Cause Moe
Distinguished Member
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2012
- Messages
- 4,271
- Reaction score
- 7,865
That's a fine coat, with a very fine history and provenance.This #polocoat is a recent acquisition and one of my most amazing garments for several reasons.
First of, it is a vintage heavyweight worsted cashmere. I have my preference on cloth's weight and weave. I don't throw the term heavyweight around easily. This overcoat clocks in around 9lbs (approximately 4kgs!) It is also worsted cashmere and very dense. There are some moth nibbles which I am guessing the moths just gave up because of how dense and thick the cloth is.![]()
Second, this is more important. It belonged to WW2 veteran Colonel James R. Perry, Jr.! (RIP!) He flew the B-24 during the war. He retired as a Colonel from Westover AFB in Massachusetts in June 1965. He commissioned this polocoat from the UK and probably in the 1970s. The cloth label has "West of England Cashmere manufactured by Strachan and Co, Ltd. established in the coaching days." It has another label with "needled on Savile Row," with beautiful handwork throughout.
I purchased this from his daughter and she was a joy to work with (Thank you Michelle!)
I was wearing it without any alterations, please witness how this polocoat fit and draped on me in the recent snowstorm. It is heavy, warm, and most importantly, has a story I honor on my shoulders.
View attachment 2331323 View attachment 2331321 View attachment 2331309 View attachment 2331311 View attachment 2331319 View attachment 2331317 View attachment 2331315 View attachment 2331313
And it lacks the one thing I like least about many polos: the mailbox pockets; good on Col. Perry for his elegant choice. I have a thrifted vintage coat (a Chesterfield) with a moth hole. I considered having it repaired by a re-weaver, but I decided to let it stay. Coats have histories, and the only history I know about my Chesterfield is provided by the mothworks.