WHAT DOES Pea stand for in peacoat?
William Smith
Published Apr 12, 2026
WHAT DOES Pea stand for in peacoat?
Once they were worn exclusively by sailors in the navy, and called “pea jackets.” The origin of the name peacoat is uncertain, but experts think it either comes from the Dutch pijjekker, “jacket of coarse woolen cloth,” or from pilot cloth or P-cloth, a waterproof material used in the US Navy.
What is the purpose of a peacoat?
The pea coat’s double-breasted, eight- or ten-button front with ‘convertible’ Ulster collar were devised to be easily fastened, protecting the chest and neck from blistering winds, rain and spray. Vertical side pockets allowed seafarers to comfortably warm their hands.
What does the P stand for in Navy peacoat?
So, rather than an officer’s great coat, he came up with the “petty coat” or p. coat (pea coat) for short. (The U.S. Navy, however, maintains the name came because it was made from what was called “pilot cloth” or p-cloth for short, hence pea coat.)
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.
Is peacoat blue or purple?
It’s a dark blue.
Who Makes Official Navy pea coats?
Northwest Woolen Mills
The current US Navy standard peacoat is made from 100% wool and is supplied by the manufacturer Northwest Woolen Mills (A Division of The Brickle Group).
What color is peacoat leather?
A pea coat (or peacoat, pea jacket, pilot jacket, reefer jacket) is an outer coat, generally of a navy-coloured heavy wool, originally worn by sailors of European and later American navies.
When should you wear a pea coat?
The versatile pea coat works with casual get-ups to slightly dressier attire. It looks good over jeans, khakis, and wool trousers; sweaters, turtlenecks, and dress shirts; and leather boots, brogues, and canvas sneakers. Classic, rugged, and sharp, it’s hard to go wrong with throwing a pea coat over most everything.
Where did the term pea coat come from?
Etymology. 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. Another theory,…
When did the Navy stop wearing pea coats?
In 2016, the United States Navy announced that its blue wool pea coats — which had been in use for well over a century — would cease being standard-issue for Sailors.
What’s the best way to wear a pea coat?
Whatever number your coat has, they’re designed to be buttoned up; the pea coat looks best worn closed rather than open. The exception is the bottom button, which should, just like on a suit jacket, be left unbuttoned so that the coat can hang properly.
Why are pea coats so constricting for men?
Because pea coats are cut a little closer to the body as well, they can be too constricting for men who are bigger in size not because they’re fat, but because they’re well-muscled.
How is a pea coat supposed to fit?
“A pea coat should be relatively fitted across the shoulders,” says Freddie. “As with most military-inspired garments, the shoulder line should look clean and neat – no pulling at your upper arm. You want enough room for a couple of layers, but the seams shouldn’t hang off the shoulders and it shouldn’t feel baggy.”.
What are the different types of pea coats?
A Perfect Guide to the Mens Pea Coat The classic pea coat This can be considered as the most common type of pea coat available for you to go ahead and purchase. Single Breasted Pea Coat The single breasted pea coats slightly differ when compared to the double breasted pea coats. Bridge Pea Coat
Which is pea coat color?
The standard for historical pea coats was 30 ounces (approx. 850 g) wool, most often made of heavy Melton cloth through the 1970s in the U.S. Navy. Presently coats are made from 22-32 oz (620-910 g) wool. While pea coats are offered in many colors by retailers, the US Navy-issue pea coat is dark blue.
What is the plural of pea coat?
pea coat ( plural pea coats ) ( nautical) A coat of heavy, navy-coloured wool, originally worn by sailors of European navies.