As temperatures in my home of St. Louis, MO steadily drop as the days pass, I have noticed many displays of various types of coats and jackets in foggy shop windows. While there are numerous options when choosing one’s outerwear, one in particular has consistently been deemed as classically chic. Therefore, this week I would like to share my growing fascination with winter coats, specifically the traditional, legendary pea coat.

Pea coats are widely known as double breasted, waist length jackets with broad lapels. These traditional coats usually bear large buttons made of metal or wood and often have larger pockets. Oddly enough, Pea coats actually originated in the early 19th century when they first became a regular part of the uniform worn by European navy sailors. Obviously, the usage of the coats has a duality of function and fashion.

Pea coats have the wonderful quality of being very functional and practical for any girl’s wardrobe, whether she’s pairing it with a pair of jeans and a t-shirt to wear to school or with a little black dress and formal shoes to an important family gathering or holiday party. Many coats come in neutral colors such as black or tan to increase such versatility, while others come in colors such as forest green and red in order to assist one in making a large, bold statement.

Regardless of the color choice, the shape and design of pea coats allow them to stand out as traditional, yet exciting. Made of wool, the coats are perfect for cold weather. The fit is a streamlined, slim silhouette which flatters any sort of body type. Because they have been around for so many years, many coats may be available at your local second-hand thrift store or even in your mom’s closet.

Clearly, the pea coat has numerous benefits which as allowed it to stay fashionable for centuries.

(Photo by michaelstars.com)

- Taylor Stone

Tags: broad lapels, classically chic, flatter body type, large buttons, made of wool, pea coat, slim silhouette, waist length, winter coats