Adding an interior pocket to a Vicenza Board Racer

[Bender]

Gentlemen,

My second Board Racer has arrived, and the fit is perfect (thanks very much to those of you who opined that I return the first one, I am very glad I did).

The new jacket is a beautiful 4 pocket version in a particularly nice dark seal Vicenza, soft (for Vicenza), with plenty of grain.

However, unlike the first jacket, this one lacks an interior pocket. I do use an interior pocket quite a lot with all my other jackets. I’d go so far as to say that it’s indispensable to me. So I’d really like to add one to this jacket. I have an excellent local tailor who can do anything.

Bur before I proceed, I would be grateful for some more learned opinions than my own on something:

Some quick research has revealed that Aero generally does not like to do interior pockets, because apparently once the jacket is very old, an outline of the pocket can become visible. Some have suggested that this is due to Aero constructing their interior pockets a certain way. Allegedly, they overbuild them with leather, which makes them very strong, but it is these same pieces of thick leather which create the outline as the jacket ages. The thread I read was discussing FQHH jackets, but I imagine the problem would be worse on the thinner and lighter Vicenza.

Naturally this initially gave me pause, but my current thinking is that I should be okay, insomuch as I am having my tailor do the pocket, not Aero... and he will be doing just a standard zipperless interior chest slit pocket made out of moleskin (like you find on most jackets). I imagine he will hem the pocket slit with something, but it certainly won’t be a thick piece of leather.

So no heavy leather pieces used in the construction of the pocket, no outline. I should be good. Right?

 

[Peter Bowden]

Does it bother you to have something visible?If it is a tight fitting jacket I expect it will.

 

[Seb Lucas]

I like the look of the pocket outline coming through although it doesn't happen often to be honest. Love an inside pocket.

 

[handymike]

I think you’ll be fine. Do what works best for you.

 

[Guppy]

Some quick research has revealed that Aero generally does not like to do interior pockets, because apparently once the jacket is very old, an outline of the pocket can become visible. Some have suggested that this is due to Aero constructing their interior pockets a certain way. Allegedly, they overbuild them with leather, which makes them very strong, but it is these same pieces of thick leather which create the outline as the jacket ages. The thread I read was discussing FQHH jackets, but I imagine the problem would be worse on the thinner and lighter Vicenza.

So no heavy leather pieces used in the construction of the pocket, no outline. I should be good. Right?

This is exactly right.

The easiest thing to do would be to sew a pocket-sized/shaped patch into the lining, and leave one side (top, or side, depending on how you want to enter the pocket) open. That way the original lining wouldn't need to be cut at all to add the pocket, and the pocket could later be removed if desired, without any traces left behind. If the patch were simply a piece of cloth, it wouldn't print at all through the jacket shell (stuff in the pocket could, if carried all the time, though).

It would take little bit of patience, or a hook-shaped needle to sew through the lining without sewing through the shell of the jacket, but could be done by hand. How neat the stitching would end up would be a factor of the tailor's skill.

 

[Bender]

Many thanks for the knowledgeable replies, gentlemen. Think I will go ahead with the job.