Need to stay warm.

October 8, 2009 9:08 AM

I'd like a good-looking peacoat that will last a long time.

I love wool peacoats, but the last few I have bought have not lasted long at all. The buttons started falling off almost immediately, and the inside fabric started to rip.

Do you have any brand recommendations for a high-quality, sturdy peacoat?

posted by Herschel to clothing, beauty, & fashion (12 comments total)

You really can't go wrong with Army/Navy surplus here. Super durable, and super warm.
posted by alight at 9:18 AM on October 8 [2 favorites]

The standard US Navy-issued ones I got over twenty years ago seemed to be pretty sturdy. Have you tried just looking in military surplus shops?
posted by greasepig at 9:19 AM on October 8

I don't have a specific suggestion, but I've had many really good coats where the buttons fell off quickly -- apparently they don't try to get this right very often... Buttons are the easiest fix in the world though, and I will often pre-emptively sew them all back on. It shouldn't take more than an evening in front of the TV to do a coat with say... 8 buttons on the front and a few on each sleeve.

Sorry I can't actually be helpful with your real question though.
posted by brainmouse at 9:20 AM on October 8 [1 favorite]

Actual US Navy issue (eBay is your friend) or a near-as-can-be civvy version. There are a few different makers -- Sterlingwear in Boston, which made the coat I bought, does a 32oz wool version that is meant to be the "old" heavyweight Navy issue style.
posted by holgate at 9:26 AM on October 8

LL Bean has some nice wool pea coats, and what I love about LL Bean is that they guarantee 100% satisfaction -- if the coat doesn't last, you can return it at any time. I'm sure there are other stores that offer the same guarantee, but I have always really liked LL Bean's quality and their customer service.
posted by tastybrains at 9:27 AM on October 8

I too have no specific peacoat suggestions (although the ones offered look good). I just wanted to second brainmouse that the button issue should not be a dealbreaker on an otherwise nice coat. At others suggest, they do sometimes come off. With even the best coat, It's a good idea to check the buttons at the beginning of the season and re-sew if needed. If you don't want to do them yourself, take it to a tailor. If you've no experience with tailors it might sound like a pain, but there are storefront tailors who do exactly this (and hem pants, sew in zippers, etc), and the experience is similar to stopping by the drycleaners.
posted by cabingirl at 9:49 AM on October 8

J Crew. They make peacoats for both women and men. Their coats are so warm and well made I have gone through the hassle of ordering them and having them shipped on to the UK via a Canadian friend three times in the past few years: once for myself, once for boyfriend, once for best friend. Their peacoats are available with an extra layer of Thinsulate if you get chilly like me.
posted by stuck on an island at 10:04 AM on October 8 [2 favorites]

lands end has good quality clothing. the downside: navy blue only.
posted by killy willy at 12:26 PM on October 8 [1 favorite]

Eddie Bauer also sells a navy blue pea coat.
posted by killy willy at 12:28 PM on October 8

Another vote for J Crew. I have had buttons come off, but the dry cleaner puts them back on for cheap. I think theirs looks better than many others, too.
posted by booth at 1:34 PM on October 8

I concur with above posters that buttons on coats are never sewn on well at the factory. I do know how to sew my own buttons, but I paid $10 for the tailor to re-do all the ones on my coat and they've stayed really well.
posted by radioamy at 5:11 PM on October 8

Schott peacoats last forever and are made extremely well. They make them in rich cowhide leather and also in wool. Check out the leather one here: Schott
posted by orehek at 7:45 AM on October 9