A pea coat (or peacoat, pea jacket, pilot jacket) is an outer coat, generally of a navy-coloured heavy wool,[1] originally worn by sailors of European and later American navies.[2] Pea coats are characterized by short length, broad lapels, double-breasted fronts, often large wooden, metal or plastic buttons, three or four in two rows, and vertical or slash pockets.[3] References to the pea jacket appear in American newspapers at least as early as the 1720s,[4] and modern renditions still maintain the original design and composition.[1]
A reefer jacket is an officer's or chief petty officer's pea coat, with the same design but bearing gold buttons and epaulettes.[2] A bridge coat is a reefer jacket which extends to the thighs, giving greater protection to an officer who does not need agility to climb the rigging.[5]
- ^ a b "US Navy-style Pea ("P") Coat". US Wings Inc. 2008. Archived from the original on 2007-10-17. Retrieved 2007-12-31.
- ^ a b Josh Williams (2013). "The History of the Pea Coat". Tails. Archived from the original on 2014-01-07. Retrieved 2014-01-07.
- ^ Stilson, Sam (2007). "The Perfection Of The Pea Coat". The Soko. Retrieved 2007-12-31.
- ^ "untitled". Boston Gazette. No. 22. May 9–16, 1720. p. 3.
- ^ "What is a Reefer Jacket?". 2015-04-22. Retrieved 2019-11-11.