Explain the appeal of Barbour to me

[Anonymous]

It depends how you wear it. If you are wearing it for hunting hours at a time in the rain, then yes, re-wax it yearly.

If you are wearing it around the DMV, into and out of the metro and through the Whole Foods parking lot, you don’t need to re-wax annually.

[Anonymous]

In the early 90’s, I had a Barbour jacket that I wore all the time. I worked with horses.

I think it’s easy to forget how far the fabric technology has come. Gortex was new and didn’t work well. There weren’t a lot of layers that you could sweat in without being soaked but would keep your reasonably dry in wet weather. A wool sweater under a Barbour is a really good combo on a lightly rainy, moderately cold day.

The brand has clearly been sold, but the waxed jackets are probably still good because I’m sure they know that’s the thing they have to protect.

That said, when mine died I didn’t replace it. There are so many good synthetic options now that are stretchy and more comfortable and work better as far as rain.

But there is something cozy about them, I get it. And the hand warmer pockets really were the best. I guess because the canvas was rigid so they really kind of held up your hands? My new coats have hand pockets but they don’t work the same way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It depends how you wear it. If you are wearing it for hunting hours at a time in the rain, then yes, re-wax it yearly.

If you are wearing it around the DMV, into and out of the metro and through the Whole Foods parking lot, you don’t need to re-wax annually.

No one actually hunts in barbour- it is not technical gear. It is good for something that looks nicer than a north face and it's a certain aesthetic and lasts forever. I've worn mine heavily in the fall for 20 years and it still looks great. I had one rewax

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A lot of ski jackets now say to refresh their waterproofing with a spray coating. I hate that, but it's getting more common.

+1

Especially since, like most people and most gear, especially after covid, you actually want to WASH it!
I can't stand the thought of winter coats and pants without a wash, so I'm more than happy to reapply the waterproofing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Really basic stuff that seemed popular in 2015 and now looks pretty dated.

They are a classic & functional outdoor. When the central city/burb cohort took it on it became "fashion" and therefore the comments on this thread.

[Anonymous]

I have a lightweight quilted long coat/jacket that I thrifted. No waxing needed. Looks a bit more elevated than my usual Eddie Bauer or Columbia jackets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Really basic stuff that seemed popular in 2015 and now looks pretty dated.

You're either very young, or stupid, or possibly both. Barbour has been around since the 19th century and is not a fashion item.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate most labels, you’re really off the mark on this one OP.

Nope. It’s a major inconvenience. Have fun making a mess rewaxing or paying yearly fees to the store just so you can wear it. What a joke.

Tell me you don’t own one without telling me. Sorry you’re poor!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In the early 90’s, I had a Barbour jacket that I wore all the time. I worked with horses.

I think it’s easy to forget how far the fabric technology has come. Gortex was new and didn’t work well. There weren’t a lot of layers that you could sweat in without being soaked but would keep your reasonably dry in wet weather. A wool sweater under a Barbour is a really good combo on a lightly rainy, moderately cold day.

The brand has clearly been sold, but the waxed jackets are probably still good because I’m sure they know that’s the thing they have to protect.

That said, when mine died I didn’t replace it. There are so many good synthetic options now that are stretchy and more comfortable and work better as far as rain.

But there is something cozy about them, I get it. And the hand warmer pockets really were the best. I guess because the canvas was rigid so they really kind of held up your hands? My new coats have hand pockets but they don’t work the same way.

I wear this one and a similar waxed one. Love them.

https://www.farmhousetack.com/products/barbour-womens-belted-country-utility-quilted-jacket?variant=43326431756473¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAivGuBhBEEiwAWiFmYR2tWLBJq11kuACPryAQ3nLnuvKxLkfubypZxHj0QY9dpEqasVghKRoCSUIQAvD_BwE

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It depends how you wear it. If you are wearing it for hunting hours at a time in the rain, then yes, re-wax it yearly.

If you are wearing it around the DMV, into and out of the metro and through the Whole Foods parking lot, you don’t need to re-wax annually.

No one actually hunts in barbour- it is not technical gear. It is good for something that looks nicer than a north face and it's a certain aesthetic and lasts forever. I've worn mine heavily in the fall for 20 years and it still looks great. I had one rewax

It actually is technical gear, meant for hunting and/or riding, depending on the model.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It depends how you wear it. If you are wearing it for hunting hours at a time in the rain, then yes, re-wax it yearly.

If you are wearing it around the DMV, into and out of the metro and through the Whole Foods parking lot, you don’t need to re-wax annually.

No one actually hunts in barbour- it is not technical gear. It is good for something that looks nicer than a north face and it's a certain aesthetic and lasts forever. I've worn mine heavily in the fall for 20 years and it still looks great. I had one rewax

It actually is technical gear, meant for hunting and/or riding, depending on the model.

I think maybe one of you is talking about hunting with guns or a bow and one of you is talking about foxhunting.

For the record, I don’t think you can wear a Barbour for foxhunting? My experience with foxhunters is they’re usually wearing formal attire, and also they’re drunk and insane (in the best way) and if they had to wear a bathing suit they would still go hunting.

[Anonymous]

I think another argument for wax for a barn coat is that everything is dusty and dirty and abrasive, so other waterproof coatings are going to wear off really quickly.

[Anonymous]

It 100% makes sense if you are outside in all weather. It looks better than most alternatives made out of synthetic materials.

[Anonymous]

My husband got one for Christmas. It looks amazing on him. It's the perfect jacket to look casual and put together at the same time.

also, he looks so good in it. $400+ is about how much a jacket or coat costs now. Definitely worth it in my opinion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Really basic stuff that seemed popular in 2015 and now looks pretty dated.

LOL. I got mine after watching The Crown and seeing Princess Diana and all the royals wearing Barbour at the country estate for a bunch of episodes, then reading a companion piece about why the royals have loved Barbour for generations. Not exactly a 2015 trendy thing