Staying dry naturally and stylishly - Barbour, Ventile, British Millerain, Grenfell

Tuesday, 2 October 2012

Spending a few days in the wild and woolly north disclosed a few gaps in the Grey Fox outdoors wardrobe. I have plenty of clothing suitable for climbing mountains and rambling along country footpaths, but these are mainly made artificial materials such as Gore-Tex. I have no problem with that, they are the best materials for extremes of weather. However, if the going is not so tough, they are rarely as comfortable as natural materials such as wool and cotton which are softer and more breathable. Furthermore, I don't really want to rustle like a paper bag as I walk a country path. It scares off the wildlife and makes me feel like a jolly anorak-clad rambler on a Sunday outing.

So, as autumn approaches, what is available that is stylish, breathable, quiet and made from natural materials to keep off the worst of the weather? Many of the traditional rainproof garments, made from fabrics such as cotton, were first developed here in the UK by Barbour, Belstaff, Ventile, British Millerain and Grenfell among others (many still going strong in the UK). Could this have been something to do with the British weather and our love of being outdoors walking, climbing, shooting, fishing or sport? This long practical heritage has appealed to British explorers and mountaineers, royalty and the quintessentially cool (i.e. Steve McQueen).

Here are a few examples of outdoor clothing made from natural materials (cotton or wool based) that offer stylish alternatives to more technical artificial fabrics.

[Edit: 2016 - I'm pleased to say that the Grenfell shooting jacket, a vintage example of which is shown below, has been recreated by a revived Grenfell, see here].

Barbour Sapper wax jacket

Hilltrek Ventile windshirt

Joe Caseley-Heyford at John Lewis Ventile mac

Orvis Everest Jacket - Ventile and Scottish tweed

Grenfell original Harrington jacket

A vintage Grenfell outdoor/shooting jacket - no longer available!

Boden Biker, British Millerain waxed fabric

Boden Reefer, British Millerain waxed jacket

6 comments

Anonymous3 October 2012 at 11:54
Hello Dave,

steady on there. I can tell you from experience that Barbour jackets are addictive! I have bought two in the last year had had to resist buying a third. Of course Barbour have come in for much criticism for being fashionable lately, but their jackets are very practical and truly 'classic' in design. Their core range doesn't change much because it was 'right first time' and is in the right colours for autumn and winter. The jackets age nicely too and will match your country brogues. :-)
Cheers
Gruntfuttock
Speedway4 October 2012 at 00:10
I used to buy my guy clothes wherever I happened to see something masculine-looking that wouldn't be dated within a month or two. I once found a gray barn jacket that he fell in love with immediately - and it only cost about $30 on sale. I've found good, sturdy and attractive clothing can often be found in the most unexpected venues. In this case, Cabela's, a sporting goods store. I entered "barn coat" in the search box and came up with 5 similar items. I think they resemble the Grenfell shooting jacket.
Here's the link:
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Wolverine174-Upland-Barn-Coat/1137455.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dbarn%2Bcoat%26x%3D0%26y%3D0%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=barn+coat&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products
Speedway4 October 2012 at 00:15
And if you go to the L.L. Bean website, what I call a 'barn jacket', they listed as a 'field coat.' There are some attractive casual jackets on-line there, as well.
Chris12 November 2014 at 10:54
I'm wanting to buy a Barbour Lutz, love the look of it and trying it on it felt great. However, bought a Barbour Stanley in the spring and it's the sweatiest jacket I ever owned! Are they all like this because if so there's no way I can put up with being that damp in the winter. :-(