During my recent series of posts on Levi’s bespoke jeans, a reader commented that he didn’t like denim because it didn’t drape like wool, linen or other materials commonly used for suiting. He’s not wrong, but denim and other cotton materials have a beauty all of their own.
That beauty is more similar to leather than to wool. Like leather, these cottons adapt to the shape of the wearer. They take on his physique, become unique and personalised, and are more precious as a result. A structured suit jacket, of course, does this too. But leather reflects the wearer on the surface as well as inside – in the patina that builds up through use, shape and circumstance.
This is the first of a handful of posts demonstrating that beauty. Although part of the ‘How great things age’ series, they focus on vintage items and those not normally associated with tailoring, such as denim, leather and waxed cotton.
The first piece is my 1960s Barbour motorcycling jacket. Originally part of a suit, it still has the internal buttons that would have attached the matching waxed-cotton trousers. It has clearly seen a lot of user over the years, with darning in several places. The great thing about cotton, of course, is that even the outside can easily be darned when it frays or rips. Note the original cycling club patch, with has also been carefully sewn on by hand.
As owners of more modern Barbour and Belstaff jackets will know, waxed cotton is unique for the speed with which it ages, developing a vintage look very quickly. It’s one reason that artificially aged versions haven’t really caught on – unlike jeans and leather jackets. But a waxed jacket that has been worn, beaten and rewaxed several times also develops a deeper hue that is particularly attractive. The photos here give some sense of that. (As ever, click images to enlarge.)
This Barbour is from the excellent Vintage Showroom in Covent Garden, which I recommend (also Josh Sims’s book on the same store). However, as with most vintage jackets be aware that they will be cut shorter and squarer than any modern piece, and it may therefore take quite a while to find one that fits well. The only advantage of models like the Trialmaster is the belt, which can be cinched to deal with some of the squareness.
For more on vintage pieces, see my post on RRL.
And my recent feature for The Telegraph contained more about the history of the motorcycle jacket and other pieces.
Simon, I am having a bespoke dark navy linen blazer made. I am currently pondering detail and would ask for your help. On a jacket that will be used in both casual and semi-formal situations I am weighing up exterior pocket styles and need some advice (my tailor has been vague on the subject). I would like to try ‘U’ shaped patch style pockets, but I am concerned that the linen fabric will ‘droop’ or sag over time if used in this way. However, I am worried that using normal slit pockets with flaps will look a little boring! Any advice gratefully received.
Patch pockets will be good. They shouldn’t sag if you don’t put much in them. Ideally nothing regularly
I love the look of waxed jackets but just cant wear them. Find them heavy on the back & sweat profusely in them as they don’t breath at all. I don’t understand how other people find them comfortable to wear .. especially casually in the city (I’ve even seen them worn over suits on clothing blogs .. some of the younger armour guys especially like to wear barbour waxed coats over fine tailored clothing .. perhaps proof they are far stronger men than me).
Thanks. That’s always going to be a problem with most waterproofed materials – certainly the less modern ones.
The wax certainly makes them heavy too. The nice thing with a suit is the way it makes the combination more casual, though it’s no coincidence that they are most popular in such combinations in Italy and Asia – in the UK they have a few too many country associations to be taken seriously with suits
Great article and glad to see, alongside the RRL article adjoined, you are moving into the dark side of ready to wear Simon.
You’ve raised an important First World Problem in this piece – what do you do when you have too many nice jackets to wear to really break them in? (Leather / wax cotton, Barbour, BELSTAFF etc).
I am not a fan of artificially distressing stuff , but nor am I really a second hand guy.
Do you think I should hire someone of my same build and frame to do some manual labour outdoors in my jackets?
Ha!
It’s a good point J. As I said, it’s the reason distressed leather and jeans are so popular (at least until we got more raw denim). I’m afraid the two options are really just artificially distressing or buying vintage. You can try and distress them yourself (wax, rain, rolling over gravel…) but it’s a long and unpredictable process
I wonder if the vintage Barbours were squarer to accommodate bulkier, presumably woolen, clothing underneath? Brits were hardly beefier in the olden days.
Yes Charles, there might have been bulkier clothing underneath. Tight fit was also less essential – has been in more practical jackets of this sort unless speed was a factor, which is one reason why motorcycle jackets have remained so popular
Regarding wearing in cloths, Jilly Cooper wrote a very funny book years ago about class. There is a very interesting chapter on clothing. She recounts how the (last) duke of Westminster used to have his valet wear in his clothing for the first year or two so they didn’t look too new. Now, if I can only find a valet with a 38 inch waist and 43 chest!
Yes I remember that. And a few members of the royal families (eg Middle East) still do that.
The time I can’t understand it is with shoes. The Arabs and Russians order 20-30 pairs, which require wearing-in by their own feet, not someone else’s (the footprint and bend points will be in the wrong place). So they spend all that money and they will never get the pleasure of shoes that actually mould to their feet. Rather silly.
Nice Jacket! Great Article and very useful for every bike lovers
Simon, I’ve been eyeing a waxed cotton jacket for the fall. My first instinct was to go with an olive cotton, but I’m having second thoughts after seeing this fetching navy. Any insight into which color will be more versatile? Which do you prefer? Thanks!
Navy will be more versatile, being smarter but still casual enough. I tend to prefer greens though – such as the Drake’s model
Ah, thank you! I see now that your vintage Barbour is black?
I’ve been looking at a company called Claymore Jackets up in East Yorkshire. Have you heard of them? Any thoughts on their operation? I gather it’s a contingent of craftspeople who worked for Belstaff before Belstaff outsourced production. They deal in MTM, which is a boon for my 28cm drop. If it wasn’t for my odd shape, I would certainly consider the Drakes version, as it looks quite fetching.
I don’t know them I’m afraid, interesting to hear about though
Nice jacket! I like this.