Homme en caban devant son combi vintage

The characteristics of the real pea coat

Schéma détaillé des caractéristiques du véritable caban

Our peacoat has been designed for decades in waterproof pure wool, an insulating, breathable and comfortable fabric.

This woolen cloth is made by an exceptional French house, “Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant”.

The Dalmard Marine pea coat has two patch pockets on the outside and also, depending on the model, pockets on the chest and/or inside.

Originally, the authentic peacoat had a straight and short cut to facilitate the movements of sailors. Today, a true everyday partner, our pea coat is available in different cuts: straight, fitted or fitted with a martingale. These cuts make it possible to adapt to the styles and morphologies of each one.

The width of the collar of the pea coat allows, once it is raised, to completely cover the neck. It can be closed on some models with a collar tab to keep warm.

The woolen cloth used for the manufacture of our peacoat undergoes an anti-pilling treatment which gives it a firmer hand.

The double buttoning is characteristic of the pea coat. Depending on the direction of the wind, it is possible to close the peacoat on one side or the other to always stay warm.

The steel buttons give all the character to our pea coat. Depending on the model, they are available in black, gold or silver. They are adorned with a marine symbol such as a sea anchor, a compass rose, coat of arms...

The story of the pea coat

In the XVth century De l'origine…

The first European navigators popularized the use of this warm and waterproof garment. From the Maghreb, they would have taken over and transformed a small cape, locally called “qaba”, which was worn by Barbary pirates.

The 1800s … to adoption in the navy

The peacoat was adapted in the Royal Navy from the 1800s.

In France, it is described for the first time in 1845 in a letter from the Minister of Marine and adopted in 1848 under the internal code 45024.

Initially, it is characterized by a row of ten buttons stamped with an anchor like the points of its collar.

The sailors themselves knew how to make it waterproof by means of a primer consisting of tar, tallow and turpentine oil. It replaced the overcoat that had been in use until then, in 1874. Long at first, it was shortened and then looked more like a greatcoat than an overcoat.

The 50s The "Sea Wolf" Look

From the 1950s and 1960s, intellectuals and artists adopted it. Jean Cocteau, Boris Vian, Jacques Prévert, Jacques Brel, followed later by Lou Reed, the Rolling Stones, Patrick Dewaere...

1962 A fashion icon

Yves Saint Laurent is the first to revisit it. The peacoat becomes a fashion classic, inspiring Jean-Paul Gaultier and Yohji Yamamoto.

1967 Corto Maltese

Illustration de Corto Maltese
[Translate to Anglais:] Le caban participe de la légende du personnage de Corto Maltese.

Corto Maltese is the name of an adventure comic book series created by Hugo Pratt. It traces the adventures of a mysterious, romantic and anarchist sailor, lucid and ironic.