I got three, only one of them really too short.

The Sterlingwear is great.

We've had 'Shit I Wouldn't Wear Even if Its Ivy' type threads on here in the past and for me the Peacoat, despite its exalted status, was always a no no. I always tried on at least one every winter but walked away deciding it wasn't the look for me.

But I bring news ..........people can change, oh Lord yes they can ......... and I've had my Peacoat epiphany dear Brothers of Stylee.

I decided to track down a US Navy Peacoat for myself. I looked at various clapped out vintage examples and I looked at less clapped out but rather pricey ones too. I looked at the new ones produced by firms like Schott and Sterlingwear but they didn't really float my carrier battle group. Then I came across this website that takes all the hard work out of it for you:

http://www.vintagetrends.com/military/thumbnails.asp?MC=Military+Vintage&CA=Men&SC=Jackets%2FCoats&ST=Navy+Pea+Coat&SS=&Page=1&

I ordered myself a 1951 USN Peacoat from Greg at Vintage Trends on Boxing Day morning and it arrived this morning, which is a personal best for me in terms of US - UK shipping, just the normal US First Class mail too. Greg is very helpful with any advice you require and does the customs paperwork correctly so there are no nasty holdups, ahem. The coat?  I am chuffed to bits with it. If mine is typical of his stock I can say that when he describes a coat as 'excellent' condition then excellent it is. Mine is the best vintage example I've ever seen.

Here is a good article about the development of USN Peacoats and how to date them:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?35824-PEACOAT-DATING

This might also be of interest.