Friday, July 24

tip -barbour

I fully support one of the planks of the recent "buy American" movement; that is to buy goods from their original manufacturers. Boots and blankets should come from Minnesota, camping gear from Oregon (or California) and moccasins from Maine. Plus, coats come from Dakota and pencils come from Pennsylvania... Right?

On that tack, a few months back The Trad revealed a nice tip on the ACL boards that should have been obvious but wasn't... when buying British goods, especially nicely aged stuff like say, a Barbour jacket, use British eBay. Bolt of lighting time...

"Ahem, a small word of advice that’ll save you a couple hundred bucks – - Go to Ebay UK for your Barbour. Dirt cheap and beat to hell for about $50. Throw in shipping for $30 and you have the real McCoy with distressed character." -Tintin (The Trad)

Excellent advice. Took a little watching but managed to snag a "BARBOUR BEDALE Waxed Country/Riding jacket 38" for 12 pounds sterling, about $20. Insane. Have never owned one until now; in the UK a Barbour has some slightly loaded social conortations (i.e. you may be an upper class twit / Hooray Henry / Sloane Ranger / Yaaah) but no doubt that is just my insecurity showing. Fine, fine piece of kit.




Related tip from Oma that I won't need this time: Distress a Barbour to avoid the ignominy of appearing to have a new one... elastic bands wound round the arms and leave it in the back of the car for the dogs to trample on!

Now the big question.. do I rewax it and go through all that or just wear it as is...