MEGA PEACOAT THREAD - 61 threads merged - all Peacoat questions HERE

[Danny Noonan]

I'm considering buying a fidelity pea coat in a size 34. This is more of a general coat sizing question than anything. On the fidelity site it says the sleeve length (center of back, over shoulder, to sleeve bottom) is 34 inches, which is the same as my sleeve measurement. My question is, for an outer coat, would I want the sleeves to be a little longer, since I'll probably be wearing a shirt and sweater underneath? Size 36 only has a half inch difference (34.5) in sleeve length. I'd definitely need to get a 36 tailored in the body, but that'd be better than getting a coat with sleeves that don't look right.

Thoughts appreciated. Thanks!

 

[ManofKent]



If you guys think I should get a larger fit let me know and I'll post pics of the 38S.

My guess is a 38 would look better to my eye. From what I can tell from those photos it doesn't look unduly tight, but looks more like a blazer than a coat, but I suspect I like peacoats to fit looser than most here.

 

[clarinetplayer]

I ordered a Sterlingwear "spec" peacoat, and it arrived today.

It is definitely BLACK. And, it says so on the shipping papers.

I am 5' 7", waist 32, weigh 146 lbs.
p2p 18.5 inches

When I ordered, the sales person insisted that I should get the 40R "as they run slim" and "to allow for a sweater". So, I did.

With a sweater underneath, there is still plenty of room. Maybe, too much room. Wish I had a 38 to compare.

The sleeve length covers the the wrist

There is satin lining in the shoulders and sleeves.

The temp is in the upper 20s, and the coat is very warm. And, it is not stiff.



The body of the coat is lined with a smooth material. Not rough thinsulate quilting.



US Navy issue label?




Collar popped. Wearing a big shetland sweater. Plenty of room with freedom to move shoulders.

 

[ahjota]

Sterlingwear regularly recommends sizing up one or two sizes. This recommendation is targeted at people who haven't kept in shape -- i.e. people with guts.

Read Peacoat's posts, and buy true to size. I'm guessing you should have gotten a 36R.

 

[chill1217]

thanks for the input. i exchanged my coat for a size up, and it feels much more comfortable. i like the look of the smaller peacoat better, but i decided it wasn't worth compromising the functionality of a winter coat in a cold, northeast winter.

To me it looks a tad too small, ideally IMO you should be able to fit a thick sweater underneath without restriction, but some people like wearing them on the small side - it's really up to you...

 

[Doctor Damage]

Another pea coat option, for those of you who are into military surplus, is the Russian pea coat or “bushlat”. They show up on eBay now and then, usually in good condition. They’re 100% wool, have ten shiny buttons, plain cuffs, horizontal pockets, epaulets, and are much shorter in length than the USN pea coats. The cloth is a military style wool, which means thin but dense (not thick and plush like civilian wool).

Here’s a photo of Russian sailors wearing the current version of the coat, plus a good photo of a coat lying flat. (the older version had 12 buttons and fake cuffs; I don’t know when they switched, but both versions show up on eBay). The following link provides sizing charts for Russian military clothing: http://spetsnaz.su/sizes/en/

 

[TyCooN]



I ordered a Sterlingwear "spec" peacoat, and it arrived today.
It is definitely BLACK. And, it says so on the shipping papers.
I am 5' 7", waist 32, weigh 146 lbs.
p2p 18.5 inches
When I ordered, the sales person insisted that I should get the 40R "as they run slim" and "to allow for a sweater". So, I did.
With a sweater underneath, there is still plenty of room. Maybe, too much room. Wish I had a 38 to compare.
The sleeve length covers the the wrist
There is satin lining in the shoulders and sleeves.
The temp is in the upper 20s, and the coat is very warm. And, it is not stiff.

The body of the coat is lined with a smooth material. Not rough thinsulate quilting.

US Navy issue label?

Collar popped. Wearing a big shetland sweater. Plenty of room with freedom to move shoulders.

thanks for posting pics

it really looks more midnight navy than it does black

You would look much better in a 38R. Is it too late to exchange?

 

[stevent]



thanks for posting pics
it really looks more midnight navy than it does black
You would look much better in a 38R. Is it too late to exchange?

Yeah that looks Navy to me as well

 

[clarinetplayer]



thanks for posting pics
it really looks more midnight navy than it does black
You would look much better in a 38R. Is it too late to exchange?

The picture makes the color look dark blue. But, trust me, it is black. I compared the color with my midnight blue duffel coat.
It is not too late to send back, and I am going to do so and get the 38R which should be spot on for the fit.

It is a great coat.

 

[ManofKent]



The picture makes the color look dark blue. But, trust me, it is black. I compared the color with my midnight blue duffel coat.
It is not too late to send back, and I am going to do so and get the 38R which should be spot on for the fit.
It is a great coat.

It doesn't look horrendously big - if you look at 50's photos they tended to be worn much looser than is the norm today, but I think a 38 will probably look better.

 

[clarinetplayer]

There was just a brief hint of sun, so I ran outside to see the color in the natural light. In sunlight, there is just a hint of blue. But, it is black in "ordinary" light.

Before boxing it back up to send back for an exchange, I measured the p2p, and it is 21 inches (if I did it correctly.) This is for a 40R "spec" Sterlingwear.

FYI: There is a 15 day period for exchange.

I really like the deep pockets.

 

[clarinetplayer]



It doesn't look horrendously big - if you look at 50's photos they tended to be worn much looser than is the norm today, but I think a 38 will probably look better.

I agree about the vintage photos. The coat has got to be functional. I'm sure that the 38 will still have enough room and be just a tad better fitting.

 

[boogaboogabooga]



thanks for posting pics
it really looks more midnight navy than it does black
You would look much better in a 38R. Is it too late to exchange?

Thanks for posting images of the lining and tags, as well as the fit. You saved everyone a bit of waiting and me a bit of work. For what it's worth, I think you should size down a size , but I think I'm going to be exceptional in preferring the 36S to the 38S for myself (I think, I took pictures and will post them as soon as I get done with some errands), so take that with a grain of salt.

 

[boogaboogabooga]

36S front



36S side



38S front



38S side

 

[boogaboogabooga]

36S front close up



36S side close up



38S front close up



38S side close up



Not the best close ups, but I was tired (hence the slump, it's really hard to stand up straight when you're keel over tired) and I was constantly explaining to my "photographer" how to take the pictures. A little less than ideal, but if you're willing to compare them to the other pics where I'm a bit more exposed they should prove useful. I hope.

Also, I'm wearing my sweater with all the coats. I compulsively put on long underwear bottoms as well. The sun was out. It was 72 inside. It was ******* brutal.