The Handbook

Get a New (Old) Jacket

A good jacket is not unlike a good pair of shoes. Invest in one that's well-made from quality materials, break it in and enjoy a long life with a piece that you can stand by for years. It's one of the many benefits of buying less, but buying better. Of course, sometimes you don't have the money to buy the best fresh from the store. Or perhaps, as a man accustom to the instant gratification of the internet age, you don't want to endure the slow process of breaking in a jacket. The good news is that these are the perfect items to score secondhand. (Or as you'll say if someone asks, "vintage.") Denim jackets, Harringtons or any one of Barbour's beloved models—these are all pieces of outerwear that should never be retired. But one man's sartorial loss is another man's gain. Have it repaired or cleaned if need be, make it yours and for God's sake, don't get rid of it.

The Barbour Hospital

Barbour now offers a full repair service, replacing worn or damaged jacket components. But instead of using new zippers, pockets and cuffs—things that would stand out on a well-worn coat—their team of tailors scours their abundant library of used pieces, finding items with similar wear patterns so that replacement parts don't disrupt the look of your perfectly aged coat.