Ask Angie: peacoats

Diana

Today's blog post has me thinking about pea coats!

Are they back in style or are they kind of classic items that are always around? I wore one all the time in college (late 90s) and I think half the girls at my school had one in black or navy, so I kind of burned out on them. But now it's been long enough that it looks fresh again, and I do like the 90s vibe of a classic peacoat so I'm thinking of trying some on.

Relatedly, is the 2013 pea coat different from the 1998 version, and in what way? I remember back then we all wore the boxy, short (hip length) version with big lapels. If you were cool (I wasn't) and had the right body type (I didn't) you got it from the navy surplus store.

12 years ago

Shopping

7 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

Irene

Veteran

I have one in navy I bought at a random (literally, since they were back to original price the following week) H&M sale last year. I like it for late fall and early spring, when the weather is milder (not that it ever gets that cold in Barcelona, anyways) and for casual outfits, since it's shorter than my other coats and looks best paired with faded jeans and sneakers/casual boot.

I didn't know they were dated. I like this style of coat, dated or not, and I actually think most of my coats are peacoats, just longer lol

12 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Oh, honey. Peacoats are never out of style. Not at all dated. It's a modern classic though, so you need to get the next fashionable version that should keep you going for at least 5-7 years. No shoulder pads. And a tailored fit is best. The very trendy styles have bracelet length sleeves and are boxy. I do not recommend that style.

I have a citron peacoat that I bought three years ago. It's tailored and I can layer under it very easily. You might remember it below.

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12 years ago

Diana

Veteran

Thanks, Angie!
I'd never buy a coat with bracelet length sleeves! Or a jacket for that matter. I detest them. (Sorry to any fans out there.) And boxy doesn't work on me either, so it's good to know that the more tailored styles are still current.

Do you think the big lapels and double breasted shape would be overwhelming on me though?

I'm wondering if it's time to start thinking about replacing my black swing coat since I think that silhouette might be getting dated.

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12 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

So glad you posted this! I have been eyeing them up and then had flashbacks

12 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

My thumbs couldn't be more up, Thistle.

Diana, I think you'd look utterly charming in a peacoat. You suit big lapels and why are you hesitating about the double breasted style? Adorable on you.

12 years ago

Diana

Veteran

Double breasted styles are tricky on me, because I feel like they generally don't come in enough at the waist for me, so they tend to look boxy. They also tend not to flare enough at the hip, so I often have to size up resulting in the top being even boxier. It's not the double breastedness itself, it's the straight cut that generally comes with it. With something like a trench, the belt gives enough waist definition.

My peacoat in the 90s had giant wide lapels, I wish I could find a picture of it. They were too big and overwhelming for my short torso! ETA: I'm pretty sure I was wearing it too big back then though. That was the style in the 90s.

12 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Repsoitioning buttons might help with the tailoring.

12 years ago

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