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Today’s Adventure: Buying a Pea Coat
So being a New Yorker, I have to look like a New Yorker right? And what better way to look like a New Yorker than to wear a wool peacoat. Exactly. Today’s Adventure is my trek to buy an authentic pea coat.
I started this search earlier last week, before the artic temperatures from the North were supposed to blast New York with single digit temperatures. I took the train into Manhattan and met Kristen so we could begin the hunt. First, we started searching at The Gap and Banana Republic. After that, we headed to Zara and then finally to Macy’s.
We headed up to the eighth floor of the giant department store and I found a man to ask about the pea coats. He put his arm around me and drew me away from the crowds and said, “You must be new to New York City??”. “Well, I’ve been here 4 days”, I replied. He told me that to find the best, authentic pea coat Manhattan had to offer, I needed to visit an army surplus store named Kaufman’s. He told us the directions, and said we’d know the right place because they had a cannon out front! Kristen knew where to go and we thanked the man for his “insider tip”. As we walked away he said quietly, “You’ll find a better pea coat that’s more suited to the cold weather if you go there…” but then raised his voice to say “…but I do hope you’ll take a look at the fine array of men’s outerwear that Macy’s offers!!” and left us with a wink!
Kaufman’s was closed that evening already so I had to wait a couple of days later to visit the store. When I got there I had to check the directions twice and make sure I was in the right place… yep, cannon out front as indicated.
So I rummaged around inside the store for almost 30 minutes before one of the busy staff asked me if I needed help. I explained my situation and they sized me for the correct coat. After explaining the differences and brands of coats, I finally made my decision. I found a Schott Navy Peacoat in black and headed to the register.
Hey, you like surprises? -Jim
The man at the register was a really nice guy and we had chatted back and forth briefly before he rang me up. When I showed my Texas driver’s license he knew I was far from home and asked me if I liked surprises. Now normally when a grown man asks another grown man “if he likes surprises”, the immediate answer is hell no and you call the police. But, since I was in public and there was a glass counter was between us, I felt brave. I said I did indeed like surprises, covered my face and winced; but I realized that all he did was throw in two Kaufman’s pencils in with my coat for my surprise. Thanks Jim.
So here I am, weathering the 17 degree weather today in my authentic peacoat.
Cute. Meet any seamen with that jacket?