A pea coat (or pea jacket, pilot jacket) is an outer coat, generally of a navy-coloured heavy wool, originally worn by sailors of European and later American navies. Pea coats are characterized by short length, broad lapels, double-breasted fronts, often large wooden, metal or plastic buttons, and vertical or slash pockets. References to the pea jacket appear in American newspapers at least as early as the 1720s, and modern renditions still maintain the original design and composition.

Pinterest loves a pea coat. Mine will be the right length, between a jacket and a full-on coat; have classic styling, with pockets; and be sized for layering. Maybe epaulettes and cuff bands (not sure of the correct terminology there!)

I have this issue of Ottobre ( 5/2010 Nanette Pea Coat Pattern no 11). It’s too short, but I can alter it to upper thigh length. It needs more buttons. The in-seam pockets are OK, maybe need some definition. The princess and waist seams make for a nice fit.

For lining I have a piece of Viyella wool/cotton mix twill print of  little dogs on navy. I’ll line the sleeves with satin for easy getting on-and-off.

I want a sharp, tailored finish so I’ll use Thread Theory’s  sew-along for their Goldstream Pea Coat as a guide.

And who doesn’t occasionally need a warm coat in an English summer? It’s going to work with the SWAP too.  But probably not with yellow jeans.

Thanks for reading. Comments are welcome!