Inside Pockets ? - One - Two - or None ?

[Windward]

Hi Gents,
any opinions and experience about inside pockets in your jackets- can you live without?

Thanks
Windward

 

[Sloan1874]

If we're talking Aero, then it depends whether you want an unspoiled line on your jacket - certainly wouldn't have them on my DB as part of its charm is the plain front. But I have two inside pockets on my LHB: the left buttoned one I use to carry my iPod, the right zipper I've never bother with. Unfortunately, I was wearing it when my car was involved in a bump, and while it stopped me from getting a nasty bruise, the friction from the seatbelt left a faint 'tracing' of the right hand pocket. It's not a big deal, it's all part of the jacket's character now, but to be honest, I'd take Aero's advice and leave them out. But if you absolutely can't live without them, I'd go for one that will sit behind a breast pocket, which should prevent an obvious shape coming through. Just my ha'penneth's worth.

 

[nick123]

Not a fan of them. They look awfully cool from the inside but I opted out of any internal pockets for my hwm. Too many people claim the lines are visible through the front, and my jeans have enough storage space. I would argue the chest zip pocket is even a little bulky in the front for my tastes. It has a leather backing sewn into the pocket which kind of makes the front bulge out a bit.

 

[majormajor]

Had a HWM with two pockets (not made for me).
Horrible.
My vote is for NO inside pockets

 

[Windward]

Thanks Gents - I am going to order my first without inside pocktes ... I'll see how it looks and feels without.

 

[Dav]

I've got them in all my Aeros so far, first in a Highwayman L/R lining pockets, then I changed to L/R facing pockets in the Cheyenne and Teamster. Now for my next order I've decided to leave them off, reason being that they are starting to show through the front on the Teamster a bit, not a big deal but I thought being as I was going for a lighter hide this time they may show through even more and this time I want a jacket I can wear into summer as much as possible, so didn't want the extra moleskin on my chest.
Will I miss them, probably yes, but I'm still going without them.

 

[IXL]

Unless you have something you absolutely have to carry in an inside pocket, leave them out. Only one "plus" and a whole bunch of "minus's."

 

[ButteMT61]

I've had no minuses with them, and I like to keep my cash there. I won't get a jacket made without them - unless it's an A-2/A-1, etc. Just my 2¢

 

[wdw]

The line can definitely be noticeable, so my choice would be to avoid unless you definitely need something secure. I've gone for one inner rather than two on my second Stockman, as I've found the second pocket to be superfluous. I also wish I hadn't gone for an inner on my HWM, as the chest one does the trick.

On a similar theme, I wish I hadn't insisted on cord pocket linings on my inner pockets as I find them unnecessarily warm and bulky. Standard cotton bags are plenty good enough

 

[Edward]

For me, it depends entirely on the jacket. I have both extremes, if you like - my Bootlegger and Thirties Halfbelt have one on each side; My Highwayman has none. I wouldn't add one to a military jacket that didn't come with them (unless it was a repro of a blue Nose Bastards jacket or similar, with a very specific field mod), but I do like them. I much prefer to carry as little as possible in my trouser pockets, and keep the wallet in the jacket. My Highwayman has only the one pocket, on the chest - it's completely standard. I bought it complete like that (an Apprentice Made special, though mine has the Blue Label, from before the AMs had a label of their own). I do miss an inside pocket for my wallet, which doesn't fit easily in the chest pocket, but it's not a sufficient inconvenience to make me regret the jacket (especially not at the saving over regular price). The Bootlegger is just fine with the two.... I've never had any issue with pocket bags showing through on even the Thirties Halfbelt, though it is true that a bulky wallet will leave a bulge in the chest when the jacket is closed. This doesn't bother me.... to me, that sort of thing is all part of the patina. Opinions vary, of course. Having lived with the Halfbelt and the Bootlegger for some three years, when it comes the time for another jacket, I don't think I'll go for two inner pockets. The thing about pocketses, Precious, is that the more of them a nasty hobbitses has, the more he tends to stick in them. It's the same principle as 'the bigger the house, the more junk with which you fill it...'. Back at the tail end of the Eighties, I once lost a cassette inside a Perfecto-style jacket. Could hear it rattling, just took a week to figure out which pocket it was in.... and that that particular pocket was about five inches deeper than I realised.... Something to bear in mind with a Bootlegger style is that if you are going to wear the jacket closed most of the time, you'll be forever opening it to get at an inner pocket on the right hand side. If I was to buy another Thirties halfbelt or similar, I'd have one pocket on the left breast outer, nice and deep (just like the one on my Bootlegger), and one 'G1' style pocket on the right inner facing. FWIW, my Thirties Halfbelt was bought from the Aero sale page, and features two outer breast pockets with the horizontal zips. I love the look, very Thirties French cycling jacket / Luftwaffe pilot, though in truth those pockets are definitely on the small side and not much use for anything wider or thicker than an ipod. That being the case, I find the inner pockets on the two sides invaluable, but definitely I have to watch how much I stuff in there if I want to zip it up, given the neat fit of that particular cut (I'm not a fan of oversizing these things). Whether inner or outer, I like to have two secure pockets on a jacket - one for the phone, one for the wallet. stuffing both in one causes awkward bulging. Today I'm wearing my wool Waterfront, which has no inner pocket, just the two outer flap pockets. One for phone, one for wallet.... all grand. Carrying more than that, I'll typically opt for a bag anyhow.

 

[pauleway]

I like the inside pocket. If you're at a bar you can stash your wallet there and not have to worry about it. It doesn't bother me that the stud indent might show threw. Just be careful when you pull it open. My 2-tone 30's HB wasn't an hour old, and my brother was trying on my "brand new" jacket and decided to see how the inner pocket works and pulled it open and the snap broke off! A true Buzz Kill if there ever was one!!

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I agree Butte. Got at least one G1 style inside pocket in my Aeros....and one on each side in my newest Bootlegger and Stewart. No minuses for me either...although I have seen photos here of some member's jackets quite obviously 'printing'. Some even with the snap showing through. However.. my 12-13 year old Highwayman shows no signs of it. Must be how they're used..or what is kept in them(?).
HD

 

[bn1966]

Inside pocket is fine on my French Cycling jacket but I certainly wouldn't want it on any other where there are 2 external pockets........ one for the wallet & one for the phone.

 

[ButteMT61]

I think HD it's exactly that. Just like jeans with a wallet or Skoal can on the rear pocket. I use mine for cash and a lucky coin. That's it. As pauleway said, it's security for the $$$ when I'm out - or a CC too. No wallet needed.

 

[IXL]

Unless you have something you absolutely have to carry in an inside pocket, leave them out. Only one "plus" and a whole bunch of "minus's."

I think I was perhaps a little bit flip with this response. I was envisioning the big, heavy pockets which cause the front of the jacket to kind of mold around it funny, and to form an obvious print, usually with a snap. I have seen several trim-fitting jackets being worn with these inside pockets detracting from otherwise good looks.
As Butte and others have stated, a good inside pocket can be a great place to hold some cash and credit cards..especially in the kinds of seedy places I imagine these guys hang out! This is the one big plus of these pockets for me. My Vanson CHP has a couple of inside pockets and while I don't use them much, they are so far completely unobtrusive.
I have some looser fitting duty jackets with inside pockets that I fill up with all kinds of stuff, but these are not high-end leather products.
So, to paraphrase Will Rogers, who stated "Don't buy a stock unless it's gonna go up in value; if it's gonna go down, don't buy it.": Don't get a jacket with an inside pocket it it's gonna end up looking bad: if it's gonna be both invisible and useful, go ahead and get it!

 

[handymike]

Here's a question:
If the jacket has an external zip "humidor" pocket, do you get the inside pocket on the same or opposite side?
Figured I'd ask you vets.

 

[Stand By]

I'd say it depends on the jacket.
I used to have the 352nd A2 from ELC - and the field mod. inner pockets made sense to me when I ordered it. And it was beautifully made.
But put more than a cheque book in either of them: instant paunch. Not flattering. But more than that; those pockets are made of tough parachute pack canvas - it was a very HEAVY jacket. And with stuff in the pockets - even worse.
I traded it in for my ANJ-3 that has the inside pocket as per spec. and I love just having it if I need it.

But since Nick123 very generously sent me a couple of his excellent books on A2s (thanks a million again Nick!), I suddenly find myself planning my next A2 one day - but no inner pocket would suit me just fine next time. Keep it uncluttered.
As mentioned earlier - got stuff to carry? - I'd say it's what a "murse" is for!

 

[Plumbline]

I like them A LOT ... possibly the most useful feature on a leather jacket

and find them invaluable for stashing phone etc. in a safe and useable fashion ( and ideal for on the bike).

I generally have two ... one each side ... but I can live with one on LHS ( I'm right handed) but then again my jackets are never tight enough for any lines to show they are always of a more comfortable 1950's + fit

Every "leather" jacket I have ever bought from Aero or any other manufacturer ( including A-2's which I had sewn into the lining in the same cloth as the lining like many wartime examples) has had them ... handwarmer pockets I use for ...eh ... warming my hands ( never trusted anything of value in them tbh ... seemed too easy to fall out and be lost). The zip pocket on the outside is for lucky charm and decoration ... I very seldom use it for anything else.

I generally go stud fastening on "pistol pockets" ... but on longer jackets where the inside pocket is sewn into the lining I go stud left and zip right.

The only exceptions have been sheepskin jackets ( Irvin's / ANJ-4's / B-6's / D-1's ) which have never had inside pockets.



HTH

 

[Fanch]

Thus far I have encountered no problems with vertical inside pockets in the leather facing of my HWM and Teamster but am cautious what I place inside the pockets. I will say that I keep the snap pocket on my HWM unsnapped and have no closure at all on the inside vertical pocket on my Teamster.

 

[ButteMT61]

I think I was perhaps a little bit flip with this response......As Butte and others have stated, a good inside pocket can be a great place to hold some cash and credit cards..especially in the kinds of seedy places I imagine these guys hang out! ...

You are such a d**k lolI can't afford to hang out in good places since I joined here and started blowing money on all this fancy leather crap. I blame TFL. I hope they have good lawyers. Oh wait, I can't afford a good lawyer so they're safe