Pea Coat Alterations

[guygardner]

Hi,
I had purchased a WWII pea coat believing it was a size 38, but it came to me about a size too large. I had the shoulders and back brought in so it is now quite fitted, except for the sleeves, which I find a little too loose. I was wondering if anyone who owns a WWII pea coat could tell me how the sleeves fit? Should they be as fitted as the rest of the coat?

 

[EmergencyIan]

I think the sleeves should be left alone as far as their "diameter" goes. I could be wrong, but I wouldn't think a size 40 Pea Coat sleeves would be any bigger around than a size 38 Pea Coat.

The sleeve length is a different issue, of course. I would think that if they're too long for your liking that you should have them shortened, considering the other alterations that have already been made to the coat.

- Ian

 

[guygardner]

Thanks,
Actually I'm not sure of the original size. It may have been 40 or 42. It has been tailored to around 36-38. It's fitted for me, and I'm around 5'8, 165 lbs. I had it altered in Beijing, so the cost was really affordable. The sleeves were brought up when she altered the shoulders and back, but the diameter of the sleeves feels a little roomy (although not really noticeable). Are the sleeves on a WWII pea coat roomy or closer fitting?

I love the WWII pea coat styling though, very different from other pea coats.

 

[EmergencyIan]

My experience, with a WWII Pea Coat, is that the sleeves are somewhere in between close fitting and roomy. Of course, the fit is also going to depend on how big around your arms are.

- Ian