Our Tokyo Coat is an exercise in simplicity, borrowing design elements from classic US Naval pea coats and Florentine giaccones.
Our answer to a shorter cut pea coat or "car" coat, made of thick wool, designed to keep the wearer warm in cold, windy conditions.
The first recognizable pea coat was developed in the 1800s by the Dutch Navy. It was later popularized by the British and eventually adopted by the U.S. Navy.
This design was worn by those tasked with climbing the rigging of ships so the shorter body allowed for a greater range of movement. Thanks to the densely woven wools, it also provided some protection from the elements.
As with many garments which are originally designed for military purposes, the style was adopted by civilians too. Automobile owners in the early 1900’s took a particular liking to them. Most cars featured blustery open tops and required protective clothing and constant engagement with the controls. Again, the pea coat was perfect for the task.
Following the ‘less is more’ design principle, the pea coat makes for the perfect contemporary companion. The simple construction and closure means that it can be dressed up with a sport coat, or down with boots, cords, and jeans.
When we visited the Lovat mill in the rolling hills of the Scottish Borders, we were inspired by the rich colors of the surrounding landscape and Lovat's extensive archive of patterns and weaves that date back hundreds of years. For this season's Tokyo coat, we selected this exceptional woolen tweed cloth, designed to keep you warm well into the winter months.
