AQG has nailed something here which is the baggage attached to Barbour varies considerably depending on what circles one runs in.
I can understand some vitriol over city-types doing the T&C thing or over-priced Japanese editions that add nothing but price. Even this is divided too, however.
However, aren't we throwing out the baby with the bath-water? They're still nice jackets. I love mine (my feelings are perhaps directly proportionate to the fact I can keep whatever magazine or book I'm reading in that back-pocket). I agree that the standard "heavy duty" arguments ring false too for those of us who live in the city, but they're still nice. I just can't see me reacting so much to what j'offs in the blogosphere are doing that I would stop wearing a jacket that I liked when I got it and still like now.
Last edited by Decline & Fall (2009-01-23 13:08:10)
I do not like the waxed material either - unless you really have to have it. So a tweed shooting jacket which is similar type of garment with country associations would be fine. The grungy English/Harrods green does not appeal either.
Associations do bother me. School years wasted watching 'The Horse of The Year Show' on the telly do not help.
Brands are slightly different. I would not buy a visible label but I may have an irational attachment to certain brands for various reasons.
Last edited by Kingstonian (2009-01-23 13:02:48)
Out here in the provinces we are more likely to see an oilskin than a Barbour: http://www.oilskin.com/coat.html
I saw some the new stock of Barbour Beauforts in my local department store yesterday. The waxed cotton seemed thinner and the stitching, especially on the sleeves, looked poor. Is Barbour outsourcing production of the waxed cotton range too?