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As a shopping editor who spent almost 11 years in the industry, I’m a little ashamed to admit I’d never heard of it Barbour before I met my boyfriend Nick. I always thought he was watching Real looking good in that waxed green jacket he always wore. When his brother started begging him for a trade, I started doing some research and found myself endlessly scrolling the British brand’s site. From men’s clothing to women’s clothing (and even dog clothing), I wanted it all.
While Barbour is best known for its heritage in attracting adventurers who enjoy the outdoors and want to look put together – especially in the form of its waxed collection – the label has expanded into all forms of outerwear, footwear, accessories and apparel. And because of its gender-neutral design elements, it really is the one perfect holiday gift.
Barbour jackets are also modular. You can add or remove lining or a hood depending on the level of warmth you need, and they even look good if you settle for a lightweight option. When Nick and I had the opportunity to try out two new styles, we chose the Porton in olive ($540), a piece from the Barbour x Baracuta collaboration, and the Nora in dark moss ($350), a utility-inspired jacket with a cropped, boxy fit and D-ring attachment at the chest that specifically spoke to me.
My attraction to the cropped length came as no surprise to Barbour’s head of womenswear, Nicola Brown, who shared some predictions for 2025: “We expect there will be more interest in our cropped contemporary styles such as the Transport and the Spey. Both have ties to our archive based on the design, and the customer is responding to both the story and the fit,” she says. “The future for Barbour is exciting, but at its heart is the brand’s legacy, which will always remain central to stand. at the heart of everything we do.”
Ahead, I’ll provide the answers to some frequently asked questions when it comes to these ever-popular Barbour jackets (shame I’m late to the game), and explain why I think one of these is the perfect one last minute holiday gift this season. Your loved ones will not be disappointed; they might wonder why you didn’t buy one for yourself too.
Nicola Brown is the head of womenswear at J Barbour & Sons Ltd.
What I love about Barbour jackets is how versatile they are. When you think of classic neutral outerwear, you might not immediately think of olive and brown tones, but these jackets seem to go with everything in our wardrobe, including black. Because of the traditional details that make up a Barbour – from the tartan inner lining to the contrasting corduroy collar, and even down to the straps, shapely zippers and metal hardware – the jacket adds a finishing touch to an otherwise casual outfit or can are used for extra warmth when you are dressed up for an event. Even the looser-fitting designs are characteristically tailored to leave an impression or resonate with brand enthusiasts. The fact that these jackets are modular – and you can easily add a lining, a hood or a belt – is of course an added bonus.
If you are purchasing a Barbour jacket as a luxury gift for someone, it is important to consult the size chart and find out the specific measurements if possible. Although my friend typically wears an adult size small, he went with a medium in the Porton jacket, which he carefully selected after using a tape measure and referring to the chart.
Barbour jackets are not machine washable and should only be cleaned with a sponge – with the exception of the waterproof, breathable outerwear, which can be machine or hand washed at 30 degrees with soap without detergent. Fabric softeners reduce the effect of the water-repellent treatment on these jackets, so be sure to leave them out of the picture. Barbour jackets should not be dry cleaned as the chemicals used can cause permanent damage or remove the proofing.
Finally, while Barbour jackets are great layering pieces, if you really want to winterize the jacket, I recommend adding some extra lining and a hood.
If you just want to introduce a loved one to the Barbour brand, or you can’t afford to splurge on a jacket, you can also start by gifting him or her a gender-neutral accessory, like the Merino cashmere tartan scarf or Tartan Walker umbrella.
“Collaborations are a really important part of the brand as they can attract new customers who may not have previously considered Barbour,” Brown explains. It’s possible that you first came across Barbour because it was very popular line with Gannithat lasted three seasons. “Collaborations offer a different take on Barbour’s heritage and it’s always interesting to work with new partners and see how they interpret our archive… Ganni has taken our signature styles and given them their own spin, while still staying true to the authenticity of both brands,” she says Barbour x Baracuta And Barbour x Noahwhich are still available for purchase, and previous collaborations with Alexa Chung, Supreme and Moncler.
Most Barbour jackets are designed to be weatherproof, but there is one specific feature waterproof category if you want to be extra safe. That said, not all Barbour jackets come with a hood or lining, which provides extra protection against rain or snow. The classic waxed cotton jackets are known for their water and wind repellency.
Barbour offers one special service to customers allowing them to send in their jacket to be re-waxed, repaired or altered at any time for a minimum of $50 – and the brand proposes to do this on an annual basis. You can also buy one small rewax And smoothing toolor one of the brands wax sets for making small parts of your jacket yourself, as well as accessories.
If you’re close to one store locationyou can come by and have the team ship your item directly to the repair center, or you can also send it by post. Repeats typically take approximately two weeks from the time of payment, while repairs and changes take four to eight weeks. Important to note: Rewaxing your jacket may initially change the appearance of your jacket, giving it a darker color and shine, but this will change over time.
Barbour jackets can be purchased on the brand’s website and at Northstream, Saks Fifth Avenue, Net-a-Porter, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’sand more.
Barbour Nora casual jacket: ★★★★★
Barbour x Baracuta Porton Waxed Harrington Jacket: ★★★★★
Sara Wasilak (she/her) is Deputy Director of Shopping at PS. With extensive experience in the commercial market, a keen interest in SEO and 10 years as an editor at the brand, she enjoys writing in the lifestyle and health and fitness categories. She has bylines at PS, InStyle, Elle, Refinery29, Who What Wear, Elite Daily, Byrdie, and The Quality Edit and strives to amplify minority voices in all her work.
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