Show Us Your OVERCOATS

[Michael A]

The second new overcoat of the year showed up today. J Press grey and black fine herringbone 100% Wool Union Made in the USA
IMG_7381 crop by Michael A2012, on Flickr IMG_7373 crop by Michael A2012, on Flickr
3 button fly front.
IMG_7380 crop by Michael A2012, on Flickr
IMG_7384 by Michael A2012, on Flickr
Didn't get a good close up of the weave.

Michael

 

[Doctor Damage]

^ Most excellent find, Michael, and it fits perfectly. J Press is a venerable brand which most people haven't heard of unless they're into the whole preppy thing.

 

[Michael A]

^ Most excellent find, Michael, and it fits perfectly. J Press is a venerable brand which most people haven't heard of unless they're into the whole preppy thing.

Thanks DD. I need it like another hole in my head, but I couldn't pass up the fit. And it does appear to be of a fine quality cloth and construction. If I remember J Press' logo says they've been around since 1902.

Michael

 

[Doctor Damage]

Brando by Beaton.

 

[-Ariel-]

My Stratojac.

 

[Benproof]

MIchael - that's such a slick supersmooth fronted coat. Try it with the collar turned up like Ariel's?

I love both coats - they both have pocket flaps running vertically, which is how pockets stop everything emptying!

 

[Michael A]

MIchael - that's such a slick supersmooth fronted coat. Try it with the collar turned up like Ariel's?

I love both coats - they both have pocket flaps running vertically, which is how pockets stop everything emptying!

Thanks Benproof.
DSCN6780 crop by Michael A2012, on Flickr
This coat has a relatively small lapel and collar and, I think, a relatively high button stance.
DSCN6763 by Michael A2012, on Flickr
A couple closeups of the fabric.
DSCN6770 by Michael A2012, on Flickr

Thanks,
Michael

 

[Bfd70]

^ i hope this reads as intended, but sir i hope i have 1/2 your style at your age.

 

[Michael A]

I picked up this 1950s raglan sleeved coat a week or two ago.
11-28-2017 Today's Clothes by Michael A2012, on Flickr
DSCN6874 crop by Michael A2012, on Flickr
DSCN6875 crop by Michael A2012, on Flickr
DSCN6876 crop by Michael A2012, on Flickr
Close up of the fabric.
DSCN6881 crop by Michael A2012, on Flickr
DSCN6883 by Michael A2012, on Flickr
I think it's a rather nice fleck tweed. Opinions may vary. Ha ha.

Michael

 

[Michael A]

I found this one today.
DSCN7226 crop by Michael A2012, on Flickr
It's an Air Force topcoat that was custom tailored in St. Louis, Mo. by Claud Kahmann
DSCN7219 by Michael A2012, on Flickr
It was made in October 1951 for delivery to Capt Alan Parker.
DSCN7214 by Michael A2012, on Flickr
Mr Parker had enlisted in the Army Air Corp and served as a bombardier and navigator on B-29 Marauders. After the war Lt Parker returned to college and received degrees in chemistry and biology. He was recalled to the service for the Korean War in 1951. And this was his topcoat as he entered with the rank of Captain.
DSCN7227 crop by Michael A2012, on Flickr
DSCN7229 crop by Michael A2012, on Flickr
There is a significant element of grey in the blue gabardine twill, though the camera is having a hard time picking it up today, and I'm trying to decide whether it is the first design USAF Shade 84 or a later version. I'll have to research that a bit more.
DSCN7208 by Michael A2012, on Flickr
It has a zip out lining of satin faced wool flannel. The shell is quite light weight being 13 to 15 oz fabric and the liner is 10 to 13 oz.
DSCN7216 by Michael A2012, on Flickr
DSCN7217 by Michael A2012, on Flickr

It has a bit of moth damage, but generally is in okay shape. Should make a good 3 season coat, or even 4 season with a farily heavy suit underneath it.

Michael

 

[Doctor Damage]

^ oh gosh what a nice find, custom made too, most I see are just issue coats which are less elegant, enjoy!

 

[Michael A]

^ oh gosh what a nice find, custom made too, most I see are just issue coats which are less elegant, enjoy!

I'll agree Dr D, it was a nice find. I think it's the first Air Force gabardine topcoat I've seen. I've been gleaning the info on the color from a museum collection that has an Air Force general's coat from the same period. It was made by Malcolm Kenneth, and oddly enough I started the day yesterday in a coat by Malcolm Kenneth
DSCN7197 crop by Michael A2012, on Flickr
I got a few more photos of the Air Force coat this morning and some show the grey aspect of the fabric.
DSCN7264 crop by Michael A2012, on Flickr
DSCN7267 by Michael A2012, on Flickr
DSCN7242 crop by Michael A2012, on Flickr
DSCN7250 crop by Michael A2012, on Flickr
DSCN7249 crop by Michael A2012, on Flickr
I think I'll like wearing this one.

Thanks,
Michael

 

[Doctor Damage]

 

[Doctor Damage]

For those of you interested in camel hair polo coats, check out my thread on AAAC (link below) which contains a bunch of photos of single and double breasted versions, with some commentary and discussion. Note that the photos from the first several pages no longer show properly, but starting around page 7+ the photos are viewable. I will eventually go back and re-post the missing photos.

http://askandyaboutclothes.com/forum/threads/how-to-wear-a-polo-coat-photos.46241/

 

[Doctor Damage]

Here's a great custom-made overcoat which is up on e-bay right now (nothing to do with me).

 

[Doctor Damage]

 

[Benproof]

Here's my Crombie great coat - picked it up a summer or two ago. Weighs a ton, can't wait to pull it out when the weather's colder.

Really love Crombie coats!

When I visited the store, I was disappointed in their modern trend to cut them shorter and above the knee. This ridiculous trend for mens "frock coats" winds me up. The proper original Crombie coat had the drape flow handsomely closer to the level of mid-calf, instead of hanging helplessly mid-air and mid-thigh.

How are you getting on with it day to day?

 

[Benproof]

Including my Navy bridge coat onto the list here. I think this is the first new overcoat of the year for me.
100% Wool and the contract that it was delivered on dates to 1968.

Michael

It's a very sharp cut typically of military uniforms. Congratulations on the new year's coat! Its length and drape and superb - stately and generous and the silhouette looks really slick.

I'd be tempted to sandblast those bauble buttons and render them steel grey, or flat matt paint black them or something though. Is this acceptable lol. I'm not a historical re-enactionary perfectionist but I can see the merit in keeping it as original as possible. Trying to figure what to wear with it without looking like you're joining the navy - will this be a challenge? It's like the modern penchant for streetwear designers to make every single garment available, so long as it is in khaki green.

Any more khaki green in my wardrobe is going to be overkill and make me join the army.

 

[Michael A]

Thanks Benproof. It is a very nice coat. Unfortunately, since you reminded me I haven't worn it for awhile I decided to try it on tonight. My holiday overeating had a definite negative effect on the fit. Ha ha. I'm going to have to drop the dozen or so pounds I picked up to be able to wear it comfortably again. Drat.

I have plenty of different sorts of buttons if I were inclined to change them out. Instead I just tell folks it's for winter wear on my yacht.

Michael

 

[Doctor Damage]

Re gold/silver buttons on coats (and blazers)... I've run into this all the time on other clothing forums. People say "I want a blazer" and then insist on removing the shiny metal buttons and replacing them with something matte or bland horn buttons, presumably because of some lack of confidence in wearing anything other than a dark suit or some weird biases they've picked up in their youth. I always point out that once you remove the shiny metal buttons then it's no longer a blazer, so what's the point? Why not just buy a jacket without shiny buttons in the first place? Buy what you want, not what you don't want and then try to turn it into what you want. Same thing with these military overcoats; there are plenty of bland, monochrome, undecorated civilian overcoats out there, so there's no need to start modifying military coats to make them more civilian. And frankly, if you buy high quality civilian clothing, it's usually better quality than military stuff (yes, I'm right about that, any overcoat made by Brooks Brothers is much better quality than any military overcoat).