Is it mad to buy a 100% wool coat?

[bigbandofwif]

Or will it just pill horribly after five minutes?

I'm particularly considering Hobbs 100% wool coats like the Livia. I love the look of them and how warm they would presumably be. But at that price I'd want them to last a long time and continue to look smart for years to come.

Would I be better off getting a coat with 60-80% wool, do you think, for longevity / more structural integrity?

Any insights and experiences welcome!

Excluding raincoats almost all my coats are 100% wool. One is Laura Ashley from late 1980s, one is cashmere from 1960s a couple from a French brand Lillith which must be around 18 years old, 2 Max Mara around 6 years old, and a 3rd Max Mara 3 years old, an Acquascutum tweed of unknown age but probably at least 20 years old and a Cabbages & Roses bought last year. These are all 100% wool. None of them have pilled.

I have a Hobbs coat and a Hobbs donkey jacket which must be around 12 years old- just checked and oddly they are 80% wool. They haven't pilled either.

It's a lovely coat. If you like and can afford it get it.

I got that coat last year in a gorgeous plum colour. I wore it Autumn, Winter and Spring (I live in Scotland!) and it is absolutely as good as new. It is so cosy and beautiful fabric.

Not at all. In my experience it’s actually synthetics that pill more and look pretty rubbish within months.

I own a max mara wool coat and a jaeger wool peacoat.

I've had the former since 2003 and the latter since 2012.

Neither have ever had a single bit of Pilling and both still look new.

It’s synthetics that pill, not wool.

I have an ancient old 90% wool coat with no pilling. It's the synthetic components of fabrics that pill not the wool.

I have pure wool coats and they wear beautifully

It won’t pill.

they are not warm though, not compared to modern coats. Modern coats that are actually warm generally do not look stylish however.

I added links to blarney woollen mills, for long tweed wool coats but they won’t open..

I’d say it’s mad not to (if budget allows).

Thanks, all! Everybody's input has been realy helpful, as always.

You've convinced me to take the plunge! I've made an order so it's now just a question of fit, etc.

Anyway, thanks again!

My Hobbs wool coat on its third winter and looks as good as new.

@IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastleand I can see why, you need all the space in the castle for your 10 vintage coats! I love it that you still have them.

I bought my coat when I was pregnant and my dd is 21.

I tend to make my coats rather than buy off the peg. Only ever buy 100% wool fabric (although generally I buy wool and cashmere) after one coat I made from an 80/20 mix with polyester pilled horribly. Anything with polyester will pull and it just looks a bit nasty and feels scratchy. 100% wool is the only way to go. The style difference and the warmth difference are clear.

Vintage shops are full of 50 year old wool coats because they last so well. The quality of cloth varies a bit but I would say you are doing well to even find a 100% wool coat these days.

I have a burnt orange 100% wool Hobbs coat (bought in a charity shop BNWT for £20 - total bargain) and it hasn't pilled or bobbled at all. It's lovely.

I have rarely had pilling, but on a shoulder, I found it would smooth using a soft clothes brush, lightly and spending time on it. I think it straightened out the fibres. I now do it if I ever see a brushed finish garment where the texture no longer looks right. I don't know the cause.

I have Ted Baker not 100% but its blummin amazing. I've had it over 6 years and it still looks new

Wool is also good in gentle showers

I have a 50 year old wool coat that's still going strong, if they're good quality they last forever. You just have to watch out for moths if you're putting them away for the summer.

You'd be mad not to, IMO. Look after it and it will last you a decade at least.

I wouldn't buy a coat that wasn't 100% wool or wool and cashmere blend. The synthetic fibers are the problem, plus I can always tell by looking at a coat if it is a synthetic blend - something about the slight shininess in the fabric that just instantly cheapens it.
Buy the coat. It's lovely.

Gosh I love that, now I'm tempted thanks @bigbandofwif
Can anyone comment on how Hobbs sizes tend to run?

I am 51 and have never heard the word pilled before. How exciting to learn a new word.
Sorry no help at all.