I do like a peacoat. I live near the U.S. Airforce base near Edzell, Scotland, and managed to come across an original one like yours for a fiver in a charity shop.
Hello Ash I’ve been using pea coats since I was a young man. I’ve bought one every 10-15 years so around 3-4 over the years. It has always been one of my most cherished clothing items. I also have a navy jumper ‘sailor sweater’ as we call them in Denmark. It’s 20 years old this year and it’s actually close to new. I got it for 150 pounds and they still sell them for that price. It really pays off to buy quality and far cheaper in the long run 👍🏼
My dad was a merchant seaman. When I started motorcycling in the 70's he acquired a marine quality oiled wool sweater for me. From memory a little too warm for the mild climate of South East Essex and impossible to wear in the superheated shopping centres! To this day I still prefer wool sweaters over modern fabrics. The cost of your items appear very reasonable when you compare it to the fashionable made in Pakistan puffer jacket.
Good luck on the water - I was a frequent sailor many years ago (mostly Baltic sea around Denmark) and have such fond memories of that time in my life. Splice that mainbrace!!
I've got an ex-U.S. Navy pea coat in my closet. I haven't worn it so far this winter; it hasn't been all that cold in Chicago. I've also got a bridge coat; think of a knee-length pea coat with gilt anchor buttons on it. Officers wore these. I changed out the gilt buttons for antique silver coin looking buttons. I wear it as a dress coat. (went to the Beale website. They don't make my size)
I've always loved the style of sailors. Both navy or civ. Summer or Winter. As much as I love overcoats, I have to admit they can be a pain when it comes from getting into or out of a car so that another reason why a Pea coat is a good option.
Scotland is the placs to look faire isles cable knits tweed they got it all here are some good brands that i used before:(isleofharristweed,) (darcy clothing) (wiliam lockie) there are way more but i cant come up with it now!
Two more stylish - and practical - items of attire to add to my wardrobe wish list. I particularly like the the idea of buying quality clothing made of natural fibres sourced and manufactured in the UK.👍
The USN peacoat was a take (copy even) on the Royal Navy officers REEFER JACKET. These days the most popular peacoat is made by Schott. Not a cheap jacket at £350 but worth every penny. 👌
Great video as always Ash. I like the presentation style and how you include the history of the garments. I have a pea coat as well and it is my everyday coat. I like all the deep pockets and the ease to move around in it when I go to the office or go for groceries. I was sad to hear that the US Navy has replaced the pea coat with a cold weather parka in 2019. I have also heard that most sailors do not like this new garment. I have also two greatcoats. One is from the Italian Airforce and the other from the Polish Navy. They can be a little bit of a hassle when you enter or exit a car. When I go on a walk and it is bitterly cold in the US Midwest, there is nothing better than a greatcoat that reaches below my knees. It keeps me super warm. I refuse to wear a puffer jacket because I look like the Michelin Man. I found my love for wool last year and replaced all my fleece sweaters with woolen jumpers and cardigans . I will never buy a fleece sweater again.
Have you tried merino wool base layer under a sweater or any shirt. They weigh 200 grams. Silk like in feel. They do a great job of wicking vapor to the outer layer of clothing. Antibacterial.
I love my pea coats. I have three: a heavy navy one which has a padded liner, a lighter navy one with no liner, a charcoal gray one. I choose whichever one works best based on the day’s temperature and the clothes over which I will wear it.
I purchased my peacoat nearly 25 years ago and I look forward to wearing it every winter. I match it up with my black wool sailor's cap and a gray wool scarf for the coldest of days. I actually mourn having to hang it up for warmer weather.
Your description of the *Arthur Beale* jumper (AU English) reminds me of my *Harris Tweed* jacket/coat, water resistant, like _RainX_ for the windshield! I found out my Harris Tweed jacks are worth $650-700 each, although I brought then second hand for around $2-5 each! I've got 2 of them!
@@jonstern7511 😀 It's nice to have 2 or more Harris Tweed jacket (or even a 3 piece suit) as while wearing one jacket, the other can rest, like shoes! 😀🧥👞. As you may of read, I brought my 2nd hand, and I'm still searching for the trousers and waist coats to match! Have you been to op-shops/thrift shops? Sometimes they may have Harris Tweed jackets?
A word of caution about pea coats. Many modern brands offer this style of coat, but their focus is often entirely on style and cost. A true pea coat (such as the one you have) should be made of melton wool, and should be surprisingly heavy when lifted. The brands found on High Street (as you Brits say) or at fashion houses or department stores are often light weight and blended fabrics.
When I got mine, I fell in love with how well the collar seals up. One stylist said to avoid anchor buttons unless you are 10; it was the most stupid thing I have ever heard. The whole point of a pea coat is to show its' nautical history. I got silver metal buttons, apparently the brass buttons were for officers. If buying USA surplus you should get the older ones as the newer ones were thinner and had to have a insulating foam like liner put in them. looking forward to eading the comments about other's experience with them.
49 yo guy in central GA, U.S. So, of course my pea coat goes into full action when the evening/night dips below 50F. Heheh. I’ve yet to find a good deal on a real surplus one. Still searching. Might have to grab a Sterlingwear new. Great things about this wonderful garment is that it gives full vibes of the man via what it is: tough, rough and ready, smart, sharp, utilitarian, adaptable, attractive. To me, as an American, feels almost like something an American iteration or actual Bond may wear for a million reasons during the Cold War, and cold indeed, considering. Heheh Also, I dig the sweater, but…I wonder….isn’t there a traditional Irish fisherman sweater (I cannot recall the name if any), that’s quite thick but fitting and a dark grey)? I’d feel that would couple better. Or even a British Commando Sweater. You missed one tiny part: what to wear ‘below’. As an American, of course I’d say denim, but qualify that they be dark. Or black chinos. Also, heavier, thick, utilitarian Oxfords, or low-cut ‘tactical’ boots. I’m not going to wear sneakers unless they’re thick and dark and super heavy duty. Heh. One real strength of this garment is that absolutely no one looks cheesy or silly at all, quite the opposite, when that strong collar is popped up. It always looks cool! 😁 Bond. Robert Redford in “Three Days of the Condor”, and all of us! lol I stumbled upon this vid quite randomly and so glad I did. Enjoyed it immensely. Thank you sir, for quality content and your erudite examination of your subject. I look forward to more. Cheers! 🙂
I have spent my life in the outdoors in mid America where the temperatures have a range within a day or so from -20 F with a wind chill of -40 F to two days later plus 45 F. I have a number of winter coats I have acquired over the years. I have bought coats off season for rock bottom prices. My Pea coat cost me new $5 USD on a hot summer day around 100 F degrees. It is a single-breasted gray version with handwarmer as well as patch pockets very well constructed from the old American Penelton Mills It is not as warm as one of my goose down coats but comfortable to zero F degrees and with style. Several years ago, I also found a never worn Burberry double breasted coat for $100 USD at an estate sale. Also, verry wind resistant gabardine. I have had the same experience finding wool sweaters. Many years ago, my English neighbors taught me to lanoline my wool sweaters. This makes them repel water and limits the amount of water they can absorb. If they get soaked in a hard rain it is a matter of squeezing the water out and they are damp not soaking wet but still warm. My Pea Coat is the most versatile in my closet.
I have a US pea coat from the same era. There ones are made of a wool cakes Melton and have a padded lining. The earlier ones were made of Kersey wool which did not need a padded lining on account of its tight weave. The early ones are also blue Esther than the more recent black.
I regularly wear my '90s North Face Nuptse jacket, which I bought for climbing outdoors where you need instant heat between climbs. Though since I bought it, North Face has been reinvented as an urban youth brand. I have a peacoat, but when the temperature is below zero degrees Celsius and there's snow and ice everywhere, the down filled North Face jacket is the best option for me coupled with a pair of insulated snow boots. However if I had to buy another one today, I'd buy either Rab or Mountain Equipment, as North Face have gone up in price and aren't made to the same quality as they used to be. When wearing utility clothing, I believe that context is key, including location and the conditions at hand.
I have a lovely mid-weight Crombie style coat by Ermenegildo Zegna and a Burberry trench-coat from Ebay. I also have a great coat my father received when he was demobbed, so heavy and warm!
I've been wearing a pea coat since I was in my early twenties, when I wore graphic t-shirts, blue jeans, and white athletic socks. I thought it was a very classy coat, even back then. Perhaps it helped take me along this route of dressing well
I usually pair my pea coat with a woolly pully. They've seen me through some pretty nasty conditions and shrugged all of it off. Also, for being such simple garments, they generate A LOT of compliments.
As with my recent acquisition of the classic Harrington jacket, (thanks for the tip, Ash 👍) I have now also sourced a pre loved pea coat, by Baracuta no less 😀 😀. A great bargain and it fits beautifully. Mrs markywellsboy really likes it on me. I'm looking forward to winter, lol
Many thanks for this excellent video! I am a huge fan of pea coats ever since watching Paul Shelley as Major Nick Bradley in Secret Army on TV. The pea coat is my go to coat in many given situations and if I could only choice one coat it would be it, although I love my Fox British Warm, Crombie, Covert Coats and Duffles. It's highly functional, warm and rugged, yet stylish, with a very good fit and lots of convenient pockets. My favorite is my Private White/Simon Crompton Bridge Coat, and I also have another Pea Coat from Private White with a Sherling collar, and my old trusty Churchill from Gloverall. I really like the submariner look with the white Arthur Beale Oiled Wool Beerenberg Pullover. I also couldn't help notice that you wore a very nice sports watch on your wrist with a rotating bezel. A sublime way of enhancing the overall mariner look of the outfit.
Good timing! Just ordered a navy peacoat on sale last week from J Crew. Couldn't find a surplus one on ebay. I also have a dark brown corduroy peacoat that I love but is now too big for me.
My what a lovely USN Pea-coat! I *do* have three of those, two of wool (a grey one and one black) and another black leather KaLeu coat, which is a bit longer but I honestly wear them rarely, in winter I'm more of an "overcoat bloke". The sweater is really nice, again I rarely wear them, but I have several turtle-neck sweaters in brown tones, however they are nowhere near as warm (I suppose) as your stunning one, yes, very comfy being cashmere-mix (I know, I know, but hey, I bought them more than a decade ago) but a lot "colder" in general. Not so much of a problem for me since I live in a (sometimes annoyingly) temperate region but boy this ecru sweater looks tempting😆. Of course I have zero connection to any naval tradition whatsoever, here in central Germany the largest body of water somewhere near are the Main and Rhine rivers🤣 - I could pear my pea-coats with my Prince Heinrich cap, would look super naval... and I'm a complete and utter landlubber - you can't be this in the UK, so... hm, maybe though...but the Arthur Bale sweater looks really stunning and it certainly is a steal! Best regards Raoul G. Kunz
I love my Navy woven pea coat from Nicole Fahri. eBay find. Need to get a quality Marino knit to pair it with. I agree the 100 pound mark is about the right price.
@@TheChapsGuide I believe you would be thankful you stopped in and had the pleasure to meet either of the Sahakians. They are gentleman in the highest regards and I think you will find they share in your journey to being a respectable chap.
Ash, may I suggest, watch this “full interview” with Mr Edward Sahakian to gain perspective and insight into his incredible life journey and pursuit to be a respectable gentleman. I think you will find he is indeed a chap’s chap. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-9UDiTMh3cRw.html
Hello Ash, Did you know that Norway contains an active volcano? This volcano last erupted in 1985, and will certainly erupt again. I am referring to Beerenberg, which is located on the island of Jan Mayen that belongs to Norway. Have a nice day.
😀 Does *Harris Tweed* make _Pea coats?_ Would a duffel coat qualify as pea coat? Did any one know that the fist _puffer-coat_ was invented by an Australian? It was made from a parachute with feathers! 😀
Great video! They look great on you. I found a lovely pea coat recently, however with my build, (broad chest and slim legs) and my wife's facial expression and her judgement that I looked like 'Spongebob SquarePants' with a square body and skinny legs made me leave it in the shop.
Talk about timing, I just purchased a Ralph Lauren Pea Coat (after Christmas sale) for $108.00 U.S. The original price was $399.00 U.S. Looks like you got the better deal on Ebay. (P.S. I also purchased a white cotton turtleneck from L.L. Bean to wear with my Black Pea Coat)
Good morning Ash, yet another informative video. That pea coat and jumper are a perfect match. I took the plunge pardon the pun and got myself a pea coat it was a ebay buy. A quick question I am 5ft 4" tall what would be the correct length for me. Is it thigh length or below the waist. I pair mine with a half zip Lambswool jumper. Regards
Mine is mid-thigh, but I don't think you need to get too hung up on the length. Some may suggest the longer the better when it comes to repelling the cold!
Very careful storage when not in use is the key, as well as making use of moth balls and/or cedar repellants too. I have previously discussed some of my methods in this video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-5YrCuoHoLGI.html
nice...but an alternative style i prefer is the countryside shooting style jackets with a tweed cap.. but currently got a brook taverner ascott jacket, tweed cap, scarf, and i just recently bought those southcombe unlined gloves (but price shot upto £45 now!) dark jeans and loake hoskin boots :)
A month ago my us navy peacoat 1940's arrived that the weight of thecoat literaly feels like a rug never have i had such a nice rugged coat unfortunately one buttom fell of so its time for me to learn how to sew it back on instead of visiting the local tailor
I gave recently started following your channel, it's very insightful and interersting! Could you possibly do a video on how to take care of wool trousers/jumpers? TIA
I have found that overcoats are often too long, especially if one has to climb in and out of a car, so the pea coat is a much more convenient option. I have a traditional navy colored one that gets lots of compliments, especially from former Navy guys. I am also looking to get one in a brown color, so I have different color options. I also have a nice submariner sweater from Aran sweaters. It's almost too warm though, except for the really cold days, so I don't wear it much.
I saw that you did not follow the standard rule on double breasted jackets: leave the bottom button undone. Most content providers say the peacoat/reefer follows that rule. Intentional? Since I wore this same reefer as naval officer, I do remember that the Navy was not big on undone buttons. The double breasted Service Blue blouse (jacket) also had the button all requirement.
I do not believe that the unbuttoning principle fully applies to DB coats and certainly not outerwear. You will note that King Charles always fully buttons his DB suits these days.
@@TheChapsGuide Thanks, I had to check. Yes the King does button the bottom button and leaves it buttoned. He is known for it against other advice. It is good to be King (Mel Brooks quote).
PSA to all men wearing double breasted garments: That button on the interior of the garment is not a spare, you use that button to keep the inside flap flat in place without sagging.
Have started to look into pea cast actually, just because it's a great middle ground. Also started to do some shopping for clothes, especially some hard to find vintage things. Too bad most of it is in the US or UK which means import charges so doesn't end up than cheap for me.
£150 for a jumper (Arthur Beale) Wow! Reminds me of Charles Tyrwhitt garments, not expensive (really) but good quality. as my navy blue jacket with a ticket pocket with real buttons (holes) on the cuffs!
Ash, stumbled on your channel about a week ago and have watched it constantly since then. Love your advice and insights. However, I have one question: Why do you sign off with an American-style salute and not a British-style salute?
Well sir, it is actually the salute of the Royal Navy (around a long time before the USA), however, I don’t intend it as a formal salute, merely as a gesture of respect to the gentlemen, who have watched the video. Great to have you aboard Jon.
It is not a salute, just a gesture of respect - and the flat hand salute is the property of the Royal Navy (pre-dates the US variant by a few hundred years).
@@TheChapsGuide ah but the flat hand salute of the RN is slightly tilted to keep the palm away from delicate onlookers eyes!…yours is defo a yank job! 😉👍😎
Guilty as charged! I have a RAB puffer jacket, which is very warm, but I admit not very stylish / smart. I also have a Black wool coat for more formal wear. Ash - can I ask what coat you wear on cold, wet winter days? Do you have any suggestions for warm and waterproof attire? A Pea Coat is definitely on the shopping list 👍
@@TheChapsGuide Belated Thanks Ash. Can I ask if there is a specific Barbour I should be looking for. Having had a quick look on a few websites, the range of Barbour jackets is quite overwhelming! As we will soon be out of season, there will hopefully be some good deals to be had!
Ash. My father was in the US Navy during the second World War and while I was in high school I wore his peacoat walking to school in very inclement nasty weather. I have been in the market for another one for quite a few years. Sounds like you got a really good deal on yours. And I really like your submariners sweater great deal on that as well. Do you know if they shipped to the US? Cheers Ron
I love your channel Ash and what you stand for. Like yourself I am also a fan of Gentleman's Gazette for the same reason. The pea coat is amazing. Yours is 100% wool? It must be vintage because after spending 20 years in the U.S. Navy all those coats are a blend not 100% wool. If I could offer some positive advice I think the sweater and pea coat together are a bit too much. Two statement pieces together clash with each other and it almost looks like you are going to a navy renaissance festival or something. As you yourself would recommend to someone.....both pieces are great separate......not together. My opinion. Thanks, Jefe
Question: With quality woolen clothing like jackets (suits/sport/causal) and good quality shoes (Loake 200B/1880, John Lobb City II) should wait 24 hours between wear and not cram the garments in the wardrobe?
Hi Ash, Any clue where this can pick up this jumper from a store in London. I live in India butI will visit Acton soon. I couldn’t find a store in google 😄