Bootlegger or Sheene

Caber · Mar 24, 2021

I have a dilemma. I am hopefully going to purchase another jacket this year. It will be in cordovan CXL leather. I am having a hard time deciding between the Bootlegger and the Sheene. Here is my dilemma. I have had 3 bootleggers in the past. I miss this jacket! however, I have a hooch hauler in dark seal and I love this jacket and will never sell it. I have never had a sheene but The sheene will fit my frame very well ( Tall, slim, athletic build, Y shape upper body.) and I really like the look of the sheene and want one. I'm having difficulty deciding which to pick. I feel like since I have a Hooch Hauler that fits my frame really well, maybe I do not need another cross zip jacket and I should try the Sheene. The Bootlegger isn't going to look any better than the Hooch Hauler on me. On the other hand, I really love the BL. I know the answer from most here will be GET BOTH!!! I can't get both. I can only get one. I know these two jackets are completely different animals. I'm not wanting to compare the jackets but wanting to know Which one you would pick if you were in my situation?

Guppy · Mar 24, 2021

Go with the Sheene. The Hooch Hauler has you covered for that style of jacket.

MrProper · Mar 24, 2021

Sheene

Grayland · Mar 24, 2021

Sheene. You're covered with the Hooch Hauler (as far as cross-zips go). Great choice to go with cordovan for the Sheene. I have a number of jackets, but I try to keep it one to a category and mix up the colors. The idea is I want to have few enough leather jackets that I actually put some patina on them.

sweetfights · Mar 24, 2021

sheene

TooManyHatsOnlyOneHead · Mar 24, 2021

to check off a different box, Sheene. BUT, be careful on sizing. A lot of us with CXL Sheenes are not 100% happy. It is a very constricting fit and there are weird design "lines" which come off the neck. If you are not doing gussets, you need to compensate with more shoulder width and even ptp. I also wouldn't get handwarmer pockets or in the least get them with zippers because they flare out based on the taper design.

I really like mine so don't wish to paint a negative picture. But there's a lot of things I would have done different now owning it. It was also early in the game for me and I really didn't understand how some of these design elements affect the fit.

I have a Sheene and a Cafe Racer which is the Sheene with collar. Even though they are almost same measurements, they wear completely different. The CR has gussets, zipped up handwarmers, and slightly longer and is probably my top 3 fav jackets to wear for both comfort and fit. Can't say that about the Sheene. I keep hoping that CXL will break down more, give me more range, etc. etc. but that is wishful thinking, I think

I'm adding snaps to the handwarmer pockets. Will know how that turns out this week. Hoping that at least keeps thing sleek and then will just hope time helps with the upper half.

Caber · Mar 24, 2021

TooManyHatsOnlyOneHead said:
to check off a different box, Sheene. BUT, be careful on sizing. A lot of us with CXL Sheenes are not 100% happy. It is a very constricting fit and there are weird design "lines" which come off the neck. If you are not doing gussets, you need to compensate with more shoulder width and even ptp. I also wouldn't get handwarmer pockets or in the least get them with zippers because they flare out based on the taper design.

I really like mine so don't wish to paint a negative picture. But there's a lot of things I would have done different now owning it. It was also early in the game for me and I really didn't understand how some of these design elements affect the fit.

I have a Sheene and a Cafe Racer which is the Sheene with collar. Even though they are almost same measurements, they wear completely different. The CR has gussets, zipped up handwarmers, and slightly longer and is probably my top 3 fav jackets to wear for both comfort and fit. Can't say that about the Sheene. I keep hoping that CXL will break down more, give me more range, etc. etc. but that is wishful thinking, I think

I'm adding snaps to the handwarmer pockets. Will know how that turns out this week. Hoping that at least keeps thing sleek and then will just hope time helps with the upper half.

So keep gussets on a sheene? Delete outside kidney panel ?

does the seven wear better and have more range than the sheene. I considered that one too

I was leaning toward the sheens too. I don’t want to manny jackets or they will never get enough use. I have 3 right now and really just want one more

TooManyHatsOnlyOneHead · Mar 24, 2021

Caber said:
So keep gussets on a sheene? Delete outside kidney panel ?

does the seven wear better and have more range than the sheene. I considered that one too

I was leaning toward the sheens too. I don’t want to manny jackets or they will never get enough use. I have 3 right now and really just want one more

I wouldn't necessarily say delete the gussets. You just have to compensate. 22 ptp with gusset fits a lot different than 22 without. And of course the shoulder measurement is more directly affected. I agree usually for the most part that shoulder isn't as critical as ptp, waist, etc. but with Sheene I would make sure you give yourself room if not getting gussets.

Seven/Board Racer measurements I've never understood. Seem like narrow shoulder, smaller ptp, and just straight line down. On paper, I would need a 44 or even 46 but in Sheene I was 40 bordering on 42. So I'm sure I'm missing something there.

Ayeteael · Mar 24, 2021

Buy the sheene. If the BL itch continues, buy the BL if funds permit. If not, sell the hooch hauler to fund the BL.

BassandB3 · Mar 24, 2021

Agree w Sheene!

I had a very cool Sheene in 40 where shoulders were great without gussets but was too tight in the waist for me. My size 42 BR fits better overall for me, but has shoulder gussets and is Bainbridge which is softer/thinner. I also have a thinner lining in the BR which seems to affect the overall fit/feel.

Caber · Mar 24, 2021

I’m guessing the quilted will lining wouldn’t work with the sheene fit very well ?

El Marro · Mar 24, 2021

Guppy said:
Go with the Sheene. The Hooch Hauler has you covered for that style of jacket.

My thoughts exactly. if you have never owned a bootlegger then that would be my recommendation without a doubt. Considering the fact that you have owned three of them and they have all moved on makes me think that it is time to try something else.
The Sheene is a great choice and anything in Cordovan would be awesome.

ton312 · Mar 24, 2021

Just say’n

Caber · Mar 24, 2021

ton312 said:
Just say’n
View attachment 321095

I once considered the 30s half belt but decided I would always choose a bootlegger over it.

it does naw on me not having a bootlegger. The only reason I had 3 was because I thought the first one didn’t fit right. Later on I Figured out it fit perfect and should have never have sold it. The 2nd one I went up a size and put a shearling liner in it. Something was wrong with the collar so I exchanged it for the exact same size and make. So really I’ve owned 3 BL but 2 of them were exactly the same.

ton312 · Mar 24, 2021

Caber said:
I once considered the 30s half belt but decided I would always choose a bootlegger over it.

it does naw on me not having a bootlegger. The only reason I had 3 was because I thought the first one didn’t fit right. Later on I Figured out it fit perfect and should have never have sold it. The 2nd one I went up a size and put a shearling liner in it. Something was wrong with the collar so I exchanged it for the exact same size and make. So really I’ve owned 3 BL but 2 of them were exactly the same.

Think of the 30’s HB as a mullet of sorts
Sheene up front
Bootlegger in back
LOL. Anyway I vote for the sheene too but I understand the struggle.

Caber · Mar 24, 2021

ton312 said:
Think of the 30’s HB as a mullet of sorts
Sheene up front
Bootlegger in back
LOL. Anyway I vote for the sheene too but I understand the struggle.

You have or have had both correct ? Which did you like wearing more if so ?

ton312 · Mar 24, 2021

Caber said:
You have or have had both correct ? Which did you like wearing more if so ?

Yes I have had a couple of each. I liked them both for separate reasons. Totally different feel. Not sure if I actually preferred one over the other but I did and do find the 30’-50’s HB less ostentatious compared to a bootlegger, but also less cool.

Robbie79 · Mar 24, 2021

110% Sheene! You have had 4 cross zips (3 BL, 1 Hooch) and a Sheene would be something new to you and would look perfect due to your athletic body. Cordovan CXL is a fantastic choice - I’ve had both steer and horse and I can’t really tell which one I prefer. Place the order and you‘re done for now and can focus on other things!

Caber · Mar 24, 2021

ton312 said:
Yes I have had a couple of each. I liked them both for separate reasons. Totally different feel. Not sure if I actually preferred one over the other but I did and do find the 30’-50’s HB less ostentatious compared to a bootlegger, but also less cool.

You wouldn’t have a preference over BL or CR when it comes to comfort?

ton312 · Mar 24, 2021

Caber said:
You wouldn’t have a preference over BL or CR when it comes to comfort?

Physical comfort? No, not really.

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