Questions About the United States Navy Peacoat

[Preppy Climber]

That’s a smart outfit, and doesn’t look too big at all. Unlike the frozen wasteland of the Baltic winters we in Blighty don’t experience the cold to the extent you do. Always makes me chuckle when people here mutter it’s freezing when it’s +4 deg C when in Bardufoss, or Cold Lake, or Fairbanks it can be so cold that it rips the air from your lungs.

There are a few jackets out there that meet my expectations for condition but are always too small or on the threshold that I’m nervous to take the plunge, especially with the prices being asked. However, I only want to wear a shirt underneath so I reckon I’ll risk it. I find coat sizes and jacket sizes differ so I might be surprised.

@Preppy Climber, love that look! That is exactly what I had envisaged in my minds eye. For a more dressed down look I imagine jeans and a WWII RAF aircrew roll neck jumper, blue or ecru, both would look fab against the dark blue of the coat.

Thank you, @Gibby's dog! I hope you find the perfect fitting peacoat!

I love your avatar. So adorable! He/she looks a bit like one of my puppers. He's a lab/pit mix, our gentle giant.

 

[Gibby's dog]

Thank you, @Gibby's dog! I hope you find the perfect fitting peacoat!

I love your avatar. So adorable! He/she looks a bit like one of my puppers. He's a lab/pit mix, our gentle giant.

Yep, I’m a lab man, my boy is not black, he’s red fox, huge but as gentle as they come. I have a spaniel too, who’s as mad as a box of frogs and a tiny toothless terrier cross rescued from the streets of Bucharest, who bosses the other two about. My hunt is full on, I’ve seen one or two but not hit the button yet...

 

[Preppy Climber]

Yep, I’m a lab man, my boy is not black, he’s red fox, huge but as gentle as they come. I have a spaniel too, who’s as mad as a box of frogs and a tiny toothless terrier cross rescued from the streets of Bucharest, who bosses the other two about. My hunt is full on, I’ve seen one or two but not hit the button yet...

Your spaniel sounds like our Cattle Dog/pit mix. What a handful!! He's a little over a year old and we've got a number of years before that cute little s--t calms remotely down.

 

[azeeze312]

Any recommendations on a proper thread to use for button repair? I have a 1950s era peacoat and I don’t want to use a cheap standard thin thread for repair

 

[Peacoat]

Any recommendations on a proper thread to use for button repair? I have a 1950s era peacoat and I don’t want to use a cheap standard thin thread for repair

Try nylon thread. It is stronger than regular thread. Also, use a backing button.

 

[azeeze312]

I’m unfortunately and in betweener for sizing between a 40R and 42R , I sized up for a 42R So I can comfortable wear a sweater or cardigan underneath. This is my first “real” peacoat , previously I’ve only owned civilian knockoffs from departments stores. I know they’re supposed to fit boxy and long , how does the fit look?

 

[Peacoat]

I’m unfortunately and in betweener for sizing between a 40R and 42R , I sized up for a 42R So I can comfortable wear a sweater or cardigan underneath. This is my first “real” peacoat , previously I’ve only owned civilian knockoffs from departments stores. I know they’re supposed to fit boxy and long , how does the fit look?

I wouldn't say they are supposed to fit boxy and long.

You have enough room for a sweater.

Now I would go with a size 40 so you will have a trim fit without wearing a sweater. But in Chicago, you will probably be wearing a sweater most of the winter.

 

[azeeze312]

I wouldn't say they are supposed to fit boxy and long.

You have enough room for a sweater.

Now I would go with a size 40 so you will have a trim fit without wearing a sweater. But in Chicago, you will probably be wearing a sweater most of the winter.

I wouldn't say they are supposed to fit boxy and long.

You have enough room for a sweater.

Now I would go with a size 40 so you will have a trim fit without wearing a sweater. But in Chicago, you will probably be wearing a sweater most of the winter.

Thanks’ I was thinking about keeping my eyes peeled for a 40r for a trimmer look. I debated about getting this coat tailored a bit while wearing a sweater, but I don’t want to ruin the jacket, not many tailors near me that deal with heavy clothing like this.

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

Thanks’ I was thinking about keeping my eyes peeled for a 40r for a trimmer look. I debated about getting this coat tailored a bit while wearing a sweater, but I don’t want to ruin the jacket, not many tailors near me that deal with heavy clothing like this.

I’m a betweener too.
Ist pic is a 38, second a 40.
Both WW11 era Coast Guard coats.
The look’s not all that much different but the feel is so much different.
The first is just right from the moment you put it on.
Look for a 40r.
B

 

[Peacoat]

Yes, the size 38 is a better fit. But with the size 40 you have plenty of room to layer.

 

[azeeze312]

I’ll keep my 42 for layering when I can pretend I’m out in the North Atlantic here this winter and keep my eyes peeled for a 40r preferably a Kersey Wool

 

[Gibby's dog]

Both looking good chaps, but I agree that the smaller coats give a leaner look. I much prefer the WWII 8 button showing coats, I like the informal look of the collar lapels, but trying to find one in the condition I want is proving difficult. Having seen your six button showing examples I might have to re-consider my options.

I have a question for Mr. Peacoat regarding the labelling of the 8 button showing jackets. I have seen one with this label, is it pre war or post war do you know?

 

[Daniel Veit]

If, by chance, anybody is stumbling over a 10 button peacoat in 38L, please let me know.
I have a 38L 8 button pea, but would prefer the slimmer WW2 variant.

 

[Preppy Climber]

I’m a betweener too.
Ist pic is a 38, second a 40.
Both WW11 era Coast Guard coats.
The look’s not all that much different but the feel is so much different.
The first is just right from the moment you put it on.
Look for a 40r.
B View attachment 664136 View attachment 664137

Very, very nice all around!

 

[Preppy Climber]

I’m unfortunately and in betweener for sizing between a 40R and 42R , I sized up for a 42R So I can comfortable wear a sweater or cardigan underneath. This is my first “real” peacoat , previously I’ve only owned civilian knockoffs from departments stores. I know they’re supposed to fit boxy and long , how does the fit look?

I think it looks good! You could go for the 40R to achieve a trim look with light layering.

I wore my size 34 this morning during a 46 degree weather dog walk. I was layered pretty well--t-shirt, weighted vest, long-sleeve t-shirt over that, then my peacoat. No way could I have pulled that off with my 32, but then again that size works great with just a shirt or button down, and a sweater at most.

 

[Preppy Climber]

If, by chance, anybody is stumbling over a 10 button peacoat in 38L, please let me know.
I have a 38L 8 button pea, but would prefer the slimmer WW2 variant.

My US Navy peacoats are WWII, size 32 and 34. I tried on a postwar peacoat, size 34, and there was a noticeable difference in size and fit. I prefer the slimmer WWII given my size and weight.

 

[azeeze312]

I think it looks good! You could go for the 40R to achieve a trim look with light layering.

I wore my size 34 this morning during a 46 degree weather dog walk. I was layered pretty well--t-shirt, weighted vest, long-sleeve t-shirt over that, then my peacoat. No way could I have pulled that off with my 32, but then again that size works great with just a shirt or button down, and a sweater at most.

Thanks! I won’t rush to find one but it will be on my radar… the hunt of it is all the fun

 

[Gibby's dog]

Well troops, I've just pressed go on a WWII 8 button showing peacoat with a 22" P2P measurement. A mixed feeling of boyish excitement and trepidation but the seller is willing to take returns if it doesn't work out. Hopefully it'll arrive quickly and when it does I'll post some pics for the opinion of the experts. There's a Buz Rickson example for sale too which is beautiful but first option foe me will always be a genuine example.

 

[Peacoat]

Both looking good chaps, but I agree that the smaller coats give a leaner look. I much prefer the WWII 8 button showing coats, I like the informal look of the collar lapels, but trying to find one in the condition I want is proving difficult. Having seen your six button showing examples I might have to re-consider my options.

I have a question for Mr. Peacoat regarding the labelling of the 8 button showing jackets. I have seen one with this label, is it pre war or post war do you know?

That is the collar tag which normally didn't last long when being worn. I can't tell much from that. If you have a chest tag, I would be glad to look at it for you.

 

[Peacoat]

Well troops, I've just pressed go on a WWII 8 button showing peacoat with a 22" P2P measurement. A mixed feeling of boyish excitement and trepidation but the seller is willing to take returns if it doesn't work out. Hopefully it'll arrive quickly and when it does I'll post some pics for the opinion of the experts. There's a Buz Rickson example for sale too which is beautiful but first option foe me will always be a genuine example.

The WWII coats are just a bit smaller than the later coats, but hopefully you will have room for a sweater with this size 42. Congratulations. The WWII coats are becoming increasingly difficult to find and more expensive when they are found.