A coat that has been worn for centuries by sailors, naval officers and civilians, its distinctive characteristics have allowed it t withstand the test of time.
Here is our basic guide to the pea coat.
History
Originally from the 18th century when it was worn by sailors in the British Navy, it was designed to be warm and functional in cold and wet weather. The name Pea coat comes from a Dutch word ‘Pii’ which translates to coarse wool.
The coat was adopted by the American navy and later civilians in the mid-20th century and hasn’t left menswear fashion since.
Fabric
Typically made from heavy wool blended cloth making it durable, extremally warm and to an extent waterproof but in modern manufacturing, the cloth is often treated with water-resistant chemicals to make it fully waterproof.
People have made different versions such as summer pea coats in lighter-weight wool or wax-treated cotton fabric but people usually stick to the traditional fabrics.
Style
The Pea coat’s distinctive characteristics are that it has a double-breasted front, wide lapels and large buttons. It’s normally hemmed at the hips or mid-thigh and has a boxy straight cut.
It also has two vertical pockets for ease of access on the outside and at least one pocket on the inside
Colour
Traditionally the Pea cot is made in a navy blue colour but since it has been repeated and changed over the years in fashion it now comes in a huge range of colours including black, grey and brown. Navy blue still remains the most classic and versatile colour for the pea coat though and it fits beautifully with a wide range of outfits.
The pea coat is very much so a timeless versatile coat perfect for the colder months. Its high quality and classic design make it a great investment piece that can most definitely last you for years to come.
