Its not really a coat either, its a jacket. Aiken’s climate is such that you only need a coat for 3-4 weeks in late January and/or early February and for that I have my trusty US Navy Cold Weather Flight Jacket that “inadvertently” got packed up when I left Japan. A new jacket is a big deal for me because once I find something I like I stick with it (i.e. the 30 year-old flight jacket) and since October of 1999 I have been wearing an MMC jacket. It is forest green with tan accents and has a large embroidered Club logo on the back and my first name in script on the front. This baby has seen a lot of use. It gets worn probably around 275 days a year (sometimes summer mornings can seem cool to me with the top down) and is starting to show it. The tab came off the zipper a while back and was replaced by some string, the lining near the collar in the back is getting frayed, the waist and cuffs are loosing their elasticity, etc.
Instead of the usual Extra Large size I normally get (mostly for the sleeve length) I decided to try and find a Large Tall size. I wanted something similar; lightweight, contrasting light inner lining, water resistant (but not shiny nylon), 2 side slash pockets and elastic waist and cuffs, so off to the internet I went. After an exhaustive search I found just the thing.
Behold, my new outwear of choice, a Tri-Mountain 5300 Panorama in Navy/Khaki/Khaki from the Highland Apparel Company. Hopefully this puppy will hold up for the next ten years as well as the Club jacket did for the past ten. I will still break out the MMC jacket for Club events, but mostly it will be spending a quiet retirement in the hall closet on a hanger.
Miata Top Transitions since 10/24/08: 634
John has you beat. That navy wind jacket with the USA on the back…he picked it up in Atlanta, when the Olympics were there…ah, 1996! He starts to go through withdrawal if I even begin to suggest “retiring” it! I’ve tried hiding it in the back of the closet, only to hear him rummaging through to find it…and so it goes. This is the story of my life.
What is it with guys and old coats? John has two army jackets from 1971, at least that was the year of discharge, that he still drags out on occassion. When he does buy something new it has to be as close to the old as he can possibly find–sound familiar.