Six of the best modern-day fishtail parkas

You can still buy original and vintage, but there’s a growing number of modern-day fishtail parkas. I’ve picked out a few.

But why would you want one? Good question. Once upon a time, a surplus military parka was a cheap way of keeping warm and dry. That’s pretty much why Mods took to them in the first place.

As The Who famously sang: “I wear my wartime coat in the wind and sleet”.

But this isn’t the early 1960s, and right now, you can pay upwards of £200 just for an old surplus parka. I’ve covered that here if you want one. And I’ve also asked the question of whether the Mod parka is dead. Judging by all the reproductions, the answer to that is almost certainly no. Although you rarely see anyone in a parka at a Mod do these days.

But they’re still practical items in the colder and wetter months, and there are plenty of options out there if you don’t fancy surplus. All have their own merits, with most being premium designs that will be with you for years to come. Just as well, as they don’t come cheap.

 

1. Labour Union M-51 fishtail parka

Pictured at the top of the page and just above, this Labpur Union design sums up the current trend in parkas as ‘premium modern-repro’.

It isn’t the most expensive, but it does set out the template of recreating a classic with slight tweaks and a more contemporary construction.

Available in two colours, it is constructed from high-density poplin cotton coated with nylon (so it is water-resistant and lightweight) and has a classic removable quilted lining to keep you warm in winter. It also has an aluminium oxide zip, snap fasteners, a drawstring waist, and flap pockets.

£195 isn’t a bad price either.

Find out more at the Labour Union website

 

2. Frizmworks Vincent M65 Fishtail Cotton 2-in-1 Parka and Liner Jacket

This isn’t an easy one to find, but there is stock of it if you hunt around.

Frizmworks is a South Korean brand that recreates classics looks with high quality at its core. That means its clothing isn’t budget level. But it is built to last.

Based on the M65, this oversized parka is made from heavy cotton twill fabric on the outer body and a ripstop detachable liner jacket on the inside. The outer is collarless, with heavy-duty mid drawstrings and a YKK zip. The quilted liner jacket has snap button closures and a light down fill.

Expect to pay around £350 for this.

Find out more at the Arnold & Co website

 

3. The Real McCoy’s M-1951 parka shell

Much of what I said about the above can perhaps be applied to this one, too.

This is the new ‘Model 220’ by The Real McCoy’s, described as a reproduction with size specifications close to the original adopted in March 1951. It uses a ‘faithfully reissued thick cotton sateen fabric’ and an ‘accurately reproduced pattern’. The dense, thick fabric is designed to soften with use due to its sateen weave.

The dimensions of the drawcord in this new version have also been set shorter like the vintage version, but elsewhere, this is pretty much what you would expect of a high-end remake in terms of detailing.

Really not cheap though. £770 for one of these.

Find out more at The Real McCoy’s website

Note that The Real McCoy’s also does an M65, which you can see just above. Again, all the details, but also a similar price point of £725.

You can get that at Rivet And Hide.

 

4. Barbour x Baracuta Mods Casual Parka

This one caused quite a stir when it landed a couple of months back. And maybe that was the point.

A collaboration between two heritage clothing giants, this one takes influence from the classic M51 fishtail parkas without trying to recreate the original completely.

Crafted from signature Baracuta cloth, this jacket features a drawcord waist and hem to allow you to adjust the look to your liking with the brand’s iconic umbrella back yoke, a detachable hood for extra protection from the elements and a mixed tartan lining. There’s a touch of Barbour with the cord detailing, too.

£449 is the price of one of these limited editions.

Find out more at the Baracuta website

 

5. Real Hoxton Fishtail Parka

A company that has made a name for itself of late recreating classics from the mid-20th century. So, it’s no surprise to see a fishtail parka coming from Real Hoxton.

Again, a few colour options (including one in white) and a design based on the M-51 classic. This one is described as a ‘contemporary interpretation’ rather than an archive copy, with a cotton sateen outer shell, slant flap pockets, an adjustable drawstrings on the hood, waist and hem, a two-tone satin lining, buttoned shoulder straps, button cuffs and two internal pockets.

The official price at Real Hoxton is £139, but if they have your size, you can get it a bit cheaper at Stuarts of London.

Find out more at the Stuarts of London website

 

6. Buzz Rickson’s M-51 Fishtail Parka

We are back to archive copies and premium remakes with this one.

Buzz Rickson has been around since the early 1990s and interestingly, is named after a Steve McQueen movie character. The label’s trademark is high-end reproduction vintage, from the material used to the details on the finished item.

This is the Buzz Rickson take on the M-51, made in Japan from densely woven 100% cotton, which is described as both durable and soft and with a water-repellent finish. The lining has a set of Urea buttons, which are used to attach the optional liner.

The side-entry hand warmer pockets are lined with wool for warmth, and the zipper is a vintage reproduction of the famous ‘Crown’ zips. One of these costs £489.

Find out more at the Son Of A Stag website

And a budget option…

Most of the ones above are premium options, but there is a company making a budget M51-style coat right now.

Thats the Brandit M51 US Parka pictured here. I don’t know much about it and haven’t been hands-on, but it looks slimmer fitting than most of the others shown here and you aren’t getting the premium quality of some of the other either.

But it has the look, a fleece lining and plenty of colour options. It’s available on the Amazon website for around £86.