Here at T&C, we pride ourselves on our discerning eye for quality. With Tried & True, our editors will give you an inside look at the pieces they simply cannot live without.
A few weeks into my freshman year of college, a new acquaintance showed me her vintage Barbour jacket, complete with her mother’s monogram embroidered on the lining. I thought there was nothing cooler; it was decades old, and still looked great in that worn-in but not worn-out kind of way—plus, I’ve always been a sucker for personalization.
At the time, I was fresh out of high school, where I had worn my uniform plaid skirt and a polo shirt every single day. I was only just starting to figure out my personal style (on a very limited budget at that), so I tacked the image of that waxed cotton coat on my mental mood board.
When I moved to New York City after graduation, I finally made my purchase. Influenced by both Alexa Chung, who has done several collaborations with the heritage brand and a burgeoning interest in the British royals (pretty much every royal from Princess Anne to Meghan Markle has a beloved Barbour coat), I went with a classic Beadnell style in the iconic olive shade.
Let’s be honest, I’m not an outdoorsy kind of person. While I’m sure this coat could hold up while hunting or hiking or on a rainy multi-day camping trip, I was mostly in the market for something fashionable-yet-functional that was durable enough for city living and water resistant enough to stand up to unpredictable weather. For that, it's been perfect. I sized up for easy layering, and am oh-so-fond of the cozy moleskin-lined pockets when it’s chilly out.
But the best part? The quality has lived up to my high expectations. I’ve had it for years now, and it still looks great. I haven't had to take advantage of Barbour's repair and re-waxing services, but it's nice to know they're available if needed to keep my coat looking it’s best for generations to come. Now, I just have to get the lining monogrammed.
As the digital director for Town & Country, Caroline Hallemann covers culture, entertainment, and a range of other subjects
