Coat

[P.Brown]

Hello I am starting a civillian's workmen's impression. What i am trying to achieve is a lower to middle class workmen's impression. I do military and im sort of new to doing civillian stuff. My question is: is there any alternative in a coat other than a civilian sack coat in a workmen's impression? Or maybe is it more appropriate to go without any type of coat or jacket.



thanks,
Philip Brown

[Hank Trent]

Re: Coat

A civilian sack coat is certainly PEC. Is there some reason you'd prefer not to go with that? A frock coat or paletot could also do, especially if you're middle aged, since that would have been the standard a decade or two ago. Or if you're older than that, and want a country-hick look, maybe a faded tailcoat.

If you're actually performing labor, yes, the coat would probably come off, but you'd still probably have one around somewhere. Unless you had another alternative like an overshirt. And of course even a workman might have a different "Sunday best" outfit he'd wear on appropriate occasions, so it also does depend on specifically what you're planning to be doing.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net

[Anna Worden Bauersmith]

Re: Coat

As I am a very visual person, the previous post had me envisioning a craftsman working. Several of the men at the local museum wear a version of apron while they work. Some are from the waist down, others cover the shirt area as well. Are these a documentable item? If so, to what extent of commonness?

Anna Worden

[Hank Trent]

Re: Coat

For some photographs of laborers in their working clothes, here's a good site:

http://images.library.pitt.edu/cgi-bin/i/image/image-idx?sid=97284ef4611f8e260f5f46591e5bd2d4;page=index;c=lysh;g=imls

When browsing the images, the second page is where the workmen start.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net

[Kevin Hall]

Re: Coat

Great link Hank.
Thanks,
Kevin Hall

[MomKelly]

Re: Coat

Great Resource!!!

thank you Mr. Trent.

Catherine Kelly

[Mutt]

Re: Coat

That is a great site for photos. I recall tooling around it while researching a Pittsburgh family for a impression at the Fort. I love finding a new workman image. Every time it seems that at least one of the "They never"s is disproven.

One thing to keep i mind: When you're working you must set fashion aside. Practicality is key. If you're cold, wear more or thicker clothing. If you're hot, throw off your coat. If a young lady walks by and you're sweating in your shirt sleeves, oh well, you're spliting wood and need it to have a meal on the table.

I think a new wave running through the discussion board and elsewhere in the world of PEC is layering. Some of the fellows on the site Mr. Trent provided illustrate this well.

This is kind of IMHO: if you're on the poorer end of the spectrum with your impression, maybe layering more akes most sense. If in the middle range maybe consider an overcoat in the cold or a sack or paletot made of something thicker then unlined linen - cord, wool, blends. It's all in what you could afford to buy or someone nearby could afford to make for you.

You can relate this all to madern day very easily. When I was a dishwasher I wore my old jeans and T-shirts, but had a decent pair of shoes on so my feet and back wouldn't hurt.

Ok, so to wrap it up, yes, there are alternatives to a sack coat, but as Mr.s Trent said," Is there some reason you'd prefer not to go with that?". I love mine. :D

Best of Luck,

[PogueMahone]

Re: Coat

Browsing through the images, I noticed on the next to last page a John Peeples in dress clothes and, on the last page, the same John Peeples dressed for work as a blacksmith. Nice chance to compare his clothing choices. And how well he cleans up.

[CC sewing]

Re: Coat

Thank you Mr. Trent! Those photographs are amazing. What I found most interesting was the differences in the hems and some of the outer collar fabrics on the frock coats.

Did you see Peter DeTemple (picture 58, bottom middle of the 4th page)? He was certainly sharply dressed!

[GreencoatCross]

Re: Coat

I noticed that there is a large number of loose fitting, heavy-knit "undershirts" being worn. Most seem to have a placket made from cotton. It's surprising how many of these knit shirts are completely torn asunder, and it's also interesting to see some men wearing them under a white or patterned shirt and vest.

Superb photographs!

Brian White
Wambaugh, White, & Co.

https://www.wwandcompany.com

[Carolann Schmitt]

Re: Coat

Those "loose fitting, heavy knit 'undershirts'" are probably made of wool, which is naturally spark-resistant; ideal for working in an iron mill where sparks from the blast furnace and other machinery would be common. Wool would also be a better insulation from the heat from said furnaces.

The cotton placket would provide a stable support for the button closure. Buttonholes in knits tend to stretch out rather quickly and easily, making them pretty much useless. It would also reduce the likelihood of ripping the placket. In one photo it looks like the placket held up just fine but the knitted shirt wasn't as sturdy.

The various shirts and vests worn over the 'undershirts' may have been worn to and from the mill and removed during actual physical labor. It would make sense to put them back on for the photo, although some men didn't bother. :)

The hats are wonderful, as are all the tools.