Anyone who knows me understands that I am very particular when it comes to my money. I save and save until I am able to get exactly what I want-no exceptions or compromises. One of those pieces that I fixated on and knew that I needed in my life and wardrobe was a Barbour Beadnell jacket. 3,000 pins on Pinterest later and countless hours blog oggling-I finally saved enough money and I am pleased to say that this beautiful baby has found her way into my wardrobe.
I went back and forth forever on both the color and the sizing. I couldn't make up my mind on the Classic Olive or the Navy. In the end I had to go with my tried and true navy-and I am very glad that I did! It is a true navy in that it appears almost black in artificial light and blue in the daylight. The contrast with the dark color and the tartan is even better than I imagined.
I went back and forth forever on both the color and the sizing. I couldn't make up my mind on the Classic Olive or the Navy. In the end I had to go with my tried and true navy-and I am very glad that I did! It is a true navy in that it appears almost black in artificial light and blue in the daylight. The contrast with the dark color and the tartan is even better than I imagined.
Now the sizing-which I know any petite person like me is curious about. I am 5'4 and 110 lbs and I guess I have small bone structure because most things in this world run way too large on me. When I saw that the smallest size the jacket came in was a US 2 and a UK 6 I was heartbroken, knowing that I have never been a 2 in anything. I was already intimidated by the masculinity and didn't want to look like a girl playing dress up in her Dads closet. But, I couldn't resist. I took a chance after reading that the jacket is fitted and tends to run on the smaller side. The fit is absolute perfection. It does everything that was promised and then some. It goes in at the waist and isn't too tight or too loose at all. If you are on the smaller side and debating if a Barbour is worth the investment for you, I wouldn't hesitate to say that it absolutely is!
There is just so much about a Barbour that you can't buy. This is a piece with quality, integrity and history. Just reach in the pockets. Feel those reinforced eyelet holes. They came about because King George would get his coat serviced at the Barbour factory (you NEVER replace your Barbour) and they noticed holes in the pocket each and every time-and each time they repaired them. As it turned out the King was intentionally cutting holes in his pocket for drainage purposes when hunting. Now every Barbour coat has the reinforced holes in the pocket. I absolutely cannot get enough of stories like that!
Want more Barbour history and insight? Check out these posts by The College Prepster! This one is a tour of their factory, and this one is all about the custom Tartan lining and how it was created. When I finally hop the pond I would absolutely love to see the facilities for myself.
