Barbour: waxed thread for hood-sewing? Or rivets?

[Fardad]

I have purchased two Barbour jackets (one a sylkoil utility jacket for my wife) and a waxed trooper jacket for myself. Both jackets are without hoods and without mounts for an optional hood purchase. We really would like hoods.

Two questions:

1) Regarding thread, does anyone know if Barbour sells their special waxed thread so that I may purchase and sew a Barbour hood onto our jackets?

2) Since the Barbour hoods come with (I believe 4) rivets/buttons on them, does anyone know where (and what size) female/male rivet I need to have mounted on the jackets so that the hoods clip on?

Many thanks.

 

[Hemingway Jones]

There is an easier fix, my friend.
Send it to Barbour North America in New Hampshire with directions of exactly what you want, they will quote you a cost that is usually very affordable, and they will do it for you.
I have sent jackets for customization and was very happy with the results.

Good luck!

 

[Fardad]

Now why didn't I think of that?
(I do hope the quote is reasonable enough <$100)

Thanks Hem.

 

[Weston]

Most things Barbour quoted me on were $40 or so. How odd they wouldn't have the attachment points...I've been meaning to pick up a hood for my Beaufort for years. Just never seemed worth the shipping though...

 

[Fardad]

Most things Barbour quoted me on were $40 or so. How odd they wouldn't have the attachment points...I've been meaning to pick up a hood for my Beaufort for years. Just never seemed worth the shipping though...

Yeah I found it a bit strange that a waterproofed garment didn't come with a hood or an option for one. Kinda defeats the purpose.

Though I will contact them soon for a quote. I think the shipping is gonna kill me.

 

[jeep44]

I have a hood on one of my Barbours. I really dislike the snaps, as they just don't hold well enough to prevent the hood coming unsnapped as I reach back to pull it up. I much prefer the way the hoods BUTTON on my Filsons-they don't come loose.

 

[Edward]

Yeah I found it a bit strange that a waterproofed garment didn't come with a hood or an option for one. Kinda defeats the purpose.

Fair point.... I think a lot of it has to do with tradition, really - the 'horse and hound' set that the jackets were primarily marketed to being more likely to be wearing a hat (tweed flat cap or deerstalker in the country!), hence not a perceived need for a hood. Just my reasoning on it.... I'm not a one for hoods myself, much, though I do see the point that in very severe rainy weather they can be more practical than a hat.

 

[Micawber]

Agreed. Hoods are often not popular over here for wear when one is engaged in some fieldsports (and by that I do not mean athletics or suchlike, I mean when one is in pursuit of fur and feather) as they can restrict vision and hearing. Like me most people will wear some sort of cap or hat which leave hearing and vision unimpaired anyway. I never wear a hood when I am out shooting or following the hunt even though some of my waxproofs come with studs for hoods and I may just have a hood rolled up in my pocket.

Although there has been a trend over the past couple of decades to broaden the range and cater for demand for more casual leisurewear, the roots and cues for these garments are primarily in work and then fieldsports wear. From the Barbour website

"The shop sold all manner of products loosely described as drapery including outerwear, boiler suits, painter’s jackets through to underwear, and, in the flourishing town of South Shields the shop which became known as ‘Barbour’s,’ thrived successfully. Almost from the first, Barbour derived an important part of its income from the ship-owners, ship builders and seamen of the port, supplying Beacon brand oilskin coats designed to protect the growing community of sailors, fishermen, river, dock and shipyard workers from the worst of the weather."

 

[MB5]

If you go the DIY route and cannot locate Barbour thread, you may want to check at a shop like Tandy Leather for waxed thread, though I don't know if they carry natural fiber thread or a thin enough thread for your needs. You can also buy beeswax and wax any thread you like.

 

[Peacoat]

I think Edward hit the nail. When I am out with the Hounds, either on foot, or on horseback, I certainly don't want a hood in the way. If you want to sew it on yourself, Barbour sells wax in a tin that will be more appropriate than what you can get locally. Also I have some repair kits that have the needles, thread and the wax for small repairs. I think I got the kits when I was in England a few years ago, but they should be available locally, or on the internet, as should the Barbour wax. Whichever way you choose to go, it ought not to be a problem.