The competition's efforts

I think I have already established that I seek perfection in anything I do, and this coat is just one of those things what if it's not right, it's not worth doing at all.

So I thought I would just do a little round-up of some of the coats on offer on the internet at the moment. If you know of any I have missed - let me know with links and I'll update this entry.

I haven't set out to be harsh, but I will say as I see and praise where credit's due, but point out shortfalls where they occur. If I had found THE perfect coat, I wouldn't have gone down the risky route of making my own, where I only have myself to blame if it goes wrong!

HONEST DRAGON

I was (initially) very excited when I came across an eBay listing for a replica of The Doctor's suit and coat. It seemed too good to be true: real cheap and made to measure - just BuyItNow and give them your measurements then in a few weeks I'd have my perfect suit and coat.

It didn't look too bad from the pictures.

They seemed to have grasped most of the key points - and for a bargain of around US$120 (though they seem to vary listing to listing).

However, when it arrived, I was somewhat disappointed. The suit was quite a baggy fit (but at least it wasn't too tight - you can always take in a baggy suit). The coat - which I knew I would be wearing a lot more - just didn't cut it for me. The material - a bog standard wool blend - was too mustardy and didn't hang right. The design was quite badly out.

For example the outer pockets did not even have flaps; the gusseted back was covered off, but this went all the way down to hemline, without a splitted lower.

The lapels are just a classic coat notched lapel, totally lacking the character of the real coat. It's a subtle thing, but when it's wrong it don't arf show.

I contacted them and had a little moan about a few things and they agreed to remake the coat for me for a partial fee. This time it would be a better colour and have pocket flaps.

Sadly when this new coat arrived, it was far far too dar. Almost a chocolate. The pocket flaps had been done (and I believe they have ever since cut it that way) but there were straight rather than at the raked angle they should be. But the real big problem with this coat was it stank! It was a repulsive, almost tar like smell; the smell of a freshly creaosoated fence! There would be no way I could wear that!

3 out of 10, sorry.

As I explained in The Mk I coat, my next step was to do it myself!

Since then I have seen several other 'screen accurate' coat on offer around the net, and to be totally honest I don't think any live up to expectation.

MAGNOLI CLOTHIERS

Magnoli Clothiers produce a real good range of quality looking clothing, for a price. They are certainly not cheap. Originally they had a rather lame looking coat which was not at all accurate, despite having a hefty price tag.

More recently they, credit to them, have taken on board comments and have a more more screen accurate pattern, picking up on a lot of the often missed points, though not executing them entirely right. This is priced at US$695 for wool and US$850 for faux suede.

The colour does not look that good, and is very pink, but I am hoping that is just bad photography (can anyone answer that for me?). If this is the case, then a little retouching would not have gone amiss to give the coat a fighting chance of at least looking right.

They were the first to correctly add the four darts on the back of the coat, as well as the buttoned split below the waist.

Their outer pockets, although the correct shape, are sewn in the wrong method. The real coat has the flaps sewn on above the pocket, rather then into the welt as Magnoli has done.

The lapels are better than anyone else's, but in my eyes still need a little work. The collar remains a little too pointed for my liking.

So, 8.5 out of 10 for pattern - what about the fabric. Well, it looks better than the wool used by Honest Dragon, and is at least a faux suede. The only thing is that it looks SO stiff. Like it is made from cardboard - and creases like cardboard too.

I think if they went with a better material they would have a real winner there, unlike . . .

BARON BOUTIQUE
I am somewhat dubious about this seller. They sell a wide range of clothing from a variety of film and tv, but it all just looks more miss than hit, and their Tennant coat is no exception.

We are back to nasty wool blend fabric, and although they have been liaising with a fan to get a better pattern, they seem to have reached a plateau, which leaves it somewhat short of the mark.

They have included the darted back - but this runs from shoulder seam right down to hemline; their slitted back appears to lack the pleats and buttons; their lapels and collar is halfway between Honest Dragon and Magnoli, and is again lacking the character needed.

This coat was the subject of a long thread on www.doctorwhoforum.com and a lot of people put forward their suggestions to improve the cut.

Sadly, a suggestion I made to contact them and include them in a group buying of the Alcantara fabric came to nothing, as I was warned off by the fan who had been liasing with Barons. I guess he wanted the credit for himself. Never mind.

Although the effort was made, to be frank, it has not resulted in a better coat. It is barely above Honest Dragon, and at US$379 is a much more expensive option.

4 out of 10 for effort only.

Lastly I thought I would share a couple of new entries into the race - one of which is a bit laughable!

Both are on eBay.

The first is by a seller called tssy2005. This is not a bad effort at all. It almost looks like they have taken a Magnoli coat and copied their pattern.

Their coats sell for a pretty good price: US$99 for the faux suede, but US$129 for a wool version.

The faux suede used is a good colour and looks pretty accurate, though like Magnoli, maybe a little stiff.

UPDATE:

I recently found one of the buyers of this coat, and he has posted these additional images of the coat. Thanks to Protowho for allowing me to share these pictures.

I have chatted to him about his coat, which he seems very happy with. Here is what he said about the coat:

After much debate and some communication with the seller I bought this coat off eBay from the seller tssy. Its not perfect and has its flaws but for what I paid for it it is amazing, and is the best fitting article of clothing I’ve had.

It’s actually (looking) redder due to lighting.

The seller was very helpful and made modifications based on request including a shiny purple liner and back buttons. She didn’t include the inner chest pocket but that was due to a miscomunicate.

7 out of 10. Not bad.

Another seller who seems to be working from the same pattern is medinaboys. He had this coat on offer, but I think it was a one off as it does not feature in his eBay shop anymore.

The cut is good, though maybe a little short from these pictures, with some well observed details, especially the orange/red welts to the inside pockets - something I need to address with my next coat.

Fabric-wise it is made from a faux suede, but yet again looking a somewhat stiff.

Nice blue suit by the way - not a bad find there!

7 out of 10 for good observation.

And finally . . . just for comical effect, the last one I'll look at is by a seller called sinwear. A very appropriate name as this coat is sinful by design and sells for a sinful price: US$220!

I don't know where to start with this. It is just so dreadful on so many levels with no redeeming features at all.

How many buttons does The Doctor need to do his coat up?

I almost feel it was made as 'a' coat, and it has been labelled as a Doctor Who coat in a vein attempt to sell it.

In fact the listing states:

This looks like Doctor Who coat as worn by The current Doctor in Doctor Who!

This is not a fancy dress item Made to a high standard

Well, they ain't kidding - it certainly is NOT made to a high standard!

What you probably can't quite see from the pictures here, is that it is made from a herringbone material!

Well it doesn't work for me!

0 out of 10.

Prices and links correct at time of writing blog. No endorsement is intended for any specific design or seller. Blog written partly in fun - please don't take this too seriously.