{"product_id":"vintage-1930s-mens-double-breasted-wool-car-coat-half-belt","title":"Vintage 1930s Men's Double Breasted Wool Car Coat Half Belt Pleated Back","description":"\u003cp\u003eA distinctive vintage men's double-breasted wool overcoat, dating most likely to the \u003cb\u003elate 1930s or early 1940s\u003c\/b\u003e, featuring classic prewar tailoring, broad peaked lapels, a half-belted back and a dramatic deep centre pleat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe coat is fashioned in substantial, textured woollen fabric in \u003cb\u003edark brown with fine, irregularly spaced rust-coloured intersecting stripes or checks\u003c\/b\u003e. The striping adds depth and character to the fabric, while the heavyweight construction gives the coat a substantial, structured appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe design is representative of the generous, masculine silhouettes associated with late-1930s and early-1940s menswear, combining traditional tailoring with practical details intended for warmth and comfort.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDesign \u0026amp; Construction\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe coat features a \u003cb\u003edouble-breasted front with six buttons arranged in two vertical rows of three\u003c\/b\u003e, broad peaked lapels and a generously cut body. The shoulders are structured and relatively broad, creating the strong silhouette characteristic of the period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo lower flap pockets are incorporated into the front, while the long sleeves are simply tailored without decorative cuff buttons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe back is especially distinctive, featuring a \u003cb\u003edeep inverted centre pleat extending from the upper back towards the hem\u003c\/b\u003e, providing additional fullness and freedom of movement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA \u003cb\u003efixed half-belt, or martingale\u003c\/b\u003e, crosses the back at approximately waist level and is secured with a single button. The combination of the half-belt and centre pleat is strongly associated with traditional 1930s overcoat styling and contributes considerably to the garment's period character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt \u003cb\u003e39 inches in length\u003c\/b\u003e, the coat is shorter than many formal overcoats of the period, making it practical for everyday wear while retaining its substantial tailored appearance. Its proportions are consistent with shorter sporting or motoring overcoats, sometimes described as car coats.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eInterior Construction\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe interior is particularly interesting and provides further evidence of the coat's early construction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRather than being conventionally fully lined, the coat features a \u003cb\u003epartial brown lining across the upper back and shoulders\u003c\/b\u003e, with the lower interior exposing a contrasting blue-and-black checked wool fabric. The interior sides are made of the same fabric as the exterior, with a pocket incorporated into each side.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blue-and-black checked material forms the reverse backing of the outer woollen cloth, providing additional warmth without the need for a separate full-length lining.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe interior seams and lower edges are neatly finished with narrow dark binding, reflecting the attention to detail found in traditional tailoring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA \u003cb\u003emetal chain hanging loop\u003c\/b\u003e is attached beneath the back collar, another period detail frequently encountered in older men's outerwear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe present hem appears to retain its original construction and matching edge finishing. Careful examination of the garment has revealed \u003cb\u003eno evidence that the coat has been shortened\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDating\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased on the combination of its broad peaked lapels, double-breasted button arrangement, half-belted back, deep inverted pleat and partially lined construction, the coat is believed to date to the \u003cb\u003elate 1930s or early 1940s\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe overall design reflects the transition from the generously cut menswear of the 1930s into the more structured silhouettes of the early 1940s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDetails\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eEra:\u003c\/b\u003e Late 1930s to early 1940s\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eStyle:\u003c\/b\u003e Double-breasted men's wool car coat \/ sport overcoat\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFabric:\u003c\/b\u003e Heavyweight woollen cloth; exact fibre composition unlabelled\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eColour:\u003c\/b\u003e Dark brown with fine rust-coloured vertical stripes\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLapel:\u003c\/b\u003e Broad peaked lapels\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eClosure:\u003c\/b\u003e Six-button double-breasted front\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePockets:\u003c\/b\u003e Two lower flap pockets; two interior pockets\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBack:\u003c\/b\u003e Deep inverted centre pleat with buttoned half-belt\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eInterior:\u003c\/b\u003e Partial brown lining with exposed blue-and-black checked wool backing\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eHanging loop:\u003c\/b\u003e Metal chain beneath back collar\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eHem:\u003c\/b\u003e Bound finish; no evidence of shortening\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eMaker:\u003c\/b\u003e Not identified\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCountry of manufacture:\u003c\/b\u003e Not established\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMeasurements\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShoulders: 19\" across, seam to seam\u003cbr\u003eSleeves: 23\" from shoulder seam\u003cbr\u003eSleeve inseam: 16\"\u003cbr\u003eChest: 46\"\u003cbr\u003eWaist: 44\"\u003cbr\u003eHips: 51\"\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 39\" at back from collar seam\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll measurements are taken with the garment laid flat, then doubled where appropriate. Please compare these measurements with those of a similar overcoat that fits comfortably.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe coat is in \u003cb\u003every good vintage condition\u003c\/b\u003e, with no pronounced wear, tears, staining or damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is some minor loss of fabric nap at points of contact, particularly around the neck area, consistent with age and use. Overall, the coat has been remarkably well preserved and presents very well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe two functional fastening buttons are somewhat loose and would benefit from additional stitching to secure them more firmly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe coat features distinctive \u003cb\u003eanchor-impressed buttons\u003c\/b\u003e, whose originality has not been conclusively established. They appear consistent with the garment, although visible thread on the interior wool indicates that at least one button has previously been re-secured.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese minor observations are mentioned in the interest of full disclosure and do not detract significantly from the coat's overall appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA difficult-to-find example of \u003cb\u003elate-1930s to early-1940s men's outerwear\u003c\/b\u003e, distinguished by its substantial woollen fabric, unusual interior construction and classic half-belted, pleated-back design.\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Poppy's Vintage Clothing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67690889445481,"sku":null,"price":495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0273\/1559\/files\/1940s-Brown-Overcoat.jpg?v=1792025865","url":"https:\/\/www.poppysvintageclothing.com\/fr\/products\/vintage-1930s-mens-double-breasted-wool-car-coat-half-belt","provider":"Poppy's Vintage Clothing","version":"1.0","type":"link"}