Things I'm Looking Forward to This Fall
FW'22: Episode 1 - Barbours in all their forms
Fall is right around the corner, and as always, I couldn’t be more excited. Today is the first in a series of posts on the Things I’m Looking Forward to This Fall. They may be things I that I have been anxiously awaiting the first dip below 60 to pull out of the storage bins in my closet, or any of the items still sitting in my cart waiting for the right sale, or 4-beer courage, to pull the trigger or just anything I’ve been obsessively posting to my instagram stories.
First up: Barbour Jackets
An icon of fall weather jackets, made up of the original techwear fabric: waxed cotton. These jackets have so much history, in New (and old) England. But thats what makes them so interesting to style! Its just as easy to play up a classic country-sporting inspired look as it is to lean into a more contemporary neo-prep styling. I’m not too interested in getting into the history of Barbours (and plenty of people have covered it in depth!), so let’s get right to the inspiration:
Rugged Ivy
This is probably the first thought that comes to mind for a barbour: a flannel, selvedge jeans, and leather boots. I prefer contemporary options from Paraboot, or the less expensive alternative of your choice, over a more ubiquitous choice like an alden indy.
Neo-Prep and Contemporary Streetwear
Following in the rugged ivy tradition of combining traditional Ivy items with more casual sporstwear and outdoors wear items, the contemporary trend of Neo-Prep mixes prep with streetwear, in a way that feels familiar and fresh. Mix high and low by pairing a barbour with a hoodie and corduroys or double knees and a sneakers. Hot tip: I’m looking forward to pairing a matching sweatsuit with my barbour jacket and matching waxed cotton bucket hat this fall.
Classic Ivy
Its a classic for a reason. A pair of chinos, an OCBD, loafers and a barbour is a quintessential fall look. Great for forgoing a blazer (if you even really need to wear one) on an in-office and although its not the coolest look, is perfectly fine for one last afterwork rooftop bar trip before the cold really sets in. Mix in other ivy staples like a rugby or shetland sweater
Non Traditional
If the traditional olive bedale is a bit too over done for your taste, there are plenty of options! Over the years, plenty of contemporary designers, including Engineered Garments, NOAH, CP Company, Supreme and Moncler, have collaborated with Barbour to put their own spin on the iconic design. Furthermore, the brands long history means there are plenty of designs lost to time but available on ebay or vintage jackets worn to death and resurrected through the dark art of visible mending. Add in Japan only exclusives like the Spey or jackets done up in Harris tweed.
Where to Buy
Looking to grab one of your own? I recommend checking local Barbour outlets, Ordering from Cox the Saddler, buying any of the multitude on ebay or proxying a rarer Japanese model.