Do you have items in your closet you never wear but that you refuse to get rid of? I have several, including a Helmut Lang pea coat—from when Helmut Lang designed Helmut Lang, bought for 60% off at his always-intimidating Soho boutique’s end-of-season sale. I wore it nearly to death—Its lining long ago shredded—and I keep thinking I’ll get it refurbished, because the silhouette is so good. Or maybe I’ll just start over, like maybe this one, from Lacoste, which has handy side slit pockets and a really nice shape.
I think this is just really sharp and menswear-ish looking.
A longer option, from Uniqlo’s ongoing collab with Jil Sander.
This quilted jacket looks like it could be Barbour to me, but it rings in a decent amount cheaper.
The silhouette here is so chic, and I dig the grey.
This is from Stella McCartney and still pricey even on sale, but I love the pocket details and the crop.
The leather buttons here are a nice, authentic touch.
This camel number from L.L. Bean would be aces with a black turtleneck sweater and trousers.
And finally, I like the oversized fit here.
I have a Calvin Klein peacoat I bought on Amazon that I love. It’s a nice dark navy with dark grey buttons, which I like better than metallic. It’s super classic and makes my typical jeans-and-turtleneck combo instantly polished. Great with a watch cap or beret.
Of the coats posted, I like the Lacoste the best, and if I didn’t already have a peacoat, I would buy it in a heartbeat.
I don’t need a peacoat where I live (though it hasn’t stopped me from buying peacoats before), but the Lacoste peacoat (esp with the green beanie) is peak minimalist preppy goodness to me. Feels both vintage (60s) Ivy League-y and super gamine and eternally young in chic way.
Also Kim, you should definitely have your Helmut Lang peacoat relined by a good tailor!! Definitely worth it and I’ve had that done before. Even better, you can now pick the actual lining you’d prefer. Keep your gem out of landfill!!
My husband’s US Navy-issued peacoat is around here somewhere. It hasn’t fit him for 40 years, but both our kids wore and loved it in high school. Meanwhile, I re-lined the leather jacket he bought in Italy around 1970 and wore it (even though it didn’t quite zip over my boobs) until child #2 took it with him to college a dozen years ago.
Kim, if you still like your peacoat, having the lining replaced shouldn’t be nearly as expensive as replacing the coat with one of comparable quality, and then you have a vintage, fantastic coat with a good story.
Ohhh, finally a post with nothing that tempts me – that hasn’t happened much, lately! I’ve always loved the look of pea coats on others but the “big collar-flap -straight-up-and down-double breasted-thing” doesn’t work for me.
That Lacoste one and the Stella McCartney… I have a cropped peacoat in a heavy melton from RL’s Purple Label that I snagged 10 years ago on sale. Love wearing it over long dresses in the winter with tall boots. Love peacoats. Thanks for this post.
I have a MaxMara black peacoat I bought for an obscene amount of money around 2009…I still am madly in love and look forward to it being cold enough to wear it. I’m figuring cost per wear at this point is about a nickel….
You may be able to find a replacement Helmut Lang peacoat on eBay or the RealReal — I snagged one a few years back!
I always buy peacoats online and never end up wearing them. Maybe it’s because I’m too short, but they always just look boxy and “works at a bank” on me instead of cool French fashion editor.
Nothing to do with peacoats, but it’s thanks to you, Kim, that I discovered Seu Jorge, and he is really getting me through the day today. I’m grateful.
I was just looking at peacoats on the RealReal last night feeling mighty nostalgic––I had one in high school and thought I was aces because of it (I was not, but that had nothing to do with the coat). I love the quilted Ralph Lauren one because it looks lightweight and might be perfect for a Texas winter. Hummm…..
I love the color of that lacoste beanie. I can’t find it on their site. I don’t care for the crocodile though. I loved it in the 80s though!
I love peacoats but, boobs…..double-breasted doesn’t usually work if you’re actually breasted. Love to hear any ideas otherwise….
Any intel on how JCrew peacoats are these days? Had one I loved a long time ago…
Oh man, that Lacoste one… soooooo lovely and reminds me of my peacoat I wore to death in college. I might need it in my life, a nice break from the puffer.
I have a black velvet peacoat from the late 90s(!), yes the lining is a little sad, same about refurbishing, etc… (I still wear it sometimes though). I swear, that coat is as warm as a thick wool coat; they knew what they were doing back then.