The Get of All Gets, Barbour International...

[Hemingway Jones]

So, I have been longing for a Barbour International Jacket for years. After seeing so a few in Venice last week, I have really wanted one.

I was just about to buy one from coatsandhats.com with the great exchange rate for $336, when I decided to hit the outlets on a whim hoping, probably against all hopes, that there might be a Barbour International just waiting for me.

I looked around and found nothing, then the salesperson brought me to a rack in the corner and there she was; my hope beyond all expectations:

A Leather and Wax Cotton Barbour International Jacket!

Now, the retail price of this particular jacket is $850, since it is leather, $450 more than the waxed cotton model.

I asked her how much?
"$300," she said.
I could hardly believe what she had said.
Bam! Mine!





Now, a quick review: The leather is exquisite, buttery soft, but tough and treated to be entirely waterproof. I know, I was caught in a downpour in the North End yesterday. The rain rolled off me like I was a freshly waxed car. Furthermore, I was warm, dry, and comfortable, since the jacket breathes naturally.

The waxed cotton portions have the same water repellency and are perfectly matched up to the leather pieces. In fact, it is difficult to discern visually which pieces are leather and which are waxed cotton.

The pockets are cavernous and easily accessed, especially the Napoleon pocket, of sorts, conveniently located on the left breast. I find it to be perfect for my cellphone. The pocket on the right breast snaps over and has a convenient and secure zippered pocket beneath.

The hardware is heavy duty, well placed, and slid or snap effortlessly. The lining is moderate polyester fiber, I believe, and insulates very well. I rode my Vespa in the mid-40s and was comfortable.

The fit? Perfect!

All in all, I have never been so happy with a jacket and intend to keep this for the rest of my life!

Now, all I need is the vintage Moto Guzzi to go with it!

 

[Daniel Hunter]

Excellent find Sir, it looks great on you!

ps: Actually that coat would be better suited to a vintage off road Triumph.....think Steve McQueen.

 

[Flitcraft]

"Ding!" And another score for the lucky Gent!...

Well played, Sir, well played!
I love it when I score a "Grail" and I get it at a bargain!

 

[scotrace]

I see why you were excited about this - it looks fantastic. What is the lower end temperature for wearing it?

 

[Hemingway Jones]

I see why you were excited about this - it looks fantastic. What is the lower end temperature for wearing it?

Thanks, My Friend!
I'm not sure what the low end temp would be. I was toasty warm in the mid forties with a light sweater underneath. With a base layer of Capilene and fleece over, perhaps 20s???
For anything Biblically cold, the parka comes out!

Thank you all, gentleman!

 

[DBLIII]

That is a fantastic looking coat. I have thought about one for many years, but never could find one and a vintage Triumph at the same time.
May you truly enjoy wearing it!


[well, of course I'm being cordial, what I'd like to say is - hey, why didn't I find it???]

I wonder if it would look out of place on an almost 20 year old Harley? Probably...

 

[rgraham]

Good score.

I wish my waxed version had the black snaps.

 

[Edward]

Very nice. I'm keen on eventually picking up a waxed version myself. The best deal I've found on a waxed cotton version here in the UK was gbp198 or so - about the same as you paid for that leather one. I don't recall exactly what the leather ones go for over here, but I believe you paid a bit less than half price for yours.

 

[Hemingway Jones]

Good score.

I wish my waxed version had the black snaps.

What color are the snaps on yours? Are they the shiny gold ones?

Edward, Barbour seems much cheaper in the UK. They are such great items and do not have that high fashion cache', which I like. They are sensible, tough garment for active people.

 

[BellyTank]

I have a waxed cotton one- it has brass finish snaps. It's about 10 yrs old.
I originally bought it for my Wife, A s40 jacket. I recently rediscovered it and have been using it- I would normally take a s42 but I'm happy with the fit of the s40. It has the snap-in furry liner, which is good in the cold.
Waxed cotton jackets can feel a bit clammy in cold and damp- surprisingly.

I find that this model of jacket is cut well- having close armholes, allowing good arm movement.

I removed the Barbour patch from mine, a vast improvement.
I'm not a Barbour person.


B
T

 

[H.Johnson]

Edward,

Barbour items are sold cheaply in the UK through 'factory outlets' - often the same ones used by Orvis. They tend to specialise in the 'outdoor' range.

For cheap vintage Barbour bike gear I find the vintage bike shows are best.

 

[H.Johnson]

The Trials range (A530 and A540) has black snaps. The Heritage range (e.g. A7) has brass snaps. The A7 and A540 are usually available just over 200 GBP by mail order in the UK. The A540 is usually around 190 GBP mail order. Occasionally you can get a free scarf or pile liner in the deal. Barbour are cheaper in the UK the further north you go.

What color are the snaps on yours? Are they the shiny gold ones?

Edward, Barbour seems much cheaper in the UK. They are such great items and do not have that high fashion cache', which I like. They are sensible, tough garment for active people.

 

[Edward]

What color are the snaps on yours? Are they the shiny gold ones?

I believe this is a difference between two models: there's the regular International, which has the black snaps, and the Vintage International, which is available in brown and has brass colourd fittings. Otherwise, I can't see any difference myself (and the difference in price is minimal to nothing).

Edward, Barbour seems much cheaper in the UK. They are such great items and do not have that high fashion cache', which I like. They are sensible, tough garment for active people.

Edward,

Barbour items are sold cheaply in the UK through 'factory outlets' - often the same ones used by Orvis. They tend to specialise in the 'outdoor' range.

For cheap vintage Barbour bike gear I find the vintage bike shows are best.

I'll have to check out the Outlets.... I've seen some good deals on eBay, too. Still watching there for the right one.... Barbour definitely are much more sensibly priced than Belstaff. Although, as far as I can gather, the wax cotton trialmaster has been cancelled from the range, it seems to me that the equivalent Belstaffs are always about a third more than the price of the equivalent Barbour. In any case, the current Barbour international is much more accurate to the original design, maintaining the slanted pocket which the mor recent Trialmasters lost to a vertical alternative. It seems to me that whereas Belstaff has been repositioned as a fashion brand, Barbour has retained more of its traditional market.

 

[Hemingway Jones]

Belstaff has runway shows now, which is very surprising. They are made just outside of Venice though, which is nice. We have got to support that Venetian economy!

Although I would wear a Belstaff, though I lament the loss of the slant pocket as well; they have lost a bit of cache' to me since Hollywood types started wearing them.

I am very pleased to have the leather model, since I already have a wax cotton Bedale and Border, which I am about to sell since I no longer wear it.

 

[BellyTank]

Mr. Jones-
I notice that your example has a semi-raglan shoulder/sleeve.
My International has a regular sleeve. I haven't seen your sleeve style before
on an International... what's up with that?

It looks great and I like the black press-fasteners.

I find the logo patch rather nasty though- I removed mine.

B
T

 

[rgraham]

What color are the snaps on yours? Are they the shiny gold ones?

Yes, they are the shiny, glow in the dark shiny, gold ones. I can only hope they will tarnish over time. I guess they do come in handy when riding the motorcycle as reflectors.

 

[rgraham]

Mr. Jones-

I find the logo patch rather nasty though- I removed mine.

B
T

I agree. I'll have to look into doing that as well. Did it leave unsightly stitch holes?

 

[Hemingway Jones]

Mr. Jones-
I notice that your example has a semi-raglan shoulder/sleeve.
My International has a regular sleeve. I haven't seen your sleeve style before
on an International... what's up with that?

It looks great and I like the black press-fasteners.

I find the logo patch rather nasty though- I removed mine.

B
T

It has the exact same shoulder/ sleeve as this one, and is in fact, this one:
http://www.outdoorandcountry.co.uk/newproduct.aspx?ProductStyleID=110044&CategoryID=1662

I normally hate logos of any sort on my clothing, but this one doesn't bother me. I guess if it was good enough for Steve McQueen, then it's good enough for me. Beside, removing it will effect its water repellency, though it may just create a leaky pocket! It would be better if it were my name.

I wonder if the gold buttons will tarnish. I noticed those on the woman's model, because Daisy Buchanan wants one of those and wants the gold buttons! Personally, either or would have been fine.

 

[J. M. Stovall]

Very sharp indeed!

 

[Tomasso]

Barbour...... They are such great items and do not have that high fashion cache', which I like.They are sensible, tough garment for active people.

Sorry to burst your bubble but the poseurs latched onto Barbour years ago. Just go to a soccer/lacrosse game in Westchester County or Conneticut where every other soccer mom will be sporting Barbour.

I find the logo patch rather nasty though- I removed mine.

Same here but I didn't want to risk a lingering needle trail so I special ordered one sans patch. And I don't recall the patch being quite so obtrusive back then, in the mid 80's.