Peacoat from Army/Navy Surplus?

[CopperKettle]

Hey guys,

Newbie here. I'm working hard to re-work my wardrobe on a relatively small budget, but one thing I want to get right is a good, winter peacoat. I think the style really fits my personality and lifestyle. That said, I'm shopping around and it looks like the favorite brand around here (and, minus the vintage coats, at the Fedora Lounge) is Sterlingware.

I can measure myself and order a coat online, but I don't think anything can quite replace trying on actual coats and seeing what really fits. That said, there is a nearby Army Navy surplus store with a small warehouse with pea coats, where I can tangible try some coats on. Is there any reason I should avoid purchasing a peacoat from this store? I think I even read somewhere that Sterlingware actually supplies the Navy with their pea coats.

Any advice is welcome.

Cheers!

 

[Scuttlebutt]

I really wouldn't buy a peacoat unless it was a surplus or strictly a military style coat. They tend to be the warmest, most durable coats you can buy. Anything else in my opinion is tacky.

If you find one and you like it, grab it. And yes, Sterlingwear supplied a lot of the Navy peacoats.


Hooyah!

 

[factorial]

Many (most?) of the army/navy surplus stores sell Sterlingwear coats. They're good coats. The only reason to go with a different brand of peacoat would be to get one in a color other than black or navy, or to get one made out of nicer fabric (the Sterlingwear wool is more "utilitarian" than "luxe&quot.

 

[Shirtmaven]

where do you live?
My sister now owns the family Army& Navy store in Philadelphia I. Goldberg
they have the basic assortment of new Pea coats.
but also some used.
as well as an Italian version that is fantastic.

 

[Panzeraxe II]

Originally Posted by factorial

Many (most?) of the army/navy surplus stores sell Sterlingwear coats. They're good coats. The only reason to go with a different brand of peacoat would be to get one in a color other than black or navy, or to get one made out of nicer fabric (the Sterlingwear wool is more "utilitarian" than "luxe").

Sterlingwear is good - I would just be careful with sizing - they run very big.

 

[arc]

There's a giant thread about peacoats and Sterlingwear over in the Streetwear and Denim board.

They have a good return policy. Just order a couple around your prescribed size (check that thread in SW&D for specifics, but try sizing down ~2) and return the one you like less. Only have to pay shipping.

Definitely go to the surplus store though, you might be able to pick up a great cheap coat there, especially while it's still summer and people aren't thinking about winter coats. Anything that's legitimate navy surplus will hold its own with Sterlingware, and have a bit more credibility, since the RTW Sterlingwear coats aren't exactly the same as their navy spec ones.

 

[Big T]

Go for it! Just several weeks ago I was at a nearby Army/Navy surplus store looking at peacoats, among several other things. Don't know the manufacture, but they appear very well made and very similar to the one my Dad wore in WWII! I wore that one in the early 70s in college and have no idea where it disappeared to (though it wouldn't me me anyhow).