Barbour Jackets Make the Perfect, Gender-Neutral Holiday Gift

Although each product featured is independently selected by our editors, we may include paid promotion. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our Product review guidelines here.

As a business writer who has spent almost 11 years in the industry, I’m a little embarrassed to admit that I’d never heard of it. Barbour before meeting my boyfriend, Nick. I just always thought he looked Really looking good in that green waxed jacket he always wore. When his brother started begging him to compromise, I started doing some research and found myself scrolling endlessly on the British brand’s website. From men’s clothing to women’s clothing (and even dog clothing), I wanted it all.

While Barbour is best known for its heritage in appealing to adventurers who love the outdoors and want to look polished – particularly in the form of its waxed collection – the brand has expanded into all forms of outerwear, footwear, accessories and clothing. And thanks to its gender-neutral design elements, it really is the Perfect holiday gift.

Barbour jackets are also modular. You can add or remove a liner or hood depending on the level of warmth you need, and they’ll even look great layered if you go for a lightweight option. When Nick and I had the chance to try two new styles, we opted for the Olive porton ($540), a piece from the Barbour x Baracuta collaboration, and the Nora in dark moss ($350), a utility-inspired coat with a short, boxy cut and a D-ring on the chest that I particularly liked.

My attraction to the cropped length came as no surprise to Nicola Brown, head of womenswear at Barbour, who shared some predictions for 2025: “We anticipate greater interest in our contemporary short styles like the Transportation and the Spey. Both have connections to our archives based on design, and the client responds to both the history and the fit,” she says. “The future of Barbour is exciting, but at its heart is the legacy of the brand which will always remain at its heart. at the heart of everything we do. »

Ahead, I detail the answers to some widely researched questions regarding these ever-popular Barbour jackets (shame on me for being late to the game), and explain why I think one of them is the perfect jacket . last minute holiday gift this season. Your loved ones won’t be disappointed: they might just ask why you didn’t buy one for yourself.

Experts featured in this article

Nicolas Brown is head of womenswear at J Barbour & Sons Ltd.

About Barbour

Barbour’s jacket archives date back to 1910 and the brand still draws references to the originals.
Barbour’s classic waxed jackets continue to be made and repaired by hand at the brand’s factory in Simonside, South Shields.
Barbour has expanded the brand’s DNA into shoes, accessories and clothing (for kids and pets too!) – all of which are currently resonating well in the US market.
Best-selling jackets include the Classic Beadnell ($398), Culture Beadnell ($420), and Allerston ($500) for women and Bédale ($415) for men, according to Brown.
Barbour operates in over 55 countries around the world, including the UK, USA, France, Italy and Spain.
Barbour offers a Re-loved program in which you can recycle your old jacket at any store in exchange for an $80 voucher.
You can add a hood or lining to most jackets at any time.

What I like about Barbour jackets

My favorite thing about Barbour jackets is their versatility. When you think of classic, neutral outerwear, you might not picture shades of olive and brown, but these coats seem to go with everything in our wardrobes, including black. Because of the traditional details that make up a Barbour – from the tartan interior lining to the contrasting corduroy collar, and even down to the belts, shapely zippers and metal hardware – the jacket adds refinement to an otherwise casual outfit or can be used for extra warmth when you are dressed for an event. Even the loosest styles are designed to leave an impression or resonate with brand loyalists. Of course, the fact that these coats are modular – and you can easily add a liner, hood or belt – is an added bonus.

What to Consider Before Buying a Barbour Jacket

If you are purchasing a Barbour jacket as a luxury gift for someone, it is important to check the size guide and get their specific measurements, if possible. While my boyfriend is generally an adult size, he ran a size medium in the Porton jacket, which he carefully selected after using a tape measure and referencing the chart.

Barbour jackets cannot be machine washed and should be sponge cleaned only – with the exception of waterproof, breathable outerwear, which can be machine or hand washed at 30 degrees with mild soap. detergent. Fabric softeners will reduce the effect of the water-repellent treatment on these jackets, so definitely leave them out. Barbour jackets should not be dry cleaned as the chemicals used may cause permanent damage or remove waterproofing.

Finally, while Barbour jackets are great layering pieces, if you really want to protect the coat against winter, I recommend adding an extra liner and a hood.

If you just want to introduce a loved one to the Barbour brand, or if you can’t afford to splurge on a coat, you can also start by gifting them a gender-neutral accessory, like the Merino cashmere tartan scarf Or Walker Tartan Umbrella.

Barbour Jacket Designer Collaborations

“Collaborations are a very important part of the brand because they can attract new customers who may not have considered Barbour before,” says Brown. You may have first discovered Barbour thanks to its very popular online with Ganniwhich has lasted for three seasons. “Collaborations offer a different take on Barbour’s heritage and it’s always interesting to work with new partners and see how they interpret our archives… Ganni has taken our signature styles and added his own twist, all staying true to the authenticity of both brands,” she says. Other notable collaborations include Barbour x Baracuta And Barbour x Noahwhich are still shoppable, and previous partnerships with Alexa Chung, Supreme and Moncler.

Are Barbour jackets waterproof?

Most Barbour jackets are designed to withstand the elements, although there is a waterproof category if you want to be safer. That being said, not all Barbour jackets come with a hood or liner, which provide additional protection against rain or snow. Classic waxed cotton jackets are known for repelling water and wind.

How to Re-Wax a Barbour Jacket

Barbour offers a special service to customers that allows them to send their jacket in to be re-waxed, repaired or altered at any time for a minimum of $50 – and the brand suggests doing this on an annual basis. You can also purchase a little re-waxing And smoothing toolor one of the brand’s products waxing kits to DIY small areas of your coat, as well as accessories.

If you are near a store locationyou can come and have the team ship your item directly to the repair center, but you can also ship it by courier. Claims typically take around two weeks from payment, while repairs and modifications take four to eight weeks. Important note: Polishing your jacket may initially change its appearance, giving it a darker color and shine, but this will change over time.

Where to buy a Barbour jacket?

Barbour jackets are available to purchase on the brand’s website and at Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Net-a-Porter, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’sand more.

Rating

Barbour Nora Casual Jacket: ★★★★★
Barbour x Baracuta Porton Waxed Harrington Jacket: ★★★★★

Sarah Wasilak (she/her) is Associate Director of Shopping at PS. With extensive experience in the commerce market, a keen interest in SEO and 10 years as a copywriter within the brand, she enjoys writing in the lifestyle and health & fitness categories. She has bylines at PS, InStyle, Elle, Refinery29, Who What Wear, Elite Daily, Byrdie and The Quality Edit and aims to amplify minority voices in all of her work.