Bundle Up This Winter in a Traditional Navy Pea Coat

The pea coat has been a staple of naval wear for several hundred years, and a popular civilian style for men and women in the past 25 to 30 years. Originally worn by sailors in European navies, particularly British and Dutch, the style has remained relatively unchanged over the centuries since its first appearance, and by the 20^th century became a part of a U.S. sailor's seabag or clothing requirements. Derived from the Dutch word, pij, the modern pea coat has changed very little since the 1700's.

What makes a pea coat a pea coat?

Today there are many variations of this comfortable military style coat available for the non military, but the U.S. Navy standard issue men's pea coat remains the gold standard for material and design. Even second hand Navy issue pea coats attract premium prices at second hand stores and online auction sites such as eBay.com. Described by Navy Uniform Regulations for enlisted men in pay grades E-6 and below as" A double-breasted, hip length coat made of dark blue authorized fabric with a convertible collar, a set-in pocket in each forefront, and a single row of four 35-line black plastic anchor buttons down the right front and three on left."

The approved fabric was, until the 1970's, a heavy 30 oz Melton wool. Post 1970's Navy issue pea coats are lighter weight.

The basics elements of a pea coat consist of a jacket that is hip length, double breasted to provide a seal against cold winds, a wide lapel to close the coat just below the wearer's neck, and a convertible collar that can be turned up to protect the back and sides of the sailor's neck from icy blasts. Although there have been some jackets designed in other fabrics and with a variety of colors and plaids, the traditional pea coat is made of heavy course wool and dyed either black or very dark (Navy) blue. Most pea coats manufactured today are of a wool blend or even of totally synthetic fabrics.

Where to buy a pea coat

Even though the pea coat has become a constantly popular jacket design for the non sea farer, there are not many sources for buying them. This rugged outer garment isn't found in the usual outdoorsy outlets such as American Eagle Outfitters Cabella's or even LLBean. The style may be found in some upper scale retail stores, but, other than second hand stores, it is most often discovered at online outlets such as zappos.com where styles have little resemblance to the traditional pea coat. For the best selection look for retail stores that specialize in selling used military items or new copies of those same products.

One popular source for new as well as second hand, traditional and nontraditional pea coats is eBay, probably the world's largest online auction site. Many of the auctions are for second hand Navy issue pea coats. Most of these are post 1970's so will not be the heavier weight associated the traditional pea coat. A review of the pea coats available at eBay showed the majority to be non Navy issue but titled at authentic.

What should I pay for my pea coat?

With prices ranging from $50.00 for a well worn second hand pea coat to over $1700.00 for not very accurate copies of the traditional style, it seems the sky's the limit on prices. If you have access to a Navy Uniform Shop, you can buy the original for under $140.00. For the rest of us, the second hand shop will show prices ranges from around $50.00 to $100.00.

If you want to spend $1000.00 or more, you can hit zappos.com or other websites than sell imported clothing to the well to do and where the pea coat style is sometimes liberally translated. But, whether you buy from a local thrift shop, an upscale retail outlet, or an online source, the price you pay will, eventually be up to you because there is only one person who can determine what that pea coat is worth to you.

Bundle up in your pea coat.

The traditional Navy style pea coat is great for warding off the cold of winter with fashionable style and utility. With styling available for men and women, look for the basics; hip length, double breasted, wide lapel and convertible collar, made from wool and dark or Navy blue in color. If you want to stretch your fashion sense there numerous styles that wanders from the traditional, but still fit into the category of pea coats. The one overriding element of the pea coat is that is must keep you warm and block out those icy winter blasts.

USN UNIFORM REGULATIONS

http://www.npc.navy.mil/CommandSupport/USNavyUniforms/UniformRegulations/UniformComponents/3501_41.htm

eBay http://clothing.shop.ebay.com/Mens-Clothing-/1059/i.html_nkw=navy+pea+coat&_catref=1&_fln=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m282

History of the pea coat: http://thesoko.com/thesoko/article1262.html

Pij http://www.yourdictionary.com/pea-jacket