RRL Wool Pea Coat

[Deleted member 16736]

Price tag notwithstanding, what do you guys think about this pea coat? It says it's a faithful reproduction of a 30's naval pea coat. The horn buttons are a nice touch and it's 100% wool.

http://www.ralphlauren.com/product/...370304&utm_source=Google_PLA&utm_campaign=CSE

 

[Peacoat]

The text says 13 star buttons, which I would expect to see on a coat of the 1930s, but the pictures don't show any stars--that I can see. I have heard these are nice coats, however.

I think I would rather find a WWII peacoat for about $175 (if I needed another peacoat!) and put the remainder of the $700 into a Lost Worlds leather peacoat.

 

[Deleted member 16736]

I hear you. For me, finding a coat in my size is a challenge, and a 70 year old coat is still a 70 year old coat and will undoubtedly have issues and need replacing sooner or later. What will I replace it with, an 80 year old coat? I like the idea of buying once, buying well, and never buying again. RRL has a good reputation and I like their merchandise. I would buy this coat if I had the bucks. But I hear you.

 

[Peacoat]

If you take care of that 70 year old coat, it will be around for your grandchildren to wear--if you can find one to fit. The degradation process for wool is much different than leather.

Don't know which era you are looking for, but finding something to fit will be much easier to find in the vintage styles (1945--1979), rather than the WWII models. Easier yet would be the current issue models. Sterlingwear has their "Mil. Spec." model for civilians. This is the same model as is currently issued. I think the price is about $350.

Buzz Rickson also makes a high end repro model. Unfortunately, they are more pricey than the one linked to above. They do show up on eBay occasionally.

 

[JanSolo]

I like Double RL stuff. It's usually very well put together. But if you are really prepared to pay that much for a peacoat (and you don't want to buy vintage) I would very much recommend a Sterlingwear one.

If you still have some time left I would check ebay for their DSCP peacoat which a little sturdier and heavier than their civilian model which is a good coat in its own rights. The DSCP version is also 100% wool vs. 80/20 for the civilian peacoat they make.

Both will be heavier and probably warmer than the RRL version (judging by thickness of fabric).

Here is a large size DSCP Sterlingwear:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DSCP-Sterli...85?pt=US_CSA_MC_Outerwear&hash=item4abf2b6899

Have you ever considered the Buzz Rickson WW2 coat?

It's very well made, super heavy and has a number of really cool details (corduroy pockets, throat latch, small lapels, big collar, trapunto stitching behind the collar etc

Here it is:

 

[Deleted member 16736]

Thanks, Jan. I like the BR one. It's more vintage-looking than the current Sterlingwear jacket. I guess it's heavier than the RRL, but I don't know. What would my size be? I'm a 41" measured chest and the 42 measures 45" and the 44 measures 48". Thanks for your help.

Then there's the Real McCoys version, which is slimmer.

http://blueingreensoho.com/site/ind...id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=28&vmcchk=1

 

[JanSolo]

At 41 inch chest size 40 will be your size without doubt. The Buzz is quite slim but not as long in the body as the RealMcCoys version. I can't imagine any peacoat being heavier than the BR version. The fabric is very heavy and super densely woven. the detailing is also very good. IMO the jacket is worth the money. I know it's quite an investment but that coat will last a lifetime no doubt.

 

[Deleted member 16736]

Thanks, Jan.

 

[JanSolo]

Here'sa link with more pics and some measurements:

http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/qs-gate/item/buzz11554/

Unit (cm) (36)(38) (40) (42) (44)
Width of the body 48 51 53 56 59
Length 72 74 78 80 82
The width of the shoulders 42 43 44 47 49

Another pic that shows that the BR length:

 

[Ishmael]

Freewheelers make a nice one, for a very pretty penny.

http://freewheelers.co.jp/blog/archives/3024
http://blog.livedoor.jp/mcfly_store/archives/50516814.html

Just an idea. Have you ever looked at the BR Mackinaw Coat? I tried on the BR Peacoat and Mackinaw and definitely preferred the latter.

 

[Peacoat]

What would my size be? I'm a 41" measured chest and the 42 measures 45" and the 44 measures 48". Thanks for your help.

Jan told you right. If you want to wear a sweater under the coat, and most people in cold climates do, a size 42 is your best bet. If you want a trim fit that probably won't give enough room for a sweater, then you can go down to a size 40. The sleeves might be a bit short in a 40 if you have long arms. Usually there is enough excess material inside the cuff to let the the sleeves out an inch or so.

I recently revised the fitting guide in the Peacoat Dating sticky at the top of the Outerwear section. If you haven't already done so, you ought to read it if you are interested in getting a peacoat. The guide is almost at the end.

 

[Jeff M]

The RL peacoat is made from melton wool, not kersey.
Kersey's what I look for when purchasing a "vintage" peacoat. I start with that, then look at size, condition and price. If it isn't kersey, I'm not interested.
Smooth, dense, warm, nicely water resistant. If taken care of looks fantastic even if decades old.
I just purchased a size 44 long peacoat for my son for Christmas. Manufactured, from what I can tell, around 1949 (has the exact same style tag that the 1949 peacoat that Peacoat shows a picture of in his "Dating peacoats" thread.)
Cost me $250. Took me a LONG time to find a "vintage" peacoat from that era in that size.
Needed some lining repair and the buttons re-sewn.
That, plus cleaning, came to $49.
You really have to look to find any wear on it.

 

[too much coffee]

Yes, Jeff is right. The kersey wool is definitely worth getting over the lighter weight melton. Feels much richer and denser.
I was out and about in Spokane today......35 degrees with a 15MPH wind, driving rain and sleet. My kersey wool peacoat just beaded up like a freshly waxed Porche.
I actually prefer my peacoat to my $330.00 Filson Double Mackinaw. The RRL peacoat is very nice I'm sure, but to me it's not like having a real USN issued vintage peacoat. Whole lot cheaper as well.

 

[Sloan1874]

Freewheelers make a nice one, for a very pretty penny.

http://freewheelers.co.jp/blog/archives/3024
http://blog.livedoor.jp/mcfly_store/archives/50516814.html

Just an idea. Have you ever looked at the BR Mackinaw Coat? I tried on the BR Peacoat and Mackinaw and definitely preferred the latter.

Love the Freewheelers, particularly like the slightly depressed waist on it and the slightly over-sized collar.

 

[Ishmael]

Yeah, the collar is sweet. As is the silhouette.