the loss of prestige? Of panache?

I'd be very cautious about removing the pocket without considering the complete range of impacts.

If you don't like the standard pocket available from BB or JP, one idea would be to order custom shirts which will allow you to customize the pocket fabric e.g. white on blue, or madras on tattersall; or maybe a different fabric entirely such as very fine corduroy over silk.

 

Think about the inconvenience of not having a place to put your pocket protector? the loss of prestige? Of panache?

Minus one for losing the pocket-protector storage location.

Plus one for the prestige of being the kind of person who doesn't need a chest pocket, pocket protector, or a pocket-protector storage location.

Plus one for the increased panache that comes with being the guy with the aforementioned prestige.

Net result of losing the pocket: +2

 

Apparently removing the breast pocket almost always leaves visible marks. Check the archives.

 

Apparently removing the breast pocket almost always leaves visible marks. Check the archives.

I have removed 5+ pockets from my shirts and there isnt any visible mark left. I'm wondering where did you get the "always" part of your sentence.

 

I do this on nearly all my shirts. Use a seam ripper (couple of dollars at a drugstore) or, better yet, an exacto knife if you have a steady hand and can avoid cutting the shirt. It left a barely visible mark on the first shirt I did it on. No marks on all the rest. The better quality the shirt (which I have generally found means higher stitches per inch) the longer it will take.

 

I've carefully removed breast pockets from 5 - 6 OTR dress shirts and not a one left any visible marks. Seam rippers are too thick -- use a single edge razor blade or Xacto type thin-blade knife. If you do it on a new shirt, wash it and iron it, you will never tell a pocket was there.

AD

 

Some people claim it will leave a mark. Some people claim it doesn't. Is the absence of a pocket so important that you want to risk throwing a perfectly good shirt in the trash simply because it has a pocket?

 

Some people claim it will leave a mark. Some people claim it doesn't. Is the absence of a pocket so important that you want to risk throwing a perfectly good shirt in the trash simply because it has a pocket?

It would be to me. But I also try to avoid buying shirts with pockets. With everyone trying to save money, I'm surprised we don't see more pocketless shirts. But to some people I've come across, a shirt without a pocket is like a shirt without a sleeve, and they return the shirt believing it's a defect.

 

Minus one for losing the pocket-protector storage location.

Plus one for the prestige of being the kind of person who doesn't need a chest pocket, pocket protector, or a pocket-protector storage location.

Plus one for the increased panache that comes with being the guy with the aforementioned prestige.

Net result of losing the pocket: +2

Actually, that would gross to +2 and net to +1, or possibly net-net to +1 if you wanted to classify the pocket protector items as similar and net them first.

 

Think about the inconvenience of not having a place to put your pocket protector? .

People actually wear pocket protectors?

 

People actually wear pocket protectors?

Don't work around "nerds" do you? Although to the point, if you don't have a pocket, you don't worry about having to protect it.

 

People actually wear pocket protectors?

only the geniuses.

 

Don't work around "nerds" do you? Although to the point, if you don't have a pocket, you don't worry about having to protect it.

Very good point. Now that I think about it, I think one of our IT guys wears one.

 

The shirt in question is a tux shirt that fit the bill for what I want, except for the pocket. I realize that it will stay under my jacket, but I don't really want it there in the first place. I would love to see the look on the other guests' faces if I whipped off my jacket to show off my pocket protector protected formal shirt pocket.

 

I took off the pocket of one of my shirts took me all of 10minutes. $0 cost. I used a seam ripper. It did leave marks after the pocket was off but after I washed & dried it no sign that there was ever a pocket on the shirt.

 

The shirt in question is a tux shirt that fit the bill for what I want, except for the pocket. I realize that it will stay under my jacket, but I don't really want it there in the first place. I would love to see the look on the other guests' faces if I whipped off my jacket to show off my pocket protector protected formal shirt pocket.

A tux shirt with a pocket? I'm no purist, but I can't say that I've ever seen that before ...

 

Since it's "free" if you do it yourself and relatively easy to do, am I right in assuming that a tailor wouldn't charge much to remove it due to the ease?

And should it be be done before wearing/washing it, so the color matches?

 

Actually, that would gross to +2 and net to +1, or possibly net-net to +1 if you wanted to classify the pocket protector items as similar and net them first.

How right you are. Still, it's a win for the pocket-less.

 

I'm in the minority, but I like being able to put small items like pieces of paper or occasionally a pen in the shirt pocket. (Things like tickets or a small envelope I need for the church collection.) I don't always wear a jacket, so that is not always available to me.

I don't live and work in a world where people care much about things like whether your shirt has a pocket. I suppose shirts do look a bit better without them. It's a personal value judgement, I guess, although my opinion will be in the minority here.

 

I remember when I was young and all men wore ties a sign of an executive was that his pocket was sealed shut by the heavy starch form the laundry service. Only us lowly wonks could actually put anything in our shirt pockets.

 

I'm in the minority, but I like being able to put small items like pieces of paper or occasionally a pen in the shirt pocket. (Things like tickets or a small envelope I need for the church collection.)

You need a ticket for the church collection??!?!:icon_smile_big:

On my more casual shirts (that I often wear without jacket) I usually have a pocket for reasons described. On formal shirts I never have shirt pockets, simply because it adds for a cleaner look, plus I have enough pockets in my jacket that is obligatory with my formal shirts.

manuduenas

 

I have removed 5+ pockets from my shirts and there isnt any visible mark left. I'm wondering where did you get the "always" part of your sentence.

Please take special note of the 'Apparently' part of my sentence.

 

Apparently removing the breast pocket almost always leaves visible marks. Check the archives.

No no. As has been said above, the kicker is to have it done before the shirt is ever washed. I have recently had this done to two new shirts (1 oxford cloth, the other herringbone) and it worked perfectly - not a trace in sight. $5 at the laundry. I think the concensus that Pipps was thinking about is non-iron shirts. Apprently the pocket leaves an impression that won't go away. Dunno about broadcloth.

I hate pockets.

GoodTalk