Pea Coats

A pea coat is an outer jacket that is worn to keep the person warm and when the winters get colder as they are doing right now, pea coats are just the thing to keep you very snug. Before we get into the different kinds of pea coats and what they are made of, here’s a bit of interesting pea coat history and how these outer jackets came into existence. The pea coat actually originated in Holland and a Dutch farmer had it made for his son who was joining the British Navy so it would keep him warm during his days and nights at sea. The pea coat was made from the wool from three sheep – Pauline, Eleanor, Andrew and so the name PEA standing for their initials came into being. Of course, another tale goes that the term pea coats came from the Dutch word ‘pijjekker’ which refers to a kind of twilled material used to make it. Well, anyway, way back then in the 18th century, a young petty officer thought this was a good idea and to keep the men warm, 400 of these pea coats were ordered from the Dutch farmer and very soon, pea coats became a part of the British naval uniform. From this time on, the style spread to the American and the other European navies as well.
The traditional pea coat was a thick wool overcoat which was navy blue in colour and was double-breasted with broad lapels. They had slash pockets and they also had large buttons made of metal or wood. There were two rows of buttons which were used to fasten the pea coat. Very soon, officers of the Navy were wearing pea coats that were longer to distinguish their pea coats from the others and these were called bridge coats. For the higher ranks, the pea coat was made with epaulettes and gold buttons and it was called a ‘reefer’. The basic design other than these accessories remained the same for all pea coats. Traditionally, the pea coat was made of 30 ounces of wool and Melton cloth which was heavy was used.
Today, the pea coat has burst out of the naval box and has become a garment of fashion. So many pea coats in different colours and fabrics can be seen all over the world and though there have been liberties taken with the design and the material, essentially, it looks the same. However, there’s been a gender and age break-through as well and today, pea coats are available for men, women and even children. In fact, when a woman wears it, it is usually called a Jackie O style because she made pea coats so popular. The great thing about the pea coat is that it is more than just mere fashion – it’s a great way to beat the winter cold and look good too. And yet, the pea coat maintains a certain timeless, classic style while being contemporary. Today, pea coats are usually made out of 22 to 32 ounces of wool and there are subtle changes that reflect contemporary style and fashion.
Though the traditional pea coat was a dark navy blue, today’s pea coats span a wide range of colours though the darker colours are more popular. If you look at women’s fashions, however, not only will you see a wonderful array of colours that the pea coat is designed in, you will also see things added to them – like fur, ruffles of silk and satin, more fitted cuts, etc. Be that as it may, the basic design is all there and that is what distinguishes it as a pea coat.
How can you be sure that you are getting a good pea coat? You need to look at the pea coat you are buying from a few angles. Make sure you choose a fabric that is right for you – wool if you are looking at keeping you warm and other materials like flannel, corduroy or polyester if you are looking at fashion rather than warmth. Then make sure it fits you right. If you are looking at a pea coat that will be worn over three layers of clothing, make sure you get one that is loose enough and a couple of sizes larger. You might want a longer pea coat as well to make sure more of you stays warm. There are lined pea coats as well for extra warmth. If you are looking at pea coats that need to fit just right, then choose a pea coat size that fits snug. Choosing a pea coat with a belt will make sure it fits well at the waist.
There are a great many styles as far as pea coats are concerned. Besides the colours and the cuts, there are pea coats with over-sized buttons, with cargo-style pockets, with wrap around belts and with toggles. There are pea coats with funnel necks and hoods, as well as really stylish pleated hems and plaid designs. Traditional or trendy, pea coats are a great winter buy for men and women.
