Barbour: six of the best

A close-up of the Brit brand’s jackets

Once upon a time it was all about the weather. Fishermen, shepherds, dockworkers and sailors were all exposed to the elements and needed something to protect them. Enter former shepherd John Barbour, a draper from the Scottish village of Galloway. He opened a shop in South Shields selling oilskin jackets that looked after the outdoorsmen of his day, men who would buy a coat and wear it day in, day out for years. Lifetimes, even.

That was in 1894. By 1908 the company progressed to selling motorbike jackets. Then came hunters’ jackets and coats for horsemen. For eighty years it grew its reputation as a niche provider of seriously functional coats and then in 1974 came the reward of its first royal warrant. The first of three, all of which it still holds.
Now, with all that impressive tradition stuffing its archives the brand from the North East of England could easily be weighed down by the past. Instead it uses this bulging scrapbook of ideas as a springboard to help it innovate. Today’s fits are slimmer, the details better considered than ever and the overall effect ultimately wearable – as any brand fan will tell you. So much so, that it’s not just about the weather anymore but with temperatures now dropping and precipitation rising, there’s no better time to get your next Barbour.

HERE ARE SIX OF THE BEST:

Standen

WHAT: A country-styled vintage wax garment with a drawcord hood.

HOW: The Standen is a remake of the classic wax Barbour that comes in a stylishly shortened cut for modern dressing. Try it with slim jeans or even skinny if you’re that way inclined. It’s the perfect foil for your new knits.

DETAILS:

6oz Sylkoil waxed cotton outer
100% cotton Barbour Tartan lining
Sponge clean only
Six pockets including two internals and two slips
Brown cord collar
Suede tabs and D-rings

Alderley

WHAT: The Alderley takes the functionality of Barbour’s classic Liddesdale quilt and adds a shaped hem with a washed down cord collar and edge binding.

HOW: This slimmed down and sexed-up version of the traditional quilt contrasts a distressed country look with the slick quilt finish, making this jacket a versatile one that is perfect for wearing with textures like distressed denim or corduroy while also doubling up as a trim commuter coat for slipping on over your suit.

DETAILS:

100% polyamide outer with 100% polyamide filling
2" Boxed quilt, 100g wadding
Washed down cord on collar
Inner zipped patch pocket
Machine washable at 30°C
Branded press stud fasteners

Hartland

WHAT: a shorter slim fit quilt with a clean up-to-date military look.

HOW: Like the Alderley, the Hartland takes the classic quilt and remakes it in a modern style. Plus, with its breast pocket and cuff fasteners, there is a tailored army-style detailing that gives this jacket a minimal yet casual look that is ideal for teaming with raw denim and chocolate leather shoes.

DETAILS:

100% polyamide outer with 100% polyamide filling
2" Boxed quilt, 100g wadding
Chest pocket and two front slip pockets
Machine washable at 30°C
Press stud cuff fasteners
Embroidered brand logo

Whitby

WHAT: Made on a slim-lined block to give a trimmer silhouette, the Whitby takes elements from the Barbour archive and is part fisherman’s jacket and part mountain parka.

HOW: The Whitby is the smartest piece in your casual wardrobe. Worn with simple jeans, graphic T-shirt and canvas pumps it adds respectability to your look. While teamed with chinos, shirt and knitted tie, it creates a sort of tailored countryside charm – like brogues for your body.

DETAILS:

68% Cotton, 32% Nylon
Drawstring at waist and hem, grown on hood detail
Button tab to tighten the double cuffs
Internal pocket with Velcro fastener
Four darted patch pockets at the front

Hurst

WHAT: The original waxed style gets remixed in a shorter slimmer block with lobster clip fasteners to give a military feel.

HOW: As a newer take on the old school wax, there is a special charm to Hurst. And while it doesn’t flare out like the vintage waxed jackets (it is, in fact, much more flattering) it does retain the clean lines. Go all out country in distressed denim, tan brogues and a Fair Isle knit in the rain, or fling it on over skinny jeans and graphic T-shirt for the urban thornbush.

DETAILS:

6oz Sylkoil, 100% Waxed Cotton
100% Cotton Barbour Tartan lining
Cord collar, studded for optional hood
Inner elasticated wind cuffs, inner patch pocket
Sponge clean only
Underarm eyelets for aeration

Osprey

WHAT: Midweight tweed effect zip through knit with woven tweed trim.

HOW: Wear it as a layer or a light jacket – the speckled yarn of the body and full-on tweed shoulder patches give this zip through a traditional feel that will harmonise with the Alderley or Hartland quilts for the colder months or will add an olive military mood to mid blue jeans.

DETAILS: