Pea Coat - How To Wear This Classic Coat Style (2024)

In a sea of fast trends and fleeting fashions, the pea coat has stood the test of time, keeping sailors cosy as far back as 1723. Nearly three centuries later, this double-breasted style is still a closet essential.

March is the perfect time to invest in the classic jacket, as the weird weather insists you still don a coat. We’ve fallen for this oversized version from Topshop, with its boyish fit and seafaring hue. Whether worn on the weekend with leather skinnies and a sharp button-down or draped over a slinky slip dress on crisp evenings, this timeless topper will be your favourite piece in your spring wardrobe. Ahead, three ways to wear the pea coat to ensure you sail into the new season in style.

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Pea Coat - How To Wear This Classic Coat Style (2024)

FAQs

How to wear a peacoat? ›

For a smart and stylish outfit layer a turtleneck sweater and slacks underneath a pea coat. You can choose to wear dress shoes or boots, most styles will look great with the pea coat. You can also apply the layered sweater and shirt combination, only with slacks and a tie instead.

Are peacoats in style in 2024? ›

While there were no actual peacoats in Hans Christian Andersen's classic fairytale, both the coat and the book did originate in the 1800s. Of course, this silhouette has been around for quite some time—and in 2024, it could be seen all over the runways.

Is a peacoat warm enough for winter? ›

Pea Coats are warm coats made of wool with a shorter cut to give you flexibility in your movement. And the best thing: they are thicker than trench coats, so they keep you warm on very cold winter days.

Can you wear a peacoat without a suit jacket? ›

When trying on a Peacoat, make sure you're NOT wearing a suit jacket or blazer underneath, because this coat is not meant to be worn with those items. You want the shoulder seams of your peacoat to end where your shoulders naturally end – where they start curving down to your arm, basically.

Do people still wear peacoats? ›

Pea coats are definitely in style, so get yourself one that you like the most!

What coats never go out of style? ›

For longevity, sticking to neutral colourways such as black, navy, camel or grey will ensure your wool coat never goes out of style.

How should a peacoat fit a woman? ›

Camden said, "A classic peacoat should hit about mid-thigh, and a good test to make sure your coat isn't too long (which makes you look shorter and wider), is to stand with your arms at your sides, fingers pointing down; your coat shouldn't be much longer than the spot where your fingers touch your leg."

Why is it called a peacoat? ›

According to a 1975 edition of The Mariner's Mirror, the term "pea coat" originated from the Dutch or West Frisian word pijjekker or pijjakker, in which pij referred to the type of cloth used, a coarse kind of twilled blue cloth with a nap on one side. Jakker designates a man's short, heavy coat.

Why do peacoats have two sets of buttons? ›

The thing about Pea coat was that all of its buttons were functional. Both breasts could be buttoned depending on the direction of wind. That's why the second row of buttons was sewn not for beauty of symmetry, but in order to make the naval outwear more comfortable and functional.

What size peacoat should I get? ›

5"- 4.5" of extra room around your chest and waist and have a close fitting shoulder. For example, if you measure your chest to be 40 inches, the jacket chest should be between 43.5" - 44.5" for a slim but comfortable fit.As with all Off-the-Rack garments, you may need slight tailoring to achive a great fit.

Is it OK to wear a peacoat in the rain? ›

You might be surprised to learn that many pea coats are water resistant. Wool absorbs less moisture than many other fabrics. Furthermore, the wool used in the construction of pea coats is oftentimes treated with lanolin oil. A thin layer of lanolin oil is applied over the surface of the wool.

Do you wear a jacket under a peacoat? ›

Two coats are better than one. Stay warm while still looking put together by layering a denim jacket underneath your coat. Keep the bulkiness at bay by starting with a thin sweater as your base layer, then a light denim jacket, then a peacoat.

Does the navy still issue pea coats? ›

While sailors will no longer be issued the peacoat, they can still buy them, and the Navy is keeping the pijjakker as an optional clothing item.

Do you wear a blazer under a peacoat? ›

Peacoat: Lighter fabric that keeps you warm – but not to the extent of an overcoat. These are only available as a double-breasted coat, and are typically only available in navy color. Unlike the overcoat, these don't go well with a suit or blazer as they are designed to fit much slimmer.

What is the difference between a pea coat and a blazer? ›

Unlike with peacoats and other forms of double-breasted outerwear, they don't have two columns of buttons on the front. Rather, blazers have a single-breasted front that's characterized by the use of a single column of buttons on the front. Blazers are also thinner than both peacoats and overcoats.

Can you wear a peacoat with sweatpants? ›

Elevate your casual style with these fashionable sweats and peacoat outfit ideas. Discover how to create a comfortable yet sophisticated look that will turn heads.

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