Barbour Jackets Make the Good Gender-Impartial Vacation Present

As a buying editor who has spent practically 11 years within the business, I am a bit embarrassed to confess I might by no means heard of Barbour earlier than assembly my boyfriend, Nick. I simply at all times thought he appeared actually good in that waxed inexperienced jacket he at all times wore. When his brother began to beg him for a commerce off, I began to do a little analysis and located myself scrolling endlessly on the British model’s web site. From menswear to womenswear (and even dog-wear), I wished the whole lot.

Whereas Barbour is most famously identified for its legacy in interesting to journey seekers who benefit from the outdoor and wish to look polished — significantly within the type of its waxed assortment — the label has expanded to all types of outerwear, footwear, equipment, and attire. And due to its gender-neutral design parts, it is really the good vacation present.

Barbour jackets are modular, too. You’ll be able to add or take away lining or a hood relying on the extent of heat you want, they usually even look good layered for those who accept a light-weight possibility. When Nick and I had the prospect to attempt two new kinds, we settled on the Porton in olive ($540), a chunk from the Barbour x Baracuta collaboration, and the Nora in darkish moss ($350), which is a utility-inspired coat with a cropped, boxy match and D-ring fixture on the chest that particularly appealed to me.

My attraction to the abbreviated size got here as no shock to Barbour’s head of womenswear Nicola Brown, who shared some predictions for 2025: “We anticipate extra of an curiosity towards our cropped modern kinds just like the Transport and the Spey. Each have ties to our archive based mostly on the design, and the client is responding to each the story and the match,” she says. “The longer term for Barbour is thrilling, however on the coronary heart is the model’s heritage which can at all times stay on the core of the whole lot we do.”

Forward, I break down the solutions to some widely-searched questions in the case of these ever-popular Barbour jackets (disgrace on me for being late to the sport), and clarify why I believe one in every of these makes for the proper last-minute vacation present this season. Your family members will not be disenchanted — they could simply ask why you did not purchase one for your self, too.

Consultants Featured in This Article

Nicola Brown is the pinnacle of womenswear at J Barbour & Sons Ltd.

About Barbour

What I Like About Barbour Jackets

My favourite factor about Barbour jackets is simply how versatile they’re. Once you consider traditional, impartial outerwear, chances are you’ll not sometimes think about shades of olive and brown, however these coats appear to go together with the whole lot in our wardrobes — together with black. Due to the normal particulars that comprise a Barbour — from the tartan inside lining to the distinction corduroy collar, and even all the way down to the belts, shapely zippers, and metallic {hardware} – the jacket both provides polish to an in any other case informal outfit or can be utilized for additional heat once you’re dressed up for an occasion. Even the looser-fitting designs are characteristically tailor-made to go away an impression or resonate with model devotees. In fact, the truth that these coats are modular — and you’ll simply add lining, a hood, or a belt — is an added bonus.

What to Think about Earlier than Shopping for a Barbour Jacket

When you’re buying a Barbour jacket as a luxurious present for somebody, it is necessary to reference the scale information and get their particular measurements, if attainable. Whereas my boyfriend is often an grownup dimension small, he took a medium within the Porton jacket, which he fastidiously chosen after utilizing a measuring tape and referencing the chart.

Barbour jackets can’t be machine-washed and must be sponge-cleaned solely — save for the waterproof breathable outerwear, which might be machine- or hand-washed at 30 levels with non-detergent cleaning soap. Cloth softeners will reduce the impact of the water repellent therapy on these jackets, so positively depart them out of the image. Barbour jackets shouldn’t be dry cleaned because the chemical substances used could trigger everlasting injury or take away the proofing.

Lastly, whereas Barbour jackets are superior layering items, for those who actually wish to winter-proof the coat, I like to recommend tacking on some further lining and a hood.

When you merely wish to introduce a beloved one to the Barbour model, or cannot afford to splurge on a coat, it’s also possible to begin by gifting them a gender-neutral accent, just like the Merino Cashmere Tartan Scarf or Tartan Walker Umbrella.

Barbour Jacket Designer Collaborations

“Collaborations are a very necessary a part of the model as a result of they’ll entice new prospects who could not have beforehand thought of Barbour,” Brown explains. It is attainable you have been even initially launched to Barbour via its very fashionable line with Ganni, which has lasted for 3 seasons. “Collaborations provide a unique tackle Barbour’s heritage and it is at all times fascinating to work with new companions and to see how they interpret our archive . . . Ganni has taken our signature kinds and added their very own twist, whereas nonetheless staying true to the authenticity of each manufacturers,” she says. Different notable collaborations embody Barbour x Baracuta and Barbour x Noah, that are nonetheless shoppable, and earlier partnerships with Alexa Chung, Supreme, and Moncler.

Are Barbour Jackets Waterproof?

Most Barbour jackets are designed to be weatherproof, although there is a particular waterproof class if you wish to be additional secure. That being mentioned, not all Barbour jackets come geared up with a hood or liner, which provides additional safety from the rain or snow. The traditional waxed cotton jackets are identified for repelling water and wind.

How one can Re-Wax a Barbour Jacket

Barbour provides a particular service to prospects that permits them to ship of their jacket to be re-waxed, repaired, or altered at any time for no less than $50 — and the model suggests doing this on an annual foundation. You can too buy a small re-wax and smoothing device, or any of the model’s waxing kits to DIY small areas of your coat, in addition to equipment.

When you’re near a retailer location, you possibly can pop in and have the crew ship your merchandise on to the restore facility, although it’s also possible to ship by mail. Reproofs sometimes take about two weeks from time of cost, whereas repairs and alterations take 4 to eight weeks. Necessary to notice: re-waxing your jacket may change the looks of your jacket at first, giving it a darker coloration and sheen — however it will change with time.

The place Can You Purchase a Barbour Jacket?

Barbour jackets can be found to buy on the model’s web site and at Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Internet-a-Porter, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, and extra.

Ranking

Barbour Nora Informal Jacket: ★★★★★
Barbour x Baracuta Porton Waxed Harrington Jacket: ★★★★★

Sarah Wasilak (she/her) is the affiliate director of Purchasing at PS. With loads of expertise within the commerce market, a eager curiosity in search engine optimisation, and 10 years as an editor on the model, she enjoys writing throughout the life-style and health-and-fitness classes. She has bylines at PS, InStyle, Elle, Refinery29, Who What Put on, Elite Day by day, Byrdie, and The High quality Edit and goals to amplify minority voices in all her work.