Greatcoat with the kilt?

**Pleater** · 26th January 08, 01:36 PM

I used to have a (British) Royal Navy greatcoat - no idea how old it was but the cut was generous, in that it had quite wide skirts even though the waist was narrow - about 28inches, though it was easily a 38 inch chest size. It saved my life in the damp climate of Portsmouth (Hampshire England) but I really can't remember what happened to it.

It had heavy shiny silver buttons - which were in an envelope in the inside pocket when I bought it, none of the other's had them, but they did not fit me.

The narrow waist helped with the weight, which was considerable in the rain - or even when it was dry. Wearing it unbuttoned was like carrying a back pack with all the weight on my shoulders. To button it up I had to lift my shoulders slightly, and then when I relaxed the skirt was partly suported.

**saecoman99** · 26th January 08, 02:17 PM

cool looking coat

**LadyGriffin** · 26th January 08, 06:56 PM

Anyone know where one could get an RAF wool greatcoat? I have been looking online, and most say out of stock.

I also want to dye it black. Is that possible to do after a coat is already made?

My Scotty has a VERY old one, in black with red piping he got somewhere and it is just falling apart.

Julie

**Wompet** · 27th January 08, 07:45 PM

Here's my pre-Christmas present from my father: a woolen overcoat my purchased in Scotland back in the late '50s. I don't think it made it out of their cedar closet once or twice in the last three decades.

The length is good (the kilt can be seen beneath), and it's actually warm enough to be worn unbuttoned.
Which is good, given the effect Frankenchuck has when it is buttoned.

**Joel** · 30th January 08, 05:18 PM

That's a very nice looking overcoat, Wompet.

**Pleater** · 30th January 08, 05:32 PM

Originally Posted by ladygriffin

Anyone know where one could get an RAF wool greatcoat? I have been looking online, and most say out of stock.

I also want to dye it black. Is that possible to do after a coat is already made?

My Scotty has a VERY old one, in black with red piping he got somewhere and it is just falling apart.

Julie

Some black dyes are actually self destructing, in that they gradually destroy the fibres they are put onto. That might be why the coat is falling apart.

It is possible to dye an already made garment, as long as you have a large enough dye pot, as using one too small will invariably result in an uneven colour.

I'd go for a very dark navy blue, both to buy or to dye a lighter one to, as it is almost the same and probably easier to find.

**BoldHighlander** · 30th January 08, 09:38 PM

Originally Posted by ladygriffin

I also want to dye it black. Is that possible to do after a coat is already made?

It is possible, though the process eludes me

I know that during the winter of 1862, Quirk's Scouts (John Hunt Morgan's command) captured Union infantrymen from Illinois, "relieved" them of their sky blue caped wool coats, later dyed them black and wore them through out the rest of the war.

I'll ask around with some of my hardcore ACW reenacting pards, see if they can tell me what they use for dyes. If I hear anything I'll let you know.

**Nick** · 1st February 08, 11:32 AM

Finally got some pictures of the Royal Army greatcoat with the kilt. This is a loong coat, much longer than the kilt (I believe Inverness capes are worn longer than the kilt, as well).

Worn open:

Closed:

It's tough to button it, and bulges oddly when closed. I wear my sporran a little high, and the waist is tailored. It would probably be better if I lost a couple stone, but if I did I wouldn't have to wear the sporran high anyway

I was glad I was wearing a long coat when I went to the IMS Burns Night dinner. Leeds is a windy city to begin with, but it was beyond reason that day (and today, actually.) The kilt is my SWK standard, a nice kilt but tends to go north in a strong wind.

**Baysideboy** · 1st February 08, 11:44 AM

Why not? I think it will look great, esp. with dark kilt hose.

**kilted_brewer** · 10th February 08, 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by Nick

Finally got some pictures of the Royal Army greatcoat with the kilt. This is a loong coat, much longer than the kilt (I believe Inverness capes are worn longer than the kilt, as well).

Worn open:

Closed:

It's tough to button it, and bulges oddly when closed. I wear my sporran a little high, and the waist is tailored. It would probably be better if I lost a couple stone, but if I did I wouldn't have to wear the sporran high anyway

I was glad I was wearing a long coat when I went to the IMS Burns Night dinner. Leeds is a windy city to begin with, but it was beyond reason that day (and today, actually.) The kilt is my SWK standard, a nice kilt but tends to go north in a strong wind.

Thanks to the recommendations in other threads, I sought out and rented Tunes of Glory from Netflix. Took a couple of screenshots because the kilted scenery is so great. Now I'm on an extended hunt for a greatcoat like Nick's above (and Joc's below).

The key is the length. The P-40 from WPG is a different style and not as long, I think (though it is on sale right now at $125). Does anyone know the model name of the one above and below?

I bought (couldn't pass up the deal) the Swedish wool greatcoat from Sportsman's guide, and it's good, but not as long as I'd like in the ideal greatcoat.

Here's a shot of Alec Guinness as Jock Sinclair in Tunes of Glory in his greatcoat (photo lightened to show off the greatcoat: the shot in the film is really dark)

p.s. I noted that once in the bar, Alec Guiness turns his back to camera as he unbuttons his coat while taking drinks orders: maybe bearing out how difficult it is to button and unbutton?