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| Ursa, the Maremma Sheepdog, is looking for the last sheep. |
Academic institutions aside, there is an almost migration instinct towards the goal of homecoming. So for me, any autumnal wardrobe would be incomplete without the inclusion of some classic (I dislike the word 'vintage,' while still acknowledging its linguistic acuity) jackets.
I like the shape of my made in Vermont, Johnson Woolen Mills (unfortunately named) "JacShirt" with its front and back cape.
Richard Press (former J. Press president) after lunch yesterday showed me his great Willis & Geiger jacket (and label).
I also took out a Burberrys jacket, made for the late great Chicago store (once owned by Abercrombie & Fitch, back when A&F was a force for good)...
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| It still is in need of a bit of care. |
...And this wool quilted houndstooth check John Partridge jacket
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| I would not wear this in the wood off of our property during hunting season. |
Older garments do require some extra care. One example is reproofing, which, as a once-a-year ritual, is satisfying..
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| I credit reproofing with the excellent waterproof quality of this old Barbour hat which, though frequently mocked (as in, my "nutter" hat), keeps rain and wet snow away from my face. This was useful for tracking down a lost hen and returning her to her roost. |
38 comments:
Beautiful post! I adore my hat, too! It has lasted years of all sorts of precipitation and has kept me warm & dry in several countries! We have the same autumn ritual of waxing the Barbours! It happens over the Thanksgiving weekend (last month, here in Canada!).
Do you know when Burberry dropped the terminal 's'? That would be handy consumer information that, to my knowledge, is not readily available.
@vir beātum - I believe it was 1999.
Thanks. Good to know.
I am very impressed that you re-wax your Barbour yourself...I have always been nervous. The last photograph is breathtaking...love the subtle color contrast with the soft falling snow. My mom is a huge fan of the waxed rain hats. xx
Speaking of old friends, I have a Burberry raincoat that I bought from J. Press in Cambridge many years ago. Back then, the label still included the San Francisco store. I remember when the S.F. store closed and I have fond memories of its manager, Mr. Kennedy.
@EAS - It is actually pretty easy and gives an immediate gratification. (Although I sometimes hurry through the hairdryer step.) I can picture your mother looking lovely in one of those hats!
I love my Barbour jacket but hate reproofing it and I skipped it last year. Shame on me! I won't miss it this year.
I bought the LL Bean striped turtleneck on your recommendation. I shall have to wait until it cools off a bit to wear it.
My old jackets are still going strong. The Barbour jacket has become such a Yuppie uniform in my neighborhood, I'm almost too embarrassed to wear mine (which is from my highschool years). The "barn jacket" style is timeless, and my young nephew told me recently that the corduroy cuffs are for "wiping your nose during cold".
Muffy
Is reproofing the same as waxing? As in a waxed jacket? I have a lovely Barbour jacket that I bought at a tag sale and it is in wonderful condition except for needing that protective coating reapplied. Any suggestions on what to use and how to DIY?
@Susan R - Yes. It really is simple. I bought my can of Barbour wax at the Portland store, but Orvis carries it and it is $12.00. I soften the wax by putting the can in a pot of hot, not boiling, water. Then I take a soft rag and rub in the wax over the entire jacket. (Not the corduroy, of course.) I do pay special attention to the seams, but I am not overly fussy. I figure any spots I miss I will get next year! If I feel like taking the time, I dry it with a hair-dryer, let it hang for a day or so, and then go over it once more to wipe off any excess wax. I find it oddly satisfying. It really does extend the useful life of a garment.
Very nice post. I appreciate the humor in it. But... grrrr... every time I see that Ragg wool sweater, I get more frustrated! WHY can't L.L. Bean offer the crewneck this year?
Muffy, do you know everybody in the world? (Darien Sports Shop owners, J. Press owners, etc. etc). It never ends! :)
Yankee-Whisky-Papa, the yuppies don't know it's got to be a TOTALLY HAMMERED Barbour, showing evidence of having been worn for at least a decade in and out of authentic Primordial Ooze! Hay sprouting in the pockets a bonus.
Is Mr. Press in Nantucket reds? Outstanding. Was the snow from this year? We are still waiting on our first snow here in SE Minn.
@Zenas313 - Here is a picture of his belt as well, and yes, the snow was from a little over a week ago.
My Barbour hat is one of my favorite things too because I dislike carrying an umbrella - especially while walking the dog.
Thanks for the post. I wondered how difficult it would be to wax our jackets, but have added that to our list of Thanksgiving weekend chores.
Do you use one can of wax per jacket?
@Billsburg - I actually did both my husband's and mine using only one can with a bit left over for my hat.
The Burberry jackets are definitely classics! That Barbour hat looks really great, too.
I used to re-proof my Barbours the same way. And use the dressing as hair gel. Classic.
The photo of you with the hen is breathtaking. I keep going back to it just to enjoy its artistic beauty.
Bitsy
Thanks for the reminder to reproof. I'm really overdue on a few items and it is honestly something I've been putting off for far too long. I've never actually done it myself so you give me courage. Odd question but I wore my Barbours around horses a lot and a lighter colored one has some horrible marks from their noses (checking for treats) on the pockets. Do you clean yours before you do the at home reproofing? If so what do you do to clean them?
Also, I had to laugh at "back when A&F was a force for good" because that is what my husband says each time he pulls out one of their old sweaters.
On 2 of the pictures you carry a walking stick... is this an original Irish Shillelagh made from Irish Blackthorn?
All the best from Ireland
Alexander
I like Barbour stuff and even managed to get to one of their shops in London last August, though I only purchased a vest/waistcoat. However, I'm especially partial to Filson (which at least has the zippers on the right side). Their lightest weight "oil finish" garments are plenty heavy for winter. I'm charmed that you do rewaxing yourself; good tips, too. My oil finish field jacket has taken on a shine in the back but the rest is in good shape.
I'm also glad you mention Johnson's Woolen Mills but there's also Bemidji Woolen Mills for you midwesterners but I'm afraid that all Woolrich produces (almost, anyway) are imported.
Muffy,
Always in true form! Love the JacShirt haven't seen one in sometime! The tweed John Patridge quilted jacket is fabulous! nice black thorn walking! And your waxed Gillie cap looks great with the Irish fisherman sweater!
Here's a great reference video on re waxing a Barbour jacket!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvZm04LxrbQ
Great post, I also appreciate the" classic" outerwear,
although it is hard to find here in the south. Thanks for the tips on waxing, I will find it less intimidating to do it myself. I look forward to my trip out east and hope to pick up some good pieces of classic clothing. I hope to get a nutter hat!
You are the cutest thing ever. I enjoy your blog very much, and I adore those coats.
That is like 4 great blog posts in one. Thanks for the great photos and food for thought.
I have been debating whether to tackle reproofing myself, and your nonchalant mastery (no gloves, smock, or drop cloth) of this task has inspired (shamed?) me into trying :)
Thanks for letting us come along on your adventures.
That last photo of you IS very striking. And you wear the hat well.
I must admit I take my Barbour over to Orvis every year to have the re-proofing done.
@Zenas313 - Specifically, he is wearing his "F. Scott Fitzgerald orange" pants.
@Ann - I just follow their instructions and clean with a damp sponge.
@Alexander - It is indeed! I use it every day when I walk. Ireland - I am more than a little jealous!
Duly noted. I will not question Mr. Press (or Mrs. A) on such sartorial matters . . . must be my monitor!
On a wholly separate topic, you have told us a little about your taste for British television and about some of your favorite books, but how about music? Beyond the Prelude to Bach's Cello Suite 1 in G, is there an artist, genre, etc. that is, IYO, quintessentially preppy? What does TDP's playlist look like?
Muffy-These pictures have an unbelievable quality to them. The two with you and your golden lab look as if they were taken straight from a Barbour advertisement.
Hi Muffy, There is one true prep source I haven't seen on your blog: F.L. Woods, Ltd., of Marblehead. http://www.flwoods.com/ It's glorious!
i love that last picture with the hen :)
Hi Muffy: This is a great site and I only just found it today. So many things to comment on, but I'll keep with just Barbour. I own one of their waxed coats for nearly 15 years and it's terrific. Rewaxing takes time and seems a bit archaic, but that coat just wears and wears. I also own a pair of their wellies and think that they're better than the Hunters which are all the rage.
Interestingly, sporting goods supplier, Von Lengerrke and Antoine had an association with Chicago's mafia [indirectly] supplying machine guns connected with several well-known murders in the 30s.
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