double breasted long overcoat or long pea coat

pistos · Nov 2, 2014

Hi,

I've given up on finding a trench coat. I ordered one from Burberry but returned it since it didn't look quite right on me. So now I'm thinking mid- or full-length overcoat or pea coat, double breasted. Thinking something warm for a cold, midwest February day. Couldn't find anything at Macy's or Nordstrom today. Looking online Brooks Brother's doesn't have anything in my size. No go for Kenneth Cole, London Fog... Men's Wearhouse only had a wool/polyester blend.

I'm looking at tailor4less.com and it seems I can get MTM for a reasonable price... too reasonable... less than $300 for a 100% cashmere coat. They only have 100% cashmere or 80/20 cashmere/wool. I know cashmere is warm but I don't know how thick it would be - warm enough for 0F? I am also concerned about it in the rain - how tight and long are the fibers? If it was suitably warm I could get a wool singlebreasted overcoat for rainy days, though.

Any help would be appreciated

arkirshner · Nov 2, 2014

Three initial points:

First, from the viewpoint of appropriateness, the choice of an overcoat depends on what you will be wearing underneath.

Second, there are many grades of cashmere. What can you expect for less than $300?

Third, cashmere of any grade is not hard wearing.

If you fill in the first point it will be possible to give a reasonable response.

pistos · Nov 2, 2014

Dress slacks and sport coat/blazer. What do you mean "hard wearing"? I understand that cashmere is delicate but I don't exactly plan to visit a sandpaper factory wearing it

pistos · Nov 2, 2014

Thinking a little bit more - a few of their fabric options are advertised as "thick fabric for cold temperatures." Obviously "cold" and "thick" are relative terms, but if it's warm enough to wear in 0F, it's probably TOO warm to wear in the rain, so I'd have to get another overcoat anyways. I'd probably go with something like the London Fog single breasted wool/poly blend. Can't expect the best quality cashmere at $300 for material, labor, and shipping. So quality and warmth are my two big concerns. I guess I won't know unless I buy it, but I'm hoping there are other options available I'm just not finding.

arkirshner · Nov 2, 2014

A great choice for wear over a sportcoat is the Billax approved camel hair discussed in the Trad Forum. Wait for another sale, there is one every other week. Under $250 this is a great value on a classic coat. https://askandyaboutclothes.com/com...d.php?191358-Billax-recommended-JAB-Polo-Coats-on-Sale-in-More-sizes-38S-to-46L

You cannot expect one coat to serve all functions. The camel hair will work when its cold but you should have another coat when it is too warm for the camel hair,a lined trench coat seems reasonable.

EDIT

To get back to the original question, a pea coat is extremely casual and not suitable for wear over a sportcoat.

pistos · Nov 2, 2014

I saw that one earlier, in fact! I was thinking a grey would be more versatile but I suppose it couldn't hurt to order it and return it if I don't like it. I live like 2 minutes from a Jos. A. Bank.

Steve Smith · Nov 3, 2014

pistos said:
Hi,

I've given up on finding a trench coat. I ordered one from Burberry but returned it since it didn't look quite right on me. So now I'm thinking mid- or full-length overcoat or pea coat, double breasted.

Any help would be appreciated

A long pea coat is known as a bridge coat. That should give you a good search term.

These are both US Navy uniform items with the pea coat belonging with the enlisted uniform and the bridge coat being an officers' item. I have worn both and always thought the bridge coat was a better look.

momsdoc · Nov 4, 2014

Why did you give up on a trench coat? It will keep you drier than an overcoat.

Not to sound like a broken record, but check out Cashmere Boutique. The cashmere/ wool blends are very warm and sturdy. They have pure cashmere at very reasonable prices, and it is not a flimsy cheap cashmere.

arkirshner · Nov 4, 2014

Steve Smith said:
A long pea coat is known as a bridge coat. That should give you a good search term.

These are both US Navy uniform items with the pea coat belonging with the enlisted uniform and the bridge coat being an officers' item. I have worn both and always thought the bridge coat was a better look.

Welcome back,

How was your bike trip?

Chouan · Nov 4, 2014

Steve Smith said:
A long pea coat is known as a bridge coat. That should give you a good search term.

These are both US Navy uniform items with the pea coat belonging with the enlisted uniform and the bridge coat being an officers' item. I have worn both and always thought the bridge coat was a better look.

I still wear my RN greatcoat in inclement weather when at work, with the epaulettes removed, of course. This is one currently on Ebay . I'd show you mine, but I don't have my camera with me.

Steve Smith · Nov 4, 2014

arkirshner said:
Welcome back,

How was your bike trip?

It was great. Beautiful country, wonderful people.

sskim3 · Nov 6, 2014

momsdoc said:
Why did you give up on a trench coat? It will keep you drier than an overcoat.

Not to sound like a broken record, but check out Cashmere Boutique. The cashmere/ wool blends are very warm and sturdy. They have pure cashmere at very reasonable prices, and it is not a flimsy cheap cashmere.

+1 on momsdoc's recommendation on Cashmere Boutique. Thanks to momsdoc I am able to try one of their overcoats. I finally got a chance to wear the overcoat the other evening and the cashmere wool blend feels excellent and kept me pretty warm. I would definitely move it up on the list of solid, affordable coats especially for those that don't want to spend $1k+. Next time I wear it, ill post a pic on the WAYW thread.

double breasted long overcoat or long pea coat

pistos

arkirshner

pistos

pistos

arkirshner

pistos

Steve Smith

momsdoc

arkirshner

Chouan

Steve Smith

sskim3

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