Barbour Beaufort jacket
Barbour Beaufort wax jacket in rustic | Kingsman burgundy red shetland wool sweater | Brooks Brothers burgundy cotton chinos | Barbour green checked scarf in wool and cashmere | John & Paul checked cotton shirt | Berwick brown boots in country calf (from Gentleman Store)
I wanted a Barbour jacket for a long time. It wasn't always that way; however, lately, as I've been more fan of a British way of dressing, it became one of the essential pieces. So it is my pleasure now to pass to you my experiences so far, the advantages and disadvantages I discovered so far.
Barbour jacket was since 1894 synonym for well-dressed people but also a functional companion in the country. With wax jacket, walking in the rain, longer stay outside, and riding on the horse or hunting no longer represents a problem.
But let's see some useful information. My model is Beaufort, longer than Bedale. Bedale is useful for horse riding since it is shorter and possible to unbutton in vents. But since I don't ride the horse and I use it for walking in the rain, covering jacket, walking in nature because it is conveniently practical and – not going to lie to myself – because it is stylish.
The most significant advantage I already revealed – it is practical. Two big pockets, two pockets for warming hands, one inner pocket and something I like the most is the hunting pocket. In the past, it had usage as storage for the rabbit you shot etc. Now it is "just "a roomy pocket: newspapers, hat, scarf, gloves, just anything you can imagine you can fit in. Can't forget to mention corduroy collar which you can lift up as additional protection against wind or cold. It's even possible to button it and have collar lifted around the neck.
“Hunting pocket” - folded scarf easily fits in with a lot of space left.
However, so I am not using only superlatives, I also discovered some disadvantages. Some that I mind a bit and ones I don't dislike but think others might feel dissatisfied. I will share them with you that everyone can make up his mind. The ones I mind are – "Velcro wind cuffs" are here for additional protection against water or wind. It works that you can either fasten them in the sleeves or leave unfastened. However, it rips off sweaters if it is not attached, which happens somehow all the time. And if you are careful to leave them fastened, they are somehow quite tight to put your hand in.
Secure pocket is accessible without unzipping. Yet inaccessible to thieves with studded "Stormfly" front.
The other one is, despite large pockets, the entering part of the main pockets is relatively narrow, and it is not easy to put your hands in. That could be better as well. And other disadvantages which I don't mind or don't consider them as disadvantages but think others could have a problem with that are weight and material when talking winter.
Overall, the jacket is quite heavy and, in the same time, bear in mind that it is made of cotton, which means that it won't be as warm as a down jacket or wool coat in winter. Nevertheless, I have friends who are wearing it in winter without any troubles. Some with inner waistcoat for some added warmth, some without. If the weather is not unfriendly, I still prefer to wear a wool coat when it's freezing. But even in a Barbour jacket, you should be fine until -5 Celsius. Essential is a warm sweater (shetland will add you some style points), hat, gloves and a flask with your favourite whisky. Don't worry. Everything will fit in the pockets, and still, some space is left - the most significant advantage.
Brown calf leather suit best next to the Barbour jacket. Higher boots are also more convenient in nature.
Finally, style advice from me about what suits the Barbour jacket, even that it is perhaps more versatile garment than you might think. Shetland sweater looks very good with Barbour jacket, put that on for complete Scottish look. However, I encourage you to try to wear it over a more formal jacket or tailoring sometimes. You'll look like an upper class in the UK and find out that it is more comfortable or practical than I believe it is now. You can then wear your jacket in unfriendly weather conditions since the wax jacket will protect you from rain or dirt. Wool trousers or chinos and complete the look with shoes made in the country calf. Now you can conquer almost every piece of nature you want to walk on. However, do not climb like this anywhere.
Yours sincerely,
Denis
