Barbour Border Wax Jacket: Everything You Need to Know
At Michael Stewart Menswear, we know the importance of a jacket that can withstand the elements while looking effortlessly stylish. Today, we're diving into the details of a true classic: the Barbour Border Wax Jacket.
Named for the border between Scotland and England that founder John Barbour crossed in the 19th century, this jacket is a longer-length icon designed for the taller gentleman or for wearing over a suit. From its signature waxed cotton to the generous fit and a host of functional details like detachable poacher's pockets and a classic corduroy collar, the Border is built for both the countryside and the city commute.
Join Sam as he explores why this jacket remains a customer favourite and a cornerstone of any man's wardrobe. He'll be giving his honest thoughts on its design, durability, and versatility, helping you decide if the Barbour Border is the right investment piece for you.
Video Transcript:
Hi guys, it’s Sam here from Michael Stewart Menswear, and welcome back to another instalment of Barbour Icons. This is the series where we take a deep dive into Barbour's most iconic, timeless, and classic jackets and outerwear. Today, we are taking a look at one of the OGs of the Barbour Jackets, and that is the Border. It sits really nicely alongside the Bedale and the Beaufort, it was designed in the 80's, it's really, really functional, I mean it's definitely 'farmer first' in terms of its audience, but it's a great one to wear and you can see it being worn worldwide by gents of all sorts of different tastes and preference in style. So, we'll take a look at the fit, the features, a little bit of detail, and I'll tell you why you need the Barbour Border in your wardrobe.
Features of the Barbour Border Wax Jacket
The Border is among Barbour’s best-selling jackets, alongside the Beaufort and Bedale, because it captures what a Barbour jacket should be: a brown corduroy collar, 6oz waxed cotton, and multiple functional pockets. You get the classic collar with throat latch, a sturdy 2-way brass zip, two large bellow pockets at the bottom, and two comfortable, moleskin-lined hand warmers to keep your hands dry and warm.
On the inside, the practicality doesn't stop either; we have a very subtle little zip pocket on the inside to the zip there and the placket. Very discreet, a great way to keep something nice and safe and on the inside, and this is where farmer practicality comes in, two poacher's pockets which just sit within the lining, and these actually have a detachable lining themselves so they can come out, they can be washed, put back in, nice and practical, easy to use.
How Practical is the Border Jacket?
Now the practicality doesn't stop there, as with their sort of core range of jackets, this can be completely interacted with, with the hood and the zip-in liners, so we do a range of them, you've got the polar quilt or the warm pile, which we have mentioned in previous videos, and we will link to as well. So they zip in nicely, add a little bit of extra warmth, even more pocket space as well, which is just great for making this jacket an all rounder. Lining out when it's spring or summer, lining in when it gets to autumn or winter, and you need a little bit of extra warmth. Press-studs along the back of the collar, that are a hood that attaches and gives you a bit more weatherproof, nice little bit of hood to keep you dry there, just really expanding all the possibilities and all the practicalities of this amazing jacket.
How Does the Barbour Border Jacket Fit?
So, when it comes to fit, how does the Border size up? Well, it is just like the Bedale or the Beaufort, really, it's casual, it's relaxed, it's very much true to size. I'm a 38 chest and I'm wearing a 38 now, there's definitely plenty of room under here, I am just wearing a t-shirt but if I wanted to layer a sweater, a shirt or even have one of these liners in as well, it's definitely got plenty of room for manoeuvrability but it doesn't look too bad just over a t-shirt as well, give it a nice sense of practicality.
Now the Border is a longer jacket, which does make it ideal for someone who is potentially a lot taller, a lot taller than I am anyway, I'm just under 6 ft by the way. But if you're a tall guy or you've got really long arms, this does have lengthened sleeves, it does have a longer body, which makes it really, really great if you are 'head in the clouds'. Now the reason for the length isn't just for the tall guys, it also goes with practicality; this is designed with farmers and all-weather protection. It's longer so it actually reaches where your wellies would come to, so you've got full body protection, if you're out in the field doing a hard day's graft.
How to Style the Border
So, when it comes to styling it you've got plenty of options. Again, I think Barbour jackets like this can really appeal to anyone's fashion taste; it all depends on how you wear it and what you wear it with. Some people might look at it and just go, It's very country, it's very farm style, but I think it is much more than that. I've seen plenty of people in the city wear it as an overcoat, instead of getting like a mac, like a classic over-the-suit mac, you can go for something like this, it's giving you extra weather protection, it's giving you timeless, timeless style, and being waxed cotton it's a jacket that will last you for life as well. So you could happily wear this over a suit for your overcoat or you could definitely wear it a little bit more oversized as a bit more of a streetwear piece, I've seen people wear it across the board and I know these are massive in Japan as well they absolutely love the Border and that really big baggy oversize style and they're definitely wearing it with more of a sort of military inspired vibe as well. So you can really go any which way with this jacket, it's not just for farmers, it is absolutely a core piece of the Barbour collection that does suit everybody.
Things to Take Away
So there we have it, an endlessly practical jacket from Barbour, they've done it once again. There's a reason this has been in the collection since the 80s and that is because it is just foolproof, it's hardy, it's easy to wear and easy to style and that is really what you want to be going for as a 'go to' winter jacket or even an all round jacket, it really is appropriate for all year wear and we can't get enough of the Border. If you're ready to add this timeless staple to your wardrobe, visit our website or come see us in-store to explore our full Barbour range. Don’t miss out—discover the Border today. Catch you on the next one.
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