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Best Pea Coat? Looking for recommendations

13K views 31 replies 18 participants last post by  ChadHahn  
#1 ·
I am looking at acquiring a classic pea coat, and I am wondering what my best value for money options are if anyone can recommend any?

How would this work?

Or are there cheaper and better value out there?
 
#4 ·
Schott's is the supplier to the U.S. Navy. That price is lower than the link I gave above. Unless you can find one identical to it on eBay, you've struck gold. Get it.
 
#16 ·
Schott's is the supplier to the U.S. Navy.
Schott is an official supplier to the U. S. Navy.
No, they're not. Sterlingwear makes the official USN pea coats.

People who are keen should go check out the massive USN pea coat thread on Fedora Lounge, which is by far the best and most reliable USN pea coat resource on the interweb.
 
#6 · (Edited)
Schott is an official supplier to the U. S. Navy. It was designed as a mil-spec type work coat for cold weather work in harsh conditions. It suits those criteria perfectly. It is also heavy, stiff as a board and snug fitting through the chest and shoulders somewhat restricting movement. For what they are, Schott coats are high quality, and will last forever.

But, the navy mil-spec pea coat is not the only classic pea coat unless you define classic exclusively in terms of U.S. Navy mil-spec. Other pea coats have been made in many parts of the world, with other variations, for even longer than the mil-spec existed.

Additionally, pea coats are being made by a variety of manufactures that, depending upon the wearers' preference, may be both more comfortable, and better suited to the wearer's needs. I.e., more civilized.
 
#8 ·
I checked on their current offering, and it looks like a very handsome, high quality coat.

Brooks also has a pea coat I think handsome and high quality -

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"Timeless design based from our archives. Wool from Barberis with wind and water resistant membrane. Traditional diamond quilted interior and corduroy details on pocket facings. Thermore® filled. "

While it's less than ideal for wear on the deck of a sub while tying off a line in a freezing gale when docking, for ordinary civilian wear the quality of materials and style, cost no object, has mil-spec pea coats beat all hollow.
 
#9 ·
You must strike, while the iron is hot! I think that's an old saying/offer of advice that sees but limited use these days. In any event, O'Connell's is one of my go-to men's stores and as has been stated above their price on that Schott's is indeed remarkable. Schott's is old time quality...buy it now! ;)
 
#11 ·
With freezing rain and snow in the Portland forecast, I ordered the Schott's and paid for 2nd day UPS. It's not that I'm short of warm clothing; it's that the price was impossible to resist. 😁 It will be the bee's knees for barhopping through our local brewpubs on nasty nights. :beer: Plus it will complete my U-boat commander imitation with a white, wool turtleneck if the weather gets really bitter.:laughing:
 
#12 ·
If by classic you mean not just the look but also the functionality, then make sure it's made of thick wool (like the specimens suggested above). My Gloverall version is made from thick stiff wool and the coat can almost stand up by itself when I take it off. When the temperature drops below -15 C (5 F), this is the coat I'm using..

Several manufacturers are offering 'peacoats' made from a flimsy thin mateial. They may have the classic look, but not the functionality.
 
#14 ·
As a starving, just graduate of college, I bought my Brooks Brothers pea coat (Made in the USA, quilted plaid lining) for roughly $300 back in 1998. Still wearing it, and it looks as good as new. You get what you pay for!
 
#19 ·
Sure, but they don't follow the specs. The coats they offer, at least on their website, do not follow the mil spec at all. The real military coats can are an acquired taste, one which I never acquired: wide square shoulders with thick shoulder pads, handwarmer pockets a bit too high to be comfortable, rear vent that's cut really high and easily blows open, blended wool shell that looks cheap, etc.
 
#23 ·
I agree with your conclusion(s). As most in these parts know, I am confirmed fire breathing fan of our military services. However even I will tell you, buying a milspec'd garment is not the best way to insure the purchased of the most finely made garment(s). Don't get me wrong, I oh-so-love my old uniforms, be they Class A's, Class 2's, flight suits, fatigues, and other crew uniforms. The wife will tell you, I seem to still have a complete issue of all still taking up space in my closet(s), but I will tell you the items do not come close to reflecting the best tailoring in my closet. Perhaps Shott's non milspec coat is still the better choice! LOL. ;)
 
#21 ·
If I bought a Pea Coat now, I probably would NOT buy a "real" Pea Coat. I'd buy the look, but get something less heavy/stiff.

I wore a traditional Pea Coat all through college (and many years after), and while I enjoyed it, it was often just too stiff and heavy. I'm not joking when I say you could button the coat empty, and with a bit of finagling stand the thing upright. It's the horsehide motorcycle jacket of wool coats.

I do think the "real" thing is worth having, but be advised that you will want to take it off as soon as you're indoors!

DH
 
#22 · (Edited)
Considering that the OP lives in the U.K. the Schott's pea coat may not be an option.

I suggest he look at Montgomery, England ,"The oldest duffle coat manufacturer in the world" - making duffle coats since the 1890"s for a pea coat.
https://www.originalmontgomery.com/collections/mens-duffle-coats

I never heard of Montgomery but they seem to make a pretty decent duffle coat. See this article from Weejun, an Ivy style blogger from the mid teens, on the history of Montgomery and his impressions of a Montgomery duffle coat.

https://www.theweejun.com/one-you-can-buy-original-montgomery-duffle-coat/

They also sell their coats on Amazon.uk under Duffle Coats U.K. and they have a killer of a deal on at the moment for a camel colored pea coat which I rather like - £75 (about $96) but only XS and Xl are still available.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Original-M...k/Original-Montgomery-Mens-Lined-Camel/dp/B00AW8VRFM?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1
CAMEL PEA COAT.jpg
 
#25 ·
About a year ago I ordered a duffle coat from Schott and it was very high quality I thought, but cut so trim that it didn't fit me well at all in the torso, so I had to send it back.

This thread makes me miss my father's old US Navy pea coat, which was handed down to me and which I wore in younger days. I outgrew it, held on to it for at least a decade, and eventually brought myself to donate it.
 
#28 ·
The Schott's coat arrived today. I am impressed. I bought a peacoat a year or so ago off eBay or some such and the Schott's has at least 50% more mass. It fits quite well and looks sharp. I may have to take a walk this evening simply to appreciate it's insulating properties. Should I decide to do the Christmas Markets on the Rhine cruise next December, I will be well-armed.

I may even decide to build a submarine . . .
 
#29 ·
I have wanted a Schott for years but have never pulled the trigger. We visited a Schott store in Les Halles in Paris. They had a very nice selection so if the OP wants to see one in person he could jump on the Euro Star.
 
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