Quality of Barbour garments?

Currently reading:
Quality of Barbour garments?

Joined
Jul 1, 2014
Messages
3,578
Points
976
Location
United Kingdom
I was looking for a coat that'll last as long as possible. One brand that came up a lot from mostly older people was Barbour. I'm not into fashion but I'll happily pay for good quality.

I can never see how designer or big name brands are worth the money, unless it's for superficial values.

The stitching, materials and craftsmanship seems to be quite good from what I can tell.

I've looked at some in shops but the staff literally look at me as if I don't have the money to even breath on them lol

Is Barbour worth it from any of your experiences?


..We all drive FIAT's here so I assume we're all frugal and discerning with spending our money and spending it on 'good' things when needed, not just for the big names unjustified.
 
It depends what you want it for. If you spend a lot of time in the rain a Barbour will do fine, if you don't mind looking a bit like a townie who's trying too hard of course.

I got a padded coat years ago from Primark and that's still as good as new, I've got a couple of other outdoor waterproofs as well, decent quality and I don't ever expect them to wear out.

Like you I don't want to spend a lot on cars, but I am spending a lot now on reupholstering furniture, I mean, a lot! Nobody but my friends will see it, but I will, every day, and to me this matters as I love gorgeous fabrics and a comfortable home. But since the furniture in question was last reupholstered in 1960 I think this is an economy. I've heard of people who buy new sofas every few years and think that's normal.

Do what you think is best for you.
 
It depends what you want it for. If you spend a lot of time in the rain a Barbour will do fine, if you don't mind looking a bit like a townie who's trying too hard of course.



I got a padded coat years ago from Primark and that's still as good as new, I've got a couple of other outdoor waterproofs as well, decent quality and I don't ever expect them to wear out.



Like you I don't want to spend a lot on cars, but I am spending a lot now on reupholstering furniture, I mean, a lot! Nobody but my friends will see it, but I will, every day, and to me this matters as I love gorgeous fabrics and a comfortable home. But since the furniture in question was last reupholstered in 1960 I think this is an economy. I've heard of people who buy new sofas every few years and think that's normal.



Do what you think is best for you.



To be honest I like the idea of buying 'a coat for life' more than I do any sort of brand name or look of the thing. TBH the looks aren't modern or clean enough for what I'd choose personally but the quality seems to be respected.

At the same time, cheap Primark level coats and stuff I've had sitting about for a few years and whilst nothing is outstanding about it, it holds up Very well for the price. Not as flawless as a Barbour, but the bang for buck might just be on par lol
 
I read an article recently about the virtues of buying quality clothing, and as a result have been aiming to buy more more quality items.

The main points in the article where that the likes of primark and other cheap brand clothes are usually made in massive Chinese factories making the most of cheap labour and exploiting poverty for profit.

Mean while if you buy a quality brand, then very often you can get garments made in Europe where people are paid a fair wage for a days work.

Better made clothes not only last longer then tend to not go out of fashion and are essentially timeless, that way a quality coat can be worn for years and no one will think you've been left behind.
On the other hand the likes of primark, make mostly fashion clothing that will only be good enough for a year or so and then will look very dated, it also won't ware well and will need replacing.

This means your £200 coat that lasts 20+ years worked out much better value than a £30-50 coat that need replacing every year or two.

And as the saying goes, the clothes maketh the man.

Buy smart though, look around for the bargains, I use a lot of outlets for clothes shopping, come Christmas/January sales time you can buy £100 shirts for £30, £120 jeans for £20 and last year I got a Calvin Klein Jacket for £50 reduced from £255.
 
Last edited:
I read an article recently about the virtues of buying quality clothing, and as a result have been aiming to buy more more quality items.

The main points in the article where that the likes of primark and other cheap brand clothes are usually made in massive Chinese factories making the most of cheap labour and exploiting poverty for profit.

Mean while if you buy a quality brand, then very often you can get garments made in Europe where people are paid a fair wage for a days work.

Better made clothes not only last longer then tend to not go out of fashion and are essentially timeless, that way a quality coat can be worn for years and no one will think you've been left behind.
On the other hand the likes of primark, make mostly fashion clothing that will only be good enough for a year or so and then will look very dated, it also won't ware well and will need replacing.

This means your £200 coat that lasts 20+ years worked out much better value than a £30-50 coat that need replacing every year or two.

And as the saying goes, the clothes maketh the man.

Buy smart though, look around for the bargains, I use a lot of outlets for clothes shopping, come Christmas/January sales time you can buy £100 shirts for £30, £120 jeans for £20 and last year I got a Calvin Klein Jacket for £50 reduced from £255.



I think I'll start looking in TK Maxx for decent brands then.

I struggle to tell the difference between brands like Barbour etc that are very much worth the money and other brands by designers that are poor quality. My gf has bought genuinely well overpriced designer stuff from the likes of Cheshire Oaks stores (you know those designer outlets) and some of the things are worn out already. I'd hate to spend more and get poor quality in return. I don't know too much about spotting the quality in person so I'd say I'm at risk of that
 
I think I'll start looking in TK Maxx for decent brands then.

I struggle to tell the difference between brands like Barbour etc that are very much worth the money and other brands by designers that are poor quality. My gf has bought genuinely well overpriced designer stuff from the likes of Cheshire Oaks stores (you know those designer outlets) and some of the things are worn out already. I'd hate to spend more and get poor quality in return. I don't know too much about spotting the quality in person so I'd say I'm at risk of that

It depends on what you buy and for what purpose, a lot of designer things are effectively for "best" wear it every day and you'll kill it.

But I'd never buy cheap running shoes..that doesn't mean I'm in JD buying the latest super duper air max but I genuinely use running shoes for running (about 25 miles a week) and a good pair will last and they protect your knees from impact damage. My mattress is a UK handmade natural fibre thing that cost twice as much as memory foam. But has a 10 year guarantee rather than the usual bin it after 3 for cheap stuff or 5 for half decent.

Guess what I'm saying is spend money on things that need to be fit for purpose, doesn't mean you have to chuck money at brand names for the sake of it though.
 
Saw some of Barbour's other non coat products ; jumpers and hats etc. Wow. The quality is outstanding. I expected those to be 'spin off' products that didn't share the same quality but I was wrong!

Totally sold on the brand now. Also looking at some Dr. Martens 'For Life' series where they guarantee to repair or replace for life.

Ironically, all this investment and planning in clothing is so that I can stop thinking about and having to buy them so often! Haha
 
Back
Top