woman's pea coats

[damobussi]

When did they start making pea coats for women in the navy .I am looking to purchase a coat for a female approx. 5' 5"inches tall most likely a current modern day naval issue she say's she is a size 12 . I"m thinking size 12 short any one know if my thinking for size is correct , i live in australia and would be purchasing from usa so want to get correct fit i feel a 12 regular would be a bit loose in the body . Also when did the dscp tag come into use on the coats thanks in advance for any help or advice regards damian

[Peacoat]

Can't be of much help to you. All I can do is relate size in terms of vintage coats. My wife is 5'4" and is a size 4 at about 118 lbs.. She wears a size 34 vintage, which is a man's size. She could probably wear a size 32 as well.

I'm not sure of the date the DCSP (Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia) label began, but I have G-1 by Excelled with that type of label. Kinda hard to read, but I think the date is 2001.

If you want a modern issue, the closest you probably will find is the Sterlingwear. I believe they have women's' sizes also. If not, a size 38 in a Classic might be a good fit for her. Sterlingwear's site has fitting guidelines you might want to take a look at.

[AngryNJ]

Schott makes a version of the 32 oz wool peacoat for women.

[Doctor Strange]

The other major American makers, Sterlingwear and Fidelity, also make several models in women's sizes. My daughter had a Fidelity for a while, and it was a very nice coat for a reasonable price, just a hair less well-made than my own Sterlingwear. (Alas, it got lost when her mom moved last summer!) Sizing on peacoats is tricky, but both Fidelity and Sterlingwear have charts you can consult.

Fidelity site: https://www.fidelitysportswear.biz/Default.aspx

Sterlingwear site: http://www.sterlingwear.com/cart/index.php?p=home

My own favorite dealer for this sort of thing (with good prices and service) is the Barre Army-Navy Store: http://www.vtarmynavy.com/pea_coats.htm

[Dixie_Amazon]

Some women can wear men's pea coats since they are more forgiving when you have hips than other menswear.