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Would a black bootlegger be a crazy buy?

user290389023

New in Town
Messages
48
Ive always had i crisis in choosing between a highwayman or bootlegger. On one side, i prefer the model of the bootlegger, but i feel like it just would look to much like a regular motorcycle jacket in a black color. What is your opinions on this? Havent found any pictures on google so im just clueless.
 

zebedee

One Too Many
Messages
1,916
Location
Shanghai
Perhaps a Moonshiner. It's a button front bootlegger.

E39980CE-75F5-4C8C-BE33-1D3E363BF6B1.jpeg

On the other hand, I might (if I'd known more) have purchased a 50s half-belt over a Highwayman.
 

Mawashi

One of the Regulars
Messages
226
I found some photos of a really interesting bootlegger

https://www.thurston-bros.com/produ...legger-sz-40-tweed-wool-and-vicenza-horsehide

Like what Carlos840 said, the bootlegger is more aviation than biker like this.
Men’s-Aviator-Cross-Zip-B3-Cream-Shearling-Sheepskin.jpg

Both the Highwayman and the bootlegger are great jackets. The bootlegger has more character while the hwm is more classic.

When I think about a black jacket the first thing that comes to mind is a motor jacket (which I'm not that big a fan of) followed by the German Gestapo / U Boat type leather jackets.
a38e39006cb61835ec17be9e9c4a3156.jpg

However, I'll throw my choice into the mix
A Simmons Klondike
k1_1_5.jpg
 

Seb Lucas

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,562
Location
Australia
When I think about a black jacket the first thing that comes to mind is a motor jacket (which I'm not that big a fan of) followed by the German Gestapo / U Boat type leather jackets.
View attachment 228881

The Gestapo never wore a coat like this. This is really a classic European civilian style worn by working men in the mid 20th centrury - popular until the 1970's. I have also seen Scandinavian versions of this pattern.
 

AeroFan_07

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,800
Location
Iowa
No trouble at all with a black bootlegger! You can spec it to have Zip sleeves & nickle hardware if you want to a have a little more motorcycle feel to it.
 

dudewuttheheck

I'll Lock Up
Messages
4,496
Just because it's a bit more aviator in style doesn't mean that it doesn't look good in black.
I think Carlos' pictures prove that it would work.
 

Mawashi

One of the Regulars
Messages
226
The Gestapo never wore a coat like this. This is really a classic European civilian style worn by working men in the mid 20th centrury - popular until the 1970's. I have also seen Scandinavian versions of this pattern.

I didn't want to encourage the gustapo look or anything nazi related I merely said that was the first ting that came it mind so I used what look similar which was a double breasted jacket as I was not sure what the reaction guys here would have about anything related to that dark period.

Having said that I have seen some really nice u boat leather jackets
 

Seb Lucas

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,562
Location
Australia
I didn't want to encourage the gustapo look or anything nazi related I merely said that was the first ting that came it mind so I used what look similar which was a double breasted jacket as I was not sure what the reaction guys here would have about anything related to that dark period.

Having said that I have seen some really nice u boat leather jackets

I was simply offering a clarification to your claim. The war was incidental to my comment. These are also not u boat jackets. Similar but different. Some private purchase by navy types may well have happened back then but the issued uboat coats were grey and a different pattern. The Gestapo look is a leather overcoat, at least a foot or more longer than this.
 

Mawashi

One of the Regulars
Messages
226
Yes the gastapo wore longer trench jackets that were issued to higher ranking officers so the look caught on.

It doesn't help that Hugo Boss made the uniforms for the SS and the look became associated with all things nazi.

It's sad but some of these designs are really awesome but I won't touch them w a 10 foot pole.
 

KissMyMuscle

One of the Regulars
Messages
245
Between Highwayman and Bootlegger, I will wear highwayman a lot more. And I will regret to not buying the bootlegger.
 

Kuro

Practically Family
Messages
726
I would. The Bootlegger is one of the first custom jackets I considered! I still want a half belt jacket.

Today though, I would probably order a Hooch Hauler...

That being said, a crosszip jacket looks like a motorcycle jacket to most people.
 
Last edited:

Mawashi

One of the Regulars
Messages
226
These days if you really wear a black knee lenght trench coat you would probably get Matrix comments.

That's so true lol.

Between Highwayman and Bootlegger, I will wear highwayman a lot more. And I will regret to not buying the bootlegger.

Both are very appealing jackets but for myself the look of the Klondike is more in line with what I prefer oops lol.
 

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