10.23.2013

foundations: the peacoat

who else? the inimitable Jane Birkin

the peacoat is, in my estimation, the holy grail of coats.

last week, a reader got in touch and asked for my recommendations. i'm a fan of a few styles this season: Rag & Bone's Birkin-esque versionthe cozy longer one by Emerson, and this short and jaunty number by Fidelity.

i can never resist a sharp silhouette and a tailored cut when it comes to outerwear, and there's something about a peacoat that just embodies gamine allure with the confidence of menswear. oh, and the upturned collar gets me every time.

an elegant template for fall dressing // peacoatblack trousersslingbacks

do you have a peacoat? how do you wear it? 

26 comments:

  1. That Emerson Fry pea coat is beautiful! I want it so badly (and the big, black turtleneck sweater). Truly will create an elegant template for Fall. Does Emerson Fry have sales ever - outside of end of the season - or should I just buck up and buy it in case they sell out?

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    1. hey katie - EF doesn't have sales very often, which is why i am still bummed that i missed out on a few amazing past-season gems (oh, leopard print linen coat!!). if this will be your go-to fall/winter coat, i say go for it :)

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  2. I'm big a fan of my Fidelity Sportswear peacoat (bought at Steven Alan). I love that the company has been making outerwear for decades, and that everything is made in the USA. As for the coat itself, the cut is classic, not too feminine, and the materials are high quality-- it feels like a substantial coat that will last me a good long time!

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    1. i just updated my post and saw your comment! i love the hardy workwear feel of their clothes.

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  3. I got the perfect navy peacoat last year from Joseph. I'd been looking for years for the right one and stumbled onto it on the Outnet of all places. Will wear it forever.

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    1. lucky you! i think i know the one you're talking about - sometimes you can really find a holy grail on major sale :)

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  4. I adore the pea coat too! Mine is navy by J Crew with gold buttons and I wore it so much all last year and into Spring this year. It's the right length - upper thigh - on me and I wish I had a black or grey version but no luck so far. It's such a super versatile and practical style for everything: jeans, tailored pants, dresses and skirts. I can't resist the allure of tailoring in coats either :-)

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  5. I scored a pretty inexpensive navy peacoat while randomly browsing a BCBG Outlet store a couple of months ago. I've been preferring it over my trenchcoat lately and pretty much wear it with everything as a result. I'm reluctant to wear dark blue jeans with it however, I fear the blue-on-blue would be too much!

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  6. I have one but not in the classic colour ways but in a burgundy but it does always make me feel very sharp and the colour really zings on a cold dreary day. I wouldn't mind one in a navy or a grey either - I like to cover all bases.

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  7. wearing peacoats are so easy! it instantly dresses up everything.

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  8. Very nice pictures selection! I have a black peacoat bought at Muji 7 years ago and still going strong! It is my go-to winter friend, elegant and versatile :)

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  9. EF always nails it in the coats department, and every year I find myself lusting after their peacoats. I have a make-do one from a few years back at Zara which does the job until I find The One, and I pretty much wear it every day, every winter. My husband somehow managed to find one that fits him perfectly at a Salvation Army, a real actual pea coat from the Navy or something, it's so sturdy and solid it's amazing. Doubly amazing when you think it was probably the only time he's ever set foot in a second hand store! Just goes to show, you never know where you're going to find The One!

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    1. indeed! kudos that your husband found his vintage gem!

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  10. I used to own a black one - and wore it constantly for more than 10 years before the lining fell apart. Haven't bought a pea-coat since - my Carven cocoon coat seems to work just fine!

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    1. your carven sounds pretty amazing! i have my go-to marant padded coat for winter, but a fall/early winter peacoat is currently the main missing piece of my wardrobe...

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  11. In love with the Fidelity one, but have been craving one like the EF one for ages. Funnel collars make me so happy. Alas, I fear that the double breasted look doesn't flatter me much and so...no peacoats thus far. Maybe next season as my wardrobe comes together!

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  12. Oooh I love peacoats and if I lived somewhere cold enough for one it would be the first coat to splurge on my list, in navy! As it is, I have a very inexpensive but surprisingly durable black wool one from Mango that I bought 5 or 6 years ago for a trip to China. I find peacoats very classic and I love its connection to the sea!

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  13. Black, $60 Michael Kors from Costco.

    But I'd be happy to spend ten times that for the perfect CASHMERE peacoat. In navy. If I could find it.

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    1. so interesting that so many commenters have an inexpensive peacoat and are pining for a luxurious version ;)

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  14. I love peacoats. Uniqlo has a nice navy one but I'm not sure how good the quality is...

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    1. i love uniqlo's basics and jeans, but i haven't been really impressed by their outerwear (other than the lightweight down jackets). kinda bummed that they stopped doing the collabs with Jil Sander :P

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  15. Great post! I have a love affair with peacoats too! I bought my first one from a surplus store in college - authentic military in navy. Then I invested in the perfect Martin Grant one in grad school (before he was famous, so expensive but not ridiculous). Wore that one to shreds. Last year, I bought an oversized boxy version by Marant (on ebay!) which is perfect for fall and spring and can accommodate my oversized sweaters. I wear it all the time, over my Bator, actually. With jeans, mainly. But the great thing about peacoats is that they look good with everything. Universally flattering. My dream is a Margiela one.

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  16. Thanks for this great post - I love the Fidelity one! But it seems like a black one might work better for me -- are there any good black ones out there? It is amazing how something as simple as a peacoat can take on so many different variations, in color, length, etc. and then something that should be simple decision evolves into being a little more complicated than hoped for. I guess the most classic one is the fidelity, no? Thanks again!

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  17. I have an aubergine Lyell peacoat that is too small in the shoulders now, and haven't found anything in the classic navy or black that I like. I imagine when I do find it, it will be on the pricier side since my magical math says I can spend more if I've never bought cheaper ones in the past...!

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  18. I'm with you. It's just so classic.

    Kate from Clear the Way

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  19. I used to own a peacoat that adored. I don't think I've found the perfect one to replace it since. A few years ago there was a navy Proenza Schouler peacoat that I should have scooped up. I love outerwear and splurge quite a bit on it. A wardrobe of coats is a necessity in NYC. My black duffle and cocoon coats have replaced my longing for a peacoat at the moment. I prefer longer coats for warmth and my proportions. I looked for the cocoon coat forever and finally stumbled upon it at the end of last winter.

    On a 100 degree day in September I finally crossed off a cashmere camel colored coat off the list. So luxe!

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