BARBOUR WAY OF LIFE: JACKET STORIES

Here at Barbour, we’ve always been committed to longevity with our classic wax jacket. Last year, we celebrated 100-years of the Repair & Rewaxing service which has helped customers extend the life of their beloved jackets for over a century.

The Barbour wax jacket holds different meanings for different people. For some, it is a one-of-a-kind hand-me-down and for others a rainy festival friend, but whatever your Barbour means to you, it’s how you wear it that makes it your own.

To celebrate the versatility of the Barbour wax jacket, we are celebrating four people who, although they come from different parts of Britain, all have one shared love of the outdoors and living the Barbour Way of Life.

With a focus on their very own Barbour wax jackets, we spoke to Danny Clarke, Victoria Perry, Angellica Bell and Jess & Charlie from The Travel Project about how their jacket fits into their everyday life and what it means to them.

Join us and discover more here.

Danny Clarke, TV Presenter and Garden Designer

If your Barbour jacket could talk, what stories would it tell?​

If my Barbour jacket could talk it would keep reminding me of the time while working in a client's garden a robin landed on my shoulder not once but twice as if it was signaling, I was very welcome on his territory.

The Barbour Way of Life is all about indulging family and friends, relaxing and spending time outdoors. In what ways do you enjoy living the Barbour Way of Life?

My lifestyle perfectly fits the Barbour way of life as I am constantly exploring the great outdoors. I could be wearing my jacket while walking in one of the many parks that London has to offer, visiting a well-known garden that's open to the public, a walk along a beach, or even popping out with friends for a meal. In my opinion, because of its classical timeless styling the item can be worn on different occasions.

This year, have you got anything coming up that you’ll be wearing your Barbour next?

I look forward to another busy year and shall definitely be wearing my Barbour jacket when the conditions demand it.

Victoria Perry, Designer/Maker

If your Barbour jacket could talk, what stories would it tell?​

The Barbour and Vogue competition was about redesigning a pre-loved jacket, so I’m sure if my jacket could talk it would have some stories to tell. I like to think these would be full of wild adventures, with laughter, and beautiful views and pockets full of gathered treasures (and perhaps cake!). Of course, these stories are kept secret in the folds of fabric and now I get to live the new ones.

I love that we’ve given this jacket a whole second life and a look that no Barbour jacket has had before, it’s a reinvention and I’m excited to write the next chapter, of wild adventures, gathered treasures, and maybe a little cake.

What would we typically find in the pockets of your Barbour jacket?​

I just can’t help myself when it comes to collecting things in the pockets of my Barbour jacket. In summer you’ll likely find some pebbles or sea glass from a visit to the beach, along with my Lido membership card and a spare £1 for the lockers at the pool. In fall it’ll be pretty coloured leaves and a jar or tub for collecting blackberries to make jam. In winter probably tissue fluff (I can’t be alone in that) and some gloves that I never remember to put on, and in spring it’ll be some blossom pressed between the pages of my notebook. There’s always a notebook, usually at least one scrap of fabric or yarn and probably a toy car from spending time with my nephews. Lastly, you’ll find a Fry’s Turkish Delight (or probably just the wrapper!) and a facemask and sanitiser, because well it’s 2022 after all.

The Barbour Way of Life is all about indulging family and friends, relaxing and spending time outdoors. In what ways do you enjoy living the Barbour Way of Life?​

The Barbour way of life seems like a pretty good manifesto to me. I used to live overseas so spending time with family is one of my favourite things. My little nephews are hilarious, as are my parent’s dogs, and both definitely require time spent outdoors. I live in the city so spending time with my partner and friends in the park and the Lido keeps me grounded and smiling. I never thought I’d enjoy swimming in unheated water, but I love it. You can swim looking at the trees and the sky and see the sun making rainbows on the water. I haven’t made it through a winter yet, but I’m in awe of the people who do, and I know my jacket is going to come in so handy for those unexpected showers and for warming me up on a grey day. My Barbour will also definitely get used when we visit friends and family who live out in the countryside (a Barbour jacket’s natural habitat) & we might also catch some motor racing while we’re there.

​Jess & Charlie, The Travel Project - Adventure Photographers

If your Barbour jacket could talk, what stories would it tell?

If our jackets could talk it would be hard to shut them up (just like their owners!), I like to think they’d tell stories of adventure and discovery, of outdoor escapades and a life where no two days are the same. Equally if they could talk, I’d be intrigued to know what their favourite adventure so far has been... my money is on an autumnal adventure to the Scottish Highlands, that’s where they really looked at home!

What would we typically find in the pockets of your Barbour jacket?

As we like to keep navigation old school, you will often find a hurriedly folded map in our Barbour pockets. Alongside it will often sit a glove or two, perhaps a hip flask in the colder months and invariably the camera lens cap we’ve been searching high and low for all day!

The Barbour Way of Life is all about indulging family and friends, relaxing and spending time outdoors. In what ways do you enjoy living the Barbour Way of Life?

We try to spend as much of our life outdoors as possible. To put it quite simply; nothing makes us feel more alive than getting out and exploring, and so to be able to enjoy this way of life together and with mates is a massive privilege. It’s very hard to beat the buzz of a shared adventure!​

Angellica Bell, TV and Radio Presenter

If your Barbour jacket could talk, what stories would it tell?

If my Barbour jacket could talk, and I do think it would be chatty like me, it would probably thank me for being adventurous, resilient and for taking a risk! I like to push myself so often I find myself walking further or climbing higher than I expected when I head out, only for me to realise I must get back to a starting point! Maybe it would tell me off for getting it muddy or not hanging it up sometimes. But ultimately, it would be chuffed to bits for me always remembering to chuck it in the back of the car before heading off on another staycation – no one likes to be left out!

What would we typically find in the pockets of your Barbour jacket?

I like to lead an active life. I just like to keep busy and rarely sit down to take a breath. I guess I’m used to juggling different aspects of my life, but I also believe it’s so important spending time outdoors, taking time out and the best thing about my Barbour is that it encapsulates that lifestyle for me. I also like to be free and not carry too much when I’m strolling or on a trek, so the deep pockets are a design highlight! I can just pick it up and stuff it full in all the nooks and crannies with the stuff I need. Whether it’s wipes, sweets, chocolate, my lip balm (essential), the obligatory phone, oh and my wallet! Seriously, I could even fit in the kitchen sink in!

The Barbour Way of Life is all about indulging family and friends, relaxing and spending time outdoors. In what ways do you enjoy living the Barbour Way of Life?

My Barbour and I have been everywhere and that’s what I love, you can go on adventures, and it fits into whatever I’m doing. My wax jacket has been on many trips with my family and I across the UK, but a special place that feels so true to the Barbour Way of Life is Richmond Park. It’s open, full of woodland and there’s wonderful nature and the deer are beautiful. It’s such a calm place, a great place to unwind, think, walk, whether you’re alone, with family or meeting friends. You don’t feel like you’re in the capital city, more like the countryside where you can escape. I will always have fond memories of that park forever.

Stay tuned to the Barbour blog, for more Barbour Way of Life stories, or begin your journey with one of our classic waxed jackets.