The story of the Barbour Jacket dates back to 1894 when John Barbour, of Galloway, Scotland started J. Barbour and Sons Ltd., a company importing oil cloth, in South Shields, England. Five generations later, the family still owns the business, sourcing products from around the world, but also manufacturing their classic wax jackets by hand in Simonside, South Shields.
Why choose a Barbour Jacket?
With its variety of styles and linings, it’s a great option for winter weather; most are made with a box-quilted lightweight outer shell with a warm down filling. Plus, when rainy or wet weather hits, their waterproof jackets offer much needed protection.
Storing Your Barbour Jacket
Now that it’s time to put away our Barbour Jackets until fall, providing the proper care before storage will help maintain your jacket’s unique appearance and extend its longevity. Failing to do so will leave them susceptible to mold or mildew, stains that can permanently set, and moths or other critters that like to munch on the dirt on your clothes while they are in storage.
Cleaning Your Barbour Jacket
Like many specialty garments, Barbour Jackets require a specific type of care. If you get something on it at home, only use cold water and a sponge to wipe down the outside of the jacket, and never use hot water or soap of any kind. But for a thorough cleaning before storage, Shores recommends using a professional with experience in handling oil cloth garments; placing the jacket in the washing machine or deviating from the manufacturer’s care instructions will remove the wax coating permanently – to where the jacket can’t be re-waxed.
That’s where Shores comes in. Simply drop off your Barbour Jacket at any one of our three convenient locations, and we will take care of the rest, including repairs and reproofing. It takes approximately 2-3 weeks to complete the process, but with warmer weather, now’s a great time to do it so your Barbour Jacket will ready when chilly weather hits again.