Key Difference – Pea Coat vs Trench Coat
Pea coat and trench coats are two types of outer coats with military origins. However, these two coats have different designs. The key difference between pea coat and trench coat is the material they are made with; pea coats are made of wool whereas trench coats are typically made with materials such as cotton gabardine and poplin. There are many other differences between these two types of coats based on their origins, design and style.
Contents
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is a Pea Coat
3. What is a Trench Coat
4. Side by Side Comparison – Pea Coat vs. Trench Coat
What is a Pea Coat?
A pea coat is an outer coat with a short length. These coats were originally worn by the European and American navy and were designed to protect the seamen from the biting chill of the open sea. Pea coats are traditionally made from navy coloured heavy, scratchy wool. However, nowadays softer wools and varied colours are also used to make pea coats.
Pea coats have double-breasted fronts with large buttons, broad lapels, and slash or vertical pockets. The buttons are usually made of plastic, wood or metal. Some modern pea coats also have anchors etched on the buttons as a reminder of their nautical past.
A bridge coat is a pea coat that is worn exclusively by officers. This garment extends to the thighs and has gold buttons and epaulettes. The basic design of the coat is identical to the pea coat.
What is a Trench Coat?
Trench coat is a garment that was worn by Army officers. The name trench coat comes from this military origins since these coats were adapted to be used in the trenches during the First World War. This is a sturdy, waterproof and lightweight garment that can be worn every day. They are made from gabardine, leather, or poplin.
Traditionally, they have double-breasted fronts with 10 buttons, wide lapels, pockets that button-close and a storm flap. This coat also has a belt at the waist and straps around the wrists that can be buckled. Trench coats also have turned down collars that can be worn flipped upwards. Military officers often decorate their trench coats with epaulettes. These various details in its construction are a special feature of trench coats.
Trench coats may have various lengths; some classic trench coats extends up to the ankles whereas some extend to the shin. Khaki used to be the traditional colour of trench coats, but they can be now found in different colours as well. Although many trench coats are double breasted, there are some single breasted trench coats as well.
What is the difference between Pea Coat and Trench Coat?
Pea Coat vs Trench Coat |
|
| A pea coat is an outer coat with a short length. | Trench coat is a double-breasted raincoat in a military style. |
| Origins | |
| Pea coats were originally worn by sailors. | Trench coats were specially adapted to trenches in the First World War. |
| Color | |
| Pea coats are typically navy blue. | Traditional trench coats are in khaki color. |
| Design | |
| Pea coats have double-breasted fronts with large buttons, broad lapels and slash or vertical pockets. | Trench coats have double-breasted fronts with 10 buttons, wide lapels, pockets that button-close and a storm flap. |
| Belt | |
| Pea coats do not have a belt. | Trench coats have a belt. |
| Length | |
| Pea coats extend to the thigh. | Trench coats may extend beyond the knees. |
| Material | |
|
Pea coats are made from wool. |
Trench coats are made from gabardine. |
| Resistance to Water | |
| Pea coats are not waterproof; water will slowly seep through the fabric. | Trench coats are waterproof. |
Image Courtesy:
“US Navy p coat wiki” By Sirimiri at English Wikipedia – Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons. (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
“Fotothek df roe-neg 0006541 016 Ein Mann präsentiert einen Trenchcoat des VEB Be” By Deutsche Fotothek (CC BY-SA 3.0 de) via Commons Wikimedia