Last of my NAS posts (for now, anyway!).

Presenting the Open Edit oversized pea coat in navy!

EDITED: Keeping the XS -- a few clearer pictures added. Sleeve turned up (maybe too much but it is hard to be accurate with that.) I will take it to Nordstrom's in Vancouver for alterations.

First, let me say, this is a lovely quality for the price, which even in CAD is more than reasonable for coat of this kind. The fabric is soft and lightweight but does not seem prone to pills. In my opinion, it would not work for Ontario/ Quebec/ Prairie winters unless layered over sweaters and jackets -- or, at least it would not work for someone spending much time outdoors. As a car coat, it could do well, and it would also work well in the late fall (November), early winter/ very early spring temperatures there.

For my climate (PNW) it could work throughout much of the cold season, layered in the colder temps.

As I mentioned before, I have never met a pea coat I did not like and I've worn different iterations of them for decades, from strictly tailored to vastly oversized.

This one is in between -- a somewhat oversized cut. I got it in two sizes to try and I'm undecided. Alas, it's going to be really hard for you to see the differences in these photos (I did my best to lighten them) so I'll also try to describe the pluses and minuses as I see them. I'm wearing it with my light Zella sweater here, but both jackets would go over heavier sweaters if I wanted to wear them that way.

ETA: The jackets are exactly the same measured length. The Xs is wider in the body and longer in the sleeve only. BOTH also layer over a blazerl.

PICS 1-3. In the XXS, it fits less oversized. I could almost get away without shortening the sleeves, I think (though I would probably shorten). My concern -- it just fits on the hip. At the moment, the vent is sewn shut which makes it snugger than it would be when properly opened, but I also worry it might not have quite enough room on the bum area (a common issue for me). Also, it may not be achieving its full architectural effect in this size. The flap pockets seem more noticeable (because it is snugger in that area). So, I don't know.

PICS 4-7. In the XS it is much larger and I would definitely need to alter the sleeves. It is a lot looser in the front body (to the point where a lot of air might get in) and it's looser also in the hip area, but even there, you can see in the side view that with the vent sewn shut there is a wee bump out. I do think that would settle if I snipped the thread. In person, it definitely reads as oversized, but maybe even verges on "too big."

PICS 8-9. My existing navy pea coat -- a consignment find by Canadian firm Judith and Charles. This is a super high quality boiled wool coat that is going into its fifth year in my closet; who knows how long it lived in its previous owner's! It's a more classic cut than the Open Edit, with a different style of collar. It's also size up from my usual coat size and you can see, a little, that the shoulder line is a bit extended on me as a result; in practice that hasn't bothered me because it is very forgiving for layering and also, because of the fabric, it tends to relax down when it is off the hanger and on the warm body. I love wearing this coat because the wool is so lightweight and warm and it repels light rain. NOTE: it looks black in my photo but it also an ink navy, almost identical to the Open Edit in colour.

At the moment, I am torn! I really like the Open Edit but wonder if it is sufficiently different from the other coat and/or if it is fitting well enough in either size to justify the purchase when I already have a somewhat similar coat in the closet. The price of the Open Edit is very reasonable but I would likely have to add the cost of altering the sleeves, although perhaps I could take it to Nordstrom's in Vancouver to have that job done.

Would love thoughts and opinions and ideas. Thank you!