Looking to Purchase a Pea Coat -- Schott or Sterlingwear?

I've done several fairly extensive searches, but am still finding myself wavering between the two.

One of the major benefits of Schott is that they offer their peacoats in navy. Sterlingwear forces you to pick between black and light grey.

There are some posters who have said that Sterlingwear is of higher quality, but there are so few posts that directly compare the two I'm not sure a conclusion can be drawn.

What's your experience with the two and which one would you pick?

FYI, I am 5'8" with a 38 chest and a slim waist. I don't want the pea coat to go too far past my waist because it'll make me look short. Going by what I've read, I should order one size down (36 Short) for Sterlingwear. Schott apparently runs much truer to size, so a 38 Regular should be fine.

Any opinions would be much appreciated!

Are you sure you "don't want the coat to go too far past your waist"? I don't think a "wading jacket" is what you really want is it?

Originally Posted by TCN

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Are you sure you "don't want the coat to go too far past your waist"? I don't think a "wading jacket" is what you really want is it?

Thanks for the response.

More specifically, what I meant was I didn't want anything that went all the way down to my knees. If it stay up around my mid-thighs, that is fine.

Do you have any experience with Schott or Sterlingwear?

Originally Posted by SirSuturesALot

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Thanks for the response.

More specifically, what I meant was I didn't want anything that went all the way down to my knees. If it stay up around my mid-thighs, that is fine.

Do you have any experience with Schott or Sterlingwear?

Minimal, I haven't worn a peacoat in at least ten years. Here's the thing, people associate Sterlingwear with peacoats, but I would seriously doubt that the quality would be much different than Schott or anyone else. There isn't as much room for quality deviation with peacoats as there is with suits, shoes, or even proper overcoats.

At 5'8", you'd be fine with a regular size, but if it's hitting you too long, go with the largest of the boys' sizes (do both makes offer a short?).

I'm not so sure about the going down in size on a peacoat, unless they run large . . . or you're in a punk band.

I own both, the Sterlingwear is a navigator model which does not have a heavy lining (just satin). I would not size down with the sterlingwear. I wear a 40 and the
Sterlingwear in that size is snug. The Schott peacoats I have give you more room, and perhaps you could size down one with the Schott. Quality wise I cannot detect much of a difference. I have read that Schott uses reprocessed wool whereas Sterlingwear does not. But if you get the Sterlingwear in any color other than black it is not 100% wool if that matters. I was told the non 100% wool models are more durable by someone at Sterlingwear. The oxford grey in the sterlingwear is a darker grey than the oxford in the Schott. Also, if you desire navy blue color then you will out of the two have to get the Schott. Oh, and the Sterlingwear costs less and seems to offer more variations, though Schott would design to your desires (at more cost?). Overall, I think they are both great and you cannot go wrong with either.

I can only offer an opinion on the quality of Schott coats. I live in New York and have had Schott coats for years and love them. They're also very responsive to their blog on the website www.schottnyc.com
Enjoy whichever coat you go with.

My true size is 38S. I ordered a Sterlingwear Authentic pea coat in size 36S because an overwhelming number of reports from this forum recommended sizing down. Can anyone with a Sterlingwear Authentic confirm this recommendation? The most I'll wear underneath the pea coat is a collared shirt + cashmere sweater + scarf. Thanks!

I am inclined to think it will be a bit tight in the shoulders and that is with you only wearing what you plan to wear. I suppose when it arrives you will know for sure.
They don't stock the grey ones and I had to special order it, and it took a handful of weeks. I assume you purchased the black model in the authentic which they have in stock so you will get it soon. Every site that has the sterlingwear says to size two up! On this site I have seen several say size 1 or 2 down. If I had gotten a 38 in the coat I have, I would have a hard time even getting it on. I would again recommend getting your normal size.

huh?

I'm looking to buy a Sterlingwear peacoat as well and have heard conflicting things.

1. go a size down from your true chest size

2. get you true chest size

I think I'll just order both and return the worse fitting one...I'm sick of all the research.

Originally Posted by padronlover

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I'm looking to buy a Sterlingwear peacoat as well and have heard conflicting things.

1. go a size down from your true chest size

2. get you true chest size

I think I'll just order both and return the worse fitting one...I'm sick of all the research.
If you're in Seattle, I'm about 90% sure that Federal Surplus down on 1st in Belltown has the Sterlingwear peacoats among others... www.gr8gear.com

Originally Posted by padronlover

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I'm looking to buy a Sterlingwear peacoat as well and have heard conflicting things.

1. go a size down from your true chest size

2. get you true chest size

I think I'll just order both and return the worse fitting one...I'm sick of all the research.

After reading the above posts, I'm following the same strategy. It seems this topic doesn't invite clear sizing recommendations.

huh? Huh what? I stated he should get his normal size. I find the different recomendations a bit odd as well and simply went with what seemed logical, my normal size and voila it fits well.

I bought a Sterlingwear pea coat in grey this year. I recommend sizing down one if you want a slim fit (i'm a 38 and bought a 36). I'll put a pic up tonight.

LOL unbridled_id and Homme are exactly what i'm talking about! the ever so contradicting advices...

Homme, I would love to see some pics of how it fits.

J, thanks for the heads up but I'm currently in the east coast