Discussion
If your set on a Belstaff then buy it, if you end up with a Barbour or something else you will probably see someone wearing a Belstaff and wish you had bought it.
I've got quite a few collected from over the years including a Roadmaster from the early 2000's and they are still in good nick if you look after them and get them cleaned and re-waxed every so often.
However I wear mine purely in a fashion sense and not for their intended purpose so there may be some better recommendations from others.
I've got quite a few collected from over the years including a Roadmaster from the early 2000's and they are still in good nick if you look after them and get them cleaned and re-waxed every so often.
However I wear mine purely in a fashion sense and not for their intended purpose so there may be some better recommendations from others.
Had a proper Belstaff 30 years ago for motorcycling. It did not cost more than £100. Now they are just a fashion item and not worth £500 imo. I do have a similar styled black Barbour International which at £250 I thought was expensive enough. I don't see the Belstaff being twice the jacket for twice the price.
Years ago I had a Barbour, bought for when fishing. Bought for functionality not fashion and it proved a decent, tough and good jacket. Pockets meant easier storage of kit with a good “poacher’s pocket”. Worked well with thigh waders but too long for chest waders. It was tough and resisted damage from thorny branches. It needed layers for insulation in cold weather though. Cleaned and rewaxed annually. I moved on to the modern, breathable fabrics, Goretex etc
Back then Barbour did a refurb/repair/rewax service too.
Back then Barbour did a refurb/repair/rewax service too.
For the love of god dont buy a new one, they are terrible.
I have a 1970s original that I had professionally restored a few years ago. A good friend spent £600 on a new one. His is literally half the weight of mine and as well as being weirdly shiny it feels awfully flimsy. It's nothing more than a fashion item now - the same goes for all of Barbour's range too.
I would highly recommend, if you have the patience, looking online or at autojumbles to buy a bargain original, then having it re-done. I used these people and it cost me I think about £100 (this was back in 2014 though): https://www.waxjacketscleaned.co.uk/
I think you'll agree the results speak for themselves:
before, after being in damp mouldy storage since 1977 and full of the horrible old oil-based wax:
after, sparkling clean and reproofed with modern non-staining wax:
I have a 1970s original that I had professionally restored a few years ago. A good friend spent £600 on a new one. His is literally half the weight of mine and as well as being weirdly shiny it feels awfully flimsy. It's nothing more than a fashion item now - the same goes for all of Barbour's range too.
I would highly recommend, if you have the patience, looking online or at autojumbles to buy a bargain original, then having it re-done. I used these people and it cost me I think about £100 (this was back in 2014 though): https://www.waxjacketscleaned.co.uk/
I think you'll agree the results speak for themselves:
before, after being in damp mouldy storage since 1977 and full of the horrible old oil-based wax:
after, sparkling clean and reproofed with modern non-staining wax:
Just to further my point above, there's a few originals on ebay now for a decent price:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_t...
coincidentally the best condition one also appears to be the cheapest (a few of the others on sale have tatty bits):
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265538539560?hash=item3...
with one at this price plus restoration cost you'll still be quids in, as well as warmer and more waterproof!
When I wear mine, I often get people complimenting it and asking me how I've managed to get such a great patina look to it..... their faces always fall when I tell them its 50 years old and good luck trying to replicate it with a new one!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_t...
coincidentally the best condition one also appears to be the cheapest (a few of the others on sale have tatty bits):
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265538539560?hash=item3...
with one at this price plus restoration cost you'll still be quids in, as well as warmer and more waterproof!
When I wear mine, I often get people complimenting it and asking me how I've managed to get such a great patina look to it..... their faces always fall when I tell them its 50 years old and good luck trying to replicate it with a new one!
My wife bought me one of these about 6 months ago:
https://www.cho.co.uk/mens-c27/coats-jackets-c567/...
Love it. It's the perfect weight for me; not too warm, not too cold, waterproof, has a hood tucked away in the collar (that's never actually been out), plenty of pockets, looks good, comfortable.
Sounds like you want something a bit 'fancier' OP, but you can't go wrong with one of these IMO. It's a nice cut, looks a bit less 'old man' than some other options.
https://www.cho.co.uk/mens-c27/coats-jackets-c567/...
Love it. It's the perfect weight for me; not too warm, not too cold, waterproof, has a hood tucked away in the collar (that's never actually been out), plenty of pockets, looks good, comfortable.
Sounds like you want something a bit 'fancier' OP, but you can't go wrong with one of these IMO. It's a nice cut, looks a bit less 'old man' than some other options.
I have a Barbour jacket, paid about £300 a few years ago and love it. Has a detachable hood and been perfect for keeping out the rain and hacking through the woods with the dogs. Being waxed it takes some abuse and worn nicely.
It does need a re wax so will send it off to Barbour in the summer, plus it needs some re stitching on a pocket.
Downside it’s not the warmest in the cold of winter, but I stick a thin gilet underneath and not been an issue. The OH takes the piss and says I look like a farmer but who cares.
It does need a re wax so will send it off to Barbour in the summer, plus it needs some re stitching on a pocket.
Downside it’s not the warmest in the cold of winter, but I stick a thin gilet underneath and not been an issue. The OH takes the piss and says I look like a farmer but who cares.
My old man had a Barbour for years, had it repaired, felt like it was made of sailcloth, properly hard wearing. I bought a new one a few years back and it's been honestly quite disappointing. Much lighter, needed reproofing every year, the pocket linings tore. And really it's only had casual use, I've not been wading through thorn bushes in it. A shame, but they don't seem to be the hard wearing coat for life that they used to be.
Good thread here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
As a big Barbour fan, with a couple of 30+ year old ones I’d avoid the International range and stick with classic/traditional.
Recently found an original Cowan Commando from 2001 (most older ones are dated) in mint condition (although a little dried out) fairly local for just £180. Sent off for a factory clean and re-wax for £50, am absolutely made up with it
As a big Barbour fan, with a couple of 30+ year old ones I’d avoid the International range and stick with classic/traditional.
Recently found an original Cowan Commando from 2001 (most older ones are dated) in mint condition (although a little dried out) fairly local for just £180. Sent off for a factory clean and re-wax for £50, am absolutely made up with it
I've got a £25 knock-off Barbour wax coat which I purchased from Amazon a couple of years ago. I've had a real Barbour before. I'm not sure I can tell much difference, certainly not a couple of hundred quid difference. As for coats costing £500, I don't think I'd ever go through 20 of these 25 quid jobs in my remaining lifetime. The one I have is well made, warm, waterproof, and not showing any signs of wear or deterioration after a couple of years of use walking the dog through the woods. I estimate a 10 year life span for it, at least.
Big brands are usually a total rip off. I try not to care that someone else may look down upon me if my coat doesn't have the right badge on it. It is quite liberating.
Big brands are usually a total rip off. I try not to care that someone else may look down upon me if my coat doesn't have the right badge on it. It is quite liberating.
I have three Barbours, for different tasks.
Stiff as a board and cold in the Winter, hot and sweaty in the Summer.
I have lined and unlined,they 'look' great, but
a bit like Hunter Wellingtons.
More of a Fashion statement nowadays.
I've had Barbours for fifty years, but times really have moved on.
There are a lot better Jackets/Coats out there.
Stiff as a board and cold in the Winter, hot and sweaty in the Summer.
I have lined and unlined,they 'look' great, but
a bit like Hunter Wellingtons.
More of a Fashion statement nowadays.
I've had Barbours for fifty years, but times really have moved on.
There are a lot better Jackets/Coats out there.
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