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.
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...