There is a ground zero for Barbour in the United States, and it is their U.S. headquarters in Milford, New Hampshire.
Every Barbour item sold in the US goes through this facility.
I was able to visit and get a tour from the facility manager Tom, an immensely pleasant man as well as a wealth of information down to the tiniest nuggets.
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| One detail: the corduroy is designed and attached so that rain is redirected away from the wearer's neck and down the front of the jacket. |
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| Spring and Summer Items Ready to Be Shipped |
The headquarters includes not only the warehouse, but the famous repair facility as well. There Kathy, who runs that department, kindly joined us. The repair department is kept busy so the wait can be up to six or eight weeks, but it is well worth it and the prices are very reasonable.
Customers can send their waxed cotton jackets (and depending on the problem, some other garments as well) back to be repaired and/or reproofed.
Repairs use new materials. But the team also tries to replace hardware with pieces from the same time period from their archives.
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| An Old Label |
Kathy told us of the kinds of items they find left in the pockets of jackets sent in for repair, including wallets and cell phones. (Those get sent back to the owners.) And occasionally they also come across things like very sharp flies (used for fishing) or live ammunition.
The facility also does reproofing.
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| The jackets are reproofed on a heated table. This allows the fibers to expand and the dirt and old wax to come out, and then are more receptive to the new wax being applied. |
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| And this is just one reason why I never do as good a job at home as Hector, here, does. And he takes 15 minutes per item, compared to my hour. |
I was also able to get a sneak peek at the offerings for the upcoming fall season.
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| The Tweed Fishing Jacket caught my eye.... |
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| ...as did some of the sweaters. |
And of course I could not resist a stop in their attached outlet store before heading out.
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37 comments:
Just curious....I've had a Bedale for years and have never had it re-waxed (it that the right term?). I was told when I purchased it at Orvis that I should ideally do this every two years. Any thoughts on frequency? Thanks.
Wow! THAT place is like "died and gone to Heaven!"
I love the Barbour jacket I have. I hate reproofing for the very reason you cited--it just never looks that good when I do it at home. It is a wonderfully useful and understated bit of outerwear.
We've had such an unseasonably warm Minnesota winter, my Beaufort has served as my winter coat all year. Looks fine over a suit (in my eye anyway) or with Filson whipcord trousers and Bean boots. Nearly indispensable.
@Anon 8:06 - It really depends on how much use your coat gets. If it sits unworn in the closet most of the year, it can go much longer without a reproofing than one that is used constantly and the elbows are worn to the cotton.
In my opinion, Orvis is the best deal for reproofing if you don't live within driving distance of the NH location. They send it in for you, have Barbour reproof it and have it sent back to the store for $29, which is a steal. Also, the repairs I've had done (my Bedale is from 1993 and my Beaufort from 1988, yet both look like new) have always come in well under the quoted amount.
I would have fallen tp the floor and frothed at the mouth in that joint....barely able to reach for my Amex card.
Ah, Heaven? I really want a Liddesale!
I agree completely with Greenfield - that first photo was just . . . Wow.
Another great tour/behind the scenes entry, Muffy.
Many thanks.
Is that an OLIVE tweed fishing jacket? If so, I know what I'll be wearing on fall weekends outings.
Thanks for the tour. I never knew they had an outlet. Would make a fun road trip ,from my home in stowe vermont. By the way muffy, could you please do a review on mens outdoor boots. Thanks RA
Honestly I think you could write a book on touring the US via the classic American clothing route! Barbour is such a great company and the one coat I have has been passed down to me from my mom, further proving their longevity!
Oh how I love Barbour! Thank you for another marvelous post! Jane Keller
Fabulous job, Miffy! I've visited Barbour in Milford many times and just take a couple of quick shots of the reproofing area and the exterior. You really got in there and showed us around! Thanks so much! Your traveling partner takes great shots!
Now, to arrange my own tour!
Miffy, Thank you for not reprinting useless clip art and taking your own pictures. It is so much more useful and encourages companies to spend money on the right things not the wrong things.
Love the tour, thanks, Muffy! The Barbour outlets are the best. I've gotten my last 2 jackets at the outlets - there is one in Kittery, too.
@Patsy - I agree the outlets can be great. While in Milford I found a Westmoreland Waistcoat, (which I just love), but I had to leave it there for a minor repair. I have had less good luck at the Kittery outlet, although I did recently get a navy hood for my Bedale.
I loved and still love barbour beaufort waxed jacket. But, it is very heavy especailly when you wear with liner.
So, recently, I stopped wearing it, but once in a while and depending on my mood, I still wear it.
I happened to read your(Muffy)height is 5.8. It's about my height. What size of Bedale do you wear, by the way? I know it's very personal question, but I alway struggle with Barbour's size, which is little bit tricky and different from US size scale. You look really good and comfortable. That's why I ask you, please.
@Anonymous 2:16 - I take a 36 in both the Bedale and the Beaufort, which could not be more perfect. They are without question the most comfortable pieces of outerwear I own. (And my favorite..)
I hope to check out this outlet soon. I never have any luck at the Kittery outlet either, though I did get an olive quilted rain hat there that I just love. I look very Jessica Fletcher in it.
Is that what Barbour Heaven looks like?
Glad you finally made it and found it well worth the trip!
This has me considering professional reproofing. I just purchased a navy Bedale to replace my old sage, and I had to double-check to make sure that it was waxed. I quickly realized that it was, but just hadn't yet been rendered gunky and uneven with years of my own creatively applied reproofing. Now I just have to figure out whether I can live Barbour-less for a couple of months...
How interesting to get to see them do the reproofing process. How heated is that table? There is probably no way to replicate it at home. Some things are best left to the experts. Thanks for sharing!
I want to know more about that tweed fishing jacket. It is beautiful. Now, how to pre-order?
Muffy,
I'm surprised you didn't mention the scents of the factory. Waxes, oils, old cotton, machine oils. That had to be unforgettable.
You should bookend this tour with a trip through the Filson factory in Seattle. Stop in the Red Wing factory in Minnesota on the way for the trifecta.
I need another Barbour waxed cotton jacket!
Jealous does not even come close to describing how that post made me feel. You are a lucky girl, Muffy!
Great posting! I forwent redressing my Barbour and sent mine to this facility at the urging of the people at Orvis. Came back looking almost new. I had no idea there was an outlet store attached as well. Thanks Muffy!
But if only some of the newer models didn't have the logo prominently placed on the front:(
I've been there! I live in the next town over, gosh I would have loved a tour like that! I never knew that store has the "headquarters" of Barbour USA. I wanted to have a jacket reproofed. Thank you!
Barbour has some great looking things but there are better sources for clothing that actually will be used in the field, e.g. Beretta, Filson,Beaver, Le Chameau
In the photo with the boots, it looks like the green pair on the left are Le Chameau's Chasseur boot. Did Barbour and Le Chameau do a collaboration?
Thanks for posting this! My Durham has sustained some pocket damage, and could use reproofing, and I had no idea where to send it.
Now, I do!
In addition to the Durham, I own a Liddesdale, Beaufort, and Milano, and cannot tell you how happy I am with the entire Barbour line!
Annual Sale Flyer arrived in the mail today. Spoke with Doris about your visit when I was there two weeks ago. I believe we live too close and have serious Barbour outlet addiction in my family.
@Hip Waldorf - It pained me so to not stop when in the area recently. While I did stop at the Kittery outlet not too long ago, I much prefer Milford. I may share your addiction.
Can you give me the date of the warehouse sale!!! We as a family also have a Barbour addiction!!!
Is there a rule of thumb so that a new owner of a Barbour will know when the jacket should be re-proofed?
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