Barbour Beaufort didn't make it to the quarter century.
Discussion
I was very pleased with myself in 1992 when I got my new Barbour Beaufort.
It went on to be a constant companion shielding me from wind in the Falklands to snow in the arctic circle. It was with me making me look trendy in Milan when wax was in fashion. It's been a pillow for my head on the steel decks of ships and a groundsheet while sitting watching turtles on an Eastern Med beach. It's been wrapped round a beloved old dog on his last trip to the vets and carried a few new puppies home for the first time. I've hob nobbed with minor royals in it, met a couple of Prime Ministers in it. It's lining shows evidence of an altercation I once had with a peat filled stream. It's been on countless nights out and had everything from kebab to Krug spilt on it. It has been gallantly draped across the shoulders of a young lady in a rainstorm and its big pockets have carried everything from apples to nuts and bolts.
It's been back to Barbour for refurbishing a couple of times and been re-waxed by me over the years.
For the last couple of years, looking raggy and letting a bit of water in round the shoulders I've said "one more summer"
Today I gave in. I now have a brand new Beaufort.
It is very smart, and very new looking. It'll take a year or two of use to get it looking right. Maybe I should lend it to a sheep farmer for a few months to get him to break it in!
My original Barbour. It has rips in the arms - quite a few. It still looks good in a slightly whiffy old game keepe sort of way. I think I'll chuck it in the MG for a bit of light rain protection in the summer. Maybe it will make its quarter century after all.
So what's the oldest bit of clothing you have in regular use? I'm guessing 20 odd years is nothing for a Barbour?
It went on to be a constant companion shielding me from wind in the Falklands to snow in the arctic circle. It was with me making me look trendy in Milan when wax was in fashion. It's been a pillow for my head on the steel decks of ships and a groundsheet while sitting watching turtles on an Eastern Med beach. It's been wrapped round a beloved old dog on his last trip to the vets and carried a few new puppies home for the first time. I've hob nobbed with minor royals in it, met a couple of Prime Ministers in it. It's lining shows evidence of an altercation I once had with a peat filled stream. It's been on countless nights out and had everything from kebab to Krug spilt on it. It has been gallantly draped across the shoulders of a young lady in a rainstorm and its big pockets have carried everything from apples to nuts and bolts.
It's been back to Barbour for refurbishing a couple of times and been re-waxed by me over the years.
For the last couple of years, looking raggy and letting a bit of water in round the shoulders I've said "one more summer"
Today I gave in. I now have a brand new Beaufort.
It is very smart, and very new looking. It'll take a year or two of use to get it looking right. Maybe I should lend it to a sheep farmer for a few months to get him to break it in!
My original Barbour. It has rips in the arms - quite a few. It still looks good in a slightly whiffy old game keepe sort of way. I think I'll chuck it in the MG for a bit of light rain protection in the summer. Maybe it will make its quarter century after all.
So what's the oldest bit of clothing you have in regular use? I'm guessing 20 odd years is nothing for a Barbour?
Edited by wildcat45 on Saturday 2nd January 18:34
My oldest Beaufort is from 1987, it got consigned to gardening about 8 years ago, still ok but looks a bit to tatty to be seen out even at the farm supplies shop. I think it will live forever. I replaced with one off eBay as I hate seeing new barbours
Mike
Ps liked the blade runner reference.
Mike
Ps liked the blade runner reference.
My oldest items of clothing that are in constant use are two Burberry's scarves from the early 90s. Both 100% cashmere and bought for me by my sister from the factory shop (when it was a proper factory shop) in Hackney for silly cheap prices. This is when the brand was known as Burberry's, not Burberry. My sister was a sales assistant at the Regent St store for quite a few years. Things were built to last in those days.
MDMA . said:
1990 Berghaus Alpine Extreme. Bought new and still looks new.
D
My old man has an old berghaus rucksack that needed repairing, they offered to give him any new rucksack of his choice if they could keep his for their museum / factory collection.
There's a bit of hope for you yet....
I keep finding shoes & clothing that I haven't seen for years, my 15yr old daughter tells me some of it has come back around & it's ok for me to wear it!
Have a Gul wetsuit that must be nearly 20yrs old, as above I also look like a bloated prat in it
Still using a 25yr old pair of RN Arctic socks with my wellies.
Have a Gul wetsuit that must be nearly 20yrs old, as above I also look like a bloated prat in it
Still using a 25yr old pair of RN Arctic socks with my wellies. Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff