The Vine: October 25, 2013
I’ve been watching Dr. Who a lot recently, and have developed a strong desire for a cool long coat like what Ten and Jack Harkness wear.
(I know there are replicas of those coats available, but I don’t actually want to cosplay as these characters, I just want a coat with a similar vibe — long, double-breasted, kinda military-ish, ideally belted — but a bit more feminine. Also those coats cost more than three hundred dollars, and I do not have an unlimited coat budget.) I’ve searched on Etsy, overstock.com, Amazon, and just Google in general for “women’s full-length double-breasted” etc. etc. and I’ve actually found a coat that looks from the picture like exactly what I want — length, style, collar, flare, everything — but apparently there’s only one on the entire internet and it’s an extra small, which I know I can’t wear, as I’m a U.S. women’s dress size 8-10, and the reviews for the coat seem to indicate that it runs small anyway.
Has anyone seen a coat — new or vintage — available online that they think might make me look like a dashing time traveler?
Thanks in advance!
Chelsea
Tags: Ask The Readers retail
You might try victoriantradingco.com/ or ladiesemporium.com. However, I think you need to resign yourself to paying a pretty penny for such a coat. First, you want one that’s wool or a good wool blend, because that’s what is well made and what will last and stand up to dry cleaning. You might be able to find them on sale for the $150 range but honestly, $300 for a good coat is a great price. Another option is to have one custom made. It would probably cost about the same but it would be tailored to fit you and you’d be able to customize your colors, doo dads, etc. Or if you sew–make yourself one! Again, good fabric will cost but it’s a long term investment and let’s face it, this sort of coat will be in style for awhile (hey, I rhymed!).
Maybe the Nation will have better suggestions.
I did a quick search and I found this on Amazon – you can select a size; there is one small and 4 mediums left: http://www.amazon.com/Vince-Camuto-Womens-Asymmetrical-X-Small/dp/B005I6YB9C
The title of the page says “X-Small”, but the size selections say otherwise.
Try Googling “military great coat full length” and you’ll find a bunch of similar choices
I have no suggestions but this sounds like the perfect kind of question for another blog I read. http://www.alreadypretty.com/ has a feature called Insomniac Sale Picks where you give her a general idea of what she wants and she comes up with a couple of suggestions.
I could’t find a topic similar to what you suggested but if Tomatonation doesn’t find something you like, you could try Sally.
I like modcloth a lot, maybe this one?
http://www.modcloth.com/shop/coats/at-the-operetta-coat
If you’ve got an army surplus store nearby, you might check there.
You might also try bluefly.com (just make sure you set your price threshold). There looks to be a few possibilities there.
You want a trench coat. The ones you mention are actually quite different in that 10’s is a classic raincoat, and Jack’s is meant to be part of a winter military uniform and would be made of heavy wool.
London Fog has a more feminine version of 10’s here: http://www.londonfog.com/Womens-Fall-Collection/London-Fog-Juliet-Double-Breasted-Long-Trench-Coat-with-Removable-Liner.asp
A wool coat like Captain Jack’s will be expensive new. Long and double-breasted equals more fabric. I have a single-breasted LL Bean wool coat that looks like this: http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/61752?feat=504728-GN2&page=classic-lambswool-polo-coat-long
I used Ebay, which is perfect for warm coats in my experience. Someone’s move from Michigan to Texas can be a bonus to your winter wardrobe! So some looking and patience may net you a perfect trench.
Yes, army surplus. (mumble) years ago I dated someone who always wore one of these. It was a basic navy coat from a surplus store (almost bought one myself, sorta wish I had).
On the negative side, not so “feminine” on the positive side, very effective and good looking coat.
holly
I am reminded of my awesome long wool coat (it’s not double-breasted though, but is long and classy and works well on me, I think. The tag says it’s Italian!) that I bought for like, $15 or something at a thrift store in Gothenburg several years ago. It was awesome. And it has a story. So if there are any good consignment/thrift stores you like to frequent, it might be worth a shot, sometimes you really luck out!
Did you look at the thinkgeek.com 10th Doctor women’s coat? It’s expensive but awesome!
http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/f3a4/?srp=68
I don’t know quite how long a coat you are looking for, so these may not work, but Victoria’s Secret has several long-ish double-breasted military-style wool coats. I ought a wool coat from them years ago and it is surprisingly well-made and warm.
http://www.victoriassecret.com/clothing/jackets-and-coats
Zara has a lot:
http://www.zara.com/us/en/woman/coats/double-breasted-wool-coat-c269183p1363520.html
http://www.zara.com/us/en/woman/coats/masculine-studio-coat-c269183p1522010.html
http://www.zara.com/us/en/woman/coats/wool-blazer-coat-c269183p1475530.html
http://www.zara.com/us/en/woman/coats/masculine-double-breasted-coat-c269183p1471566.html
http://www.zara.com/us/en/woman/coats/masculine-double-breasted-coat-c269183p1455085.html
http://www.zara.com/us/en/woman/coats/masculine-studio-overcoat-c269183p1468516.html
Zara runs fairly small–you’ll want to try a L or XL in these.
It’s generally cut a bit different than 10’s double-breast, but you might find something in the length you want by googling ‘duster’, that being the type of coat worn by cowboys. I’ve always thought the duster look was dashing and romantic.
Like so.
Hit up your local Goodwill, if you have one. Someone might have one of those $300 coats that they’ve become tired of and given away. I have an awesome wool coat, and a lighter Matrix-style coat, both of which I got at the Goodwill. I was there today and a lady found a London Fog trench for $20.
GOODWILL! It is made of dreams.