Breast Pocket Delete on Aero Bootlegger?

I think I deleted the chest pocket on one of my Johnson Leather jackets. Never missed it. Don't know that I have ever used that pocket on any of my leather jackets.

 

Yeah, the thing is the chest pocket on the bootlegger is actually big enough to be useful. I had a bootlegger and I used the chest pocket to carry my phone with me. But the pictured jacket looks great without it.

 

@Jin431 deleted the chest pocket on his Bootlegger. He seems happy about it. Personally I love jackets with one chest pocket and I’m not sure I’d ever buy one without it (unless it was an A-2), but it’s just an aesthetic thing to me. If you didn’t like the look I don’t think you’d miss it.

In other news I’m planning to stop by the Armoury in NY next month and I want to try on that jacket (in the darker color). I’ll probably just grab a shirt though.

 

I think it looks great! Clean and minimal. J106/Ridley would require a whole lot of deletions to be as clean-cut. You can see several examples of that model here: https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/aero-ridley-j106-repository-thread.101995/

Here is a really good Bootlegger thread with a lot of photos: https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thr...er-v-2-0-cxl-brown.92525/page-14#post-2773840

Welcome to FL by the way!

 

Sometimes the chest pocket zipper makes it protrude too much ...

 

Personally, those are pretty minimalist jackets to begin with - I think a simple chest pocket is a nice detail.

Also, Simon Crompton is such an insufferable twat that I would pretty much do the opposite of whatever he is into, so YMMV.

 

@dlite90 thats true, I don't mind deleting the chest pocket on mine. This is a super trim fit Bootlegger made from tobacco badalassi. Good luck with your order

 

I like breast pockets because they break up the large area a little. Maybe only with my jackets because I'm quite tall. And if there are no pockets, then at least a seam across the chest. I have two jackets without one and I am missing something visually.

 

Thank you. I had the detachable shearling collar added (not done by Aero, it's made by Johnson Leather of San Francisco) for fun lol I've seen jackets here with a detachable collar and I just copied them really. It's a nice touch, I'm so happy I had it added. This is how it looked before








I really like the clean look on mine but you can also look into different pocket placements. I don't really like how the chest pockets are placed in the bootlegger so I went without it. This is from a Levi's x Aero collab, I think the hand/chest pockets are better placed

 

I use the breast pocket a lot, actually. It's very handy in cold weather.

 

I am a fan of breast pockets although I never use them. I agree with MrProper that they break up the open space at the top of a jacket.
Having said that I think cross zip style jackets, such as the Bootlegger, look just fine without them. I think the diagonal zipper and the folded lapels create enough visual interest to make the jacket feel complete with or without a breast pocket.

 

I’m with Jin, much better the placement on the Aero X LVC. It looks more balanced to my eye.

I too never use it though so mostly aesthetic for me too.

LOL at Simon Crompton being a twat! I always saw him like a nice guy to be honest. He proposes a very safe/boring style in my opinion and every time I read one of his post at the end I’m like... mmm good... you reinvented the wheel once again.

 

I would retain it, especially if you don't spec an interior pocket. I have always used that pocket on all my jackets as the phone pocket. I dislike interior pockets.

 

It looks good, it will work. If you like it, go for it.

 

This is what I would consider. My Bootlegger was the first Aero I special-ordered new. The mods I got - way back in 2010 - were:

a Throat latch

Two inside pockets

button cuffs like on a 30s Halfbelt.

In practice, with that big chest pocket, two inside pockets - and possibly even any at all - were overkill. I think today I'd probably order one inside pocket for occasions when I have wallet / phone / mp3 player and maybe a couple of other bits to carry (I prefer to keep as little as possible in trouser pockets).

The throat latch is a nice detail, but it's not really seen much, and as I added it primarily for cosmetic reasons, I'd probably not add it now. I do prefer the button cuffs over the standard sleeve; ymmv.

The TL/DR is: to my eye, a Bootlegger looks good with or without the chest pocket; if you're on the fence, consider the practicality of it. If you want to tarry anything in a jacket and delete the chest pocket, definitely consider an inside pocket.

 

I went D pocket and no chest pocket on my bootlegger, no zipper on handwarmer, no inside pocket.
I am happy with that configuration, wouldn't change it.