Barbour Jackets Make the Excellent Gender-Impartial Vacation Present

As a purchasing 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 all the time thought he seemed actually good in that waxed inexperienced jacket he all the time 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 website. From menswear to womenswear (and even dog-wear), I wished all the pieces.

Whereas Barbour is most famously identified for its legacy in interesting to journey seekers who benefit from the open air and need 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, and so they even look good layered when you accept a light-weight possibility. When Nick and I had the possibility 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 up to date 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 is able to all the time stay on the core of all the pieces we do.”

Forward, I break down the solutions to some widely-searched questions in terms 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 right last-minute vacation present this season. Your family members will not be upset — they might simply ask why you did not purchase one for your self, too.

Consultants Featured in This Article

Nicola Brown is the top 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. While you consider traditional, impartial outerwear, chances are you’ll not sometimes think about shades of olive and brown, however these coats appear to go along with all the pieces in our wardrobes — together with black. Due to the standard particulars that comprise a Barbour — from the tartan inside lining to the distinction corduroy collar, and even right 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 whenever you’re dressed up for an occasion. Even the looser-fitting designs are characteristically tailor-made to depart an impression or resonate with model devotees. After all, the truth that these coats are modular — and you’ll simply add lining, a hood, or a belt — is an added bonus.

What to Contemplate Earlier than Shopping for a Barbour Jacket

When you’re buying a Barbour jacket as a luxurious present for somebody, it is vital to reference the dimensions information and get their particular measurements, if potential. Whereas my boyfriend is usually an grownup measurement small, he took a medium within the Porton jacket, which he rigorously 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 may be machine- or hand-washed at 30 levels with non-detergent cleaning soap. Material softeners will reduce the impact of the water repellent remedy on these jackets, so positively go away them out of the image. Barbour jackets shouldn’t be dry cleaned because the chemical compounds used could trigger everlasting injury or take away the proofing.

Lastly, whereas Barbour jackets are superior layering items, when you actually need to winter-proof the coat, I like to recommend tacking on some extra lining and a hood.

When you merely need to introduce a liked one to the Barbour model, or cannot afford to splurge on a coat, you can even 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 vital 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 potential you have been even initially launched to Barbour by way of its very fashionable line with Ganni, which has lasted for 3 seasons. “Collaborations supply a distinct tackle Barbour’s heritage and it is all the time attention-grabbing 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 gives 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 gives 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 too can buy a small re-wax and smoothing software, 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 may pop in and have the workforce ship your merchandise on to the restore facility, although you can even ship by mail. Reproofs sometimes take about two weeks from time of cost, whereas repairs and alterations take 4 to eight weeks. Essential to notice: re-waxing your jacket may change the looks of your jacket at first, giving it a darker shade 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, Web-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 Procuring at PS. With loads of expertise within the commerce market, a eager curiosity in website positioning, 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.