Need a Captain's Coat

[Maeve McMayhem]

Hi All!

I figured this was the best place to look.. Hubby is looking for a pirate/Captain's Coat for an upcoming event..but we can't seem to find anything black or red that looks warm..  I've found a few that are made out of cotton velvet, but I'm not sure how warm that would be.

Any ideas?

[gem]

Well, how warm do you *need* it to be?  I think cotton velvet would be about Milord's limit on a cold day, but I would probably need another layer.

[Maeve McMayhem]

We're just looking something that'll do on a chilly evening that reaches down to the 40's.  Assuming it's that chilly.. we could be stretching it a bit. Maybe I'll take another look at the cotton velvet again..

Thanks!!

[Don Giovanni de' Medici]

Well not sure about a "pirate's captain coat", but in the Royal Navy as the British Regular Army during the GAoP and later through the Napoleonic Era coats were made from wool, which is fairly warm in the cold, and downright hot in the summer!  Sorry, but when it comes to that century I have always served the crown, but I would figure that wool, might not be a bad idea.  Also depending on what you line the coat with if you get a fabric that does not "breathe" as well you will keep some more heat in.  I am not sure what you are looking for in wardrobe, but I was pretty comfortable in my cotton coat and waistcoat lined in polyester or satin lining at around the mid 50s in temp.

[Lady Amy of York]

I purchased a wool captain's  jacket  in black  with  red  trim,  a few  years  back  from Wolfstone  Kilt Company.   It is  a medium  weight wool.  I have worn it in  90 degree heat at my home  faire    which takes place  during  the  summer  and  almost  sweated  to  death in it,  but was very  comfortble  wearing it  to the fall time  faires  in 50 degree weather.
Add a wool captain's  vest underneath  and  it will keep  you even warmer.

[CapnFayeCutler]

We're just looking something that'll do on a chilly evening that reaches down to the 40's.  Assuming it's that chilly.. we could be stretching it a bit. Maybe I'll take another look at the cotton velvet again..

Thanks!!

Just remember, if you do get it in black - wool attracts every single loose fiber known to man! And black wool is a major PAIN to keep the fibers off... I have two black pea coats lol

[Maeve McMayhem]

Thanks Faye.

Kadden decided to go with a simple gray one, I do believe.  He figures wool will be much warmer for the Castle!  I appreciate the feedback, I'm hoping that once we get him this one..I can start making him one and have something to go by.

Thanks again!

[CapnFayeCutler]

Ooh good! Grey wool is great! Even when the random fibers find it, it still doesn't show as much as the black!

[Kate XXXXXX]

Well not sure about a "pirate's captain coat", but in the Royal Navy as the British Regular Army during the GAoP and later through the Napoleonic Era coats were made from wool, which is fairly warm in the cold, and downright hot in the summer!  Sorry, but when it comes to that century I have always served the crown, but I would figure that wool, might not be a bad idea.  Also depending on what you line the coat with if you get a fabric that does not "breathe" as well you will keep some more heat in.  I am not sure what you are looking for in wardrobe, but I was pretty comfortable in my cotton coat and waistcoat lined in polyester or satin lining at around the mid 50s in temp.

They still are!  No. 1's, No. 2's and No.5's, anyway...  (Dress, uniform, standard parade uniform, and mess kit{evening dress})  And the company that made the fabric for many uniforms of that era is still going strong.  They now make a couple of poly wool mixes, which are very nice, but the original 100% wool is both warmer in cold weather and cooler in hot.  A nice tropical weight wool with a sleeved weskit under it for cooler weather would be very fine.

I have a Riffles mess kit to remove and replace badges on, and a No 2 uniform for the same chap.  He's been promoted from Colour Sergeant to Sergeant Major.

[guinea]

If you are looking for ready-made, try Rennie Rags http://www.rennierags.com/, they do customs and ready-mades of Captain's coats. Good prices, good people.