What caught my eye this week: practical-but-polished barn jackets
“Wearable” seems to be one of Fashion’s biggest buzzwords this fall, and I’m here for it! One of the styles I’m seeing across several brands is the elevated barn jacket: practical enough for a country walk, but polished enough for scooting around town.
I featured this Heritage Barn Jacket in a recent travel capsule wardrobe, and received a few inquiries about how it would work for Petites. So I thought I’d show you. I’m 5’1″, wearing the XS here. (Available sizes: X-Small to 3X.) It’s almost knee length on me. I’m wearing it with one of the cropped cashmere sweaters (size Small) and there’s room enough in the jacket to layer up even more for warmth if needed.
I like the neatness of the set-in sleeves. The body of the jacket has a straight shape, but isn’t particularly oversized. To my eye, it looks a bit more refined than most traditional barn jackets. The jeans are the 9″ Demi-Boot, and I’m wearing a 27 Regular.
Dialed-up barn jackets for women
A “barn jacket” is usually a single-breasted, thigh-to-above-knee-length, collared jacket. It may be quilted, or not, lined or not. Here are some of my picks for versatile women’s barn jackets:
This quilted version is available in a few colors, in Classic (XX-Small to 3X), Petite, and Tall sizes. I think the navy is a versatile and sophisticated option. And it’s 30% off with code SHOPNOW
This one (described as “capelet”) has a relaxed shape, available in Misses, Petite, Plus, and Plus Petite sizes. Also in Burgundy for cool palettes. It’s very well-reviewed, and currently 25% off.
Barbour is one of the O.G’s of barn jackets…this one is sleek and the Black Cherry color is an interesting alternative to black for you Winters…
I love the contrast piping on this one! In sizes 00(0/2) to 4(20/22). The cream color is good for Springs & Autumns.
This cropped version is a more sporty take on the style. The Dark Moss is a good black alternatives for many of you Autumns (especially Blue or Dark Autumns…) Sizes Small to 3X available.
Here’s one in leather, currently 33% off.
If I didn’t already have a red quilted jacket, I’d be all over this one. (This is Geranium from the Spring & Autumn palettes. Also in moss green and golden yellow, both in Autumn.) Misses, Petite, and Plus sizes available, and it’s 25% off.
And finally, here’s a bright one for you Winters! It’s currently 42% off, and still available in all sizes X-Small to X-Large.
I think a lightweight barn jacket could be a good outerwear option for mild-to-cool fall travel, especially one that’s water-resistant. (The one I’m wearing at top is.)
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For the past couple of years I’ve been looking for a barn, Barbour like jacket. They are perfect for the climate I live in. I prefer ones where the hard wear isn’t obvious. Aka blends in with the coat. Last year I bought an inexpensive one from Marshall’s to see if I’d wear it and boy did I. Unfortunately the zipper broke. If anyone has suggestions of were to buy a jacket like this I’d appreciate it.
I live in Florida and that geranium colored barn jacket from Talbots caught my eye! Perfect weight for the winter here. And bright enough to not only be flatteringly cheery for a paintbox spring but help me be more visible when I walk my dog! Thanks for the preview of all the lovely options!
Very attractive ensemble on you. Love the versatility of the jacket, too.
PS Different topic: Would you please do an issue on products for thinning hair and perhaps products that are natural and temporary for covering gray hair? Thanks! Your hair looks very nice.
I’ve used minoxidil (generic Rogaine) for years, and it works. If you try it, you need to apply it every day for a minimum of 4 months to determine whether or not it helps. After the first year, you can slack off a little. The women’s version is half the strength of the men’s version. If you use the men’s version, you do one application every day instead of the twice daily application of the women’s version. Also, if you apply it too close to bedtime, you can end up with more facial hair, because the solution can rub off onto the pillow, then onto your face. So, get the men’s version and apply it every morning.
Absolutely gorgeous! What a stunning outfit. The brown sweater does it, and it looks like a winter could slide on into that sweater, (please says yes).
Hi Arlene, thanks! The brown sweater is definitely too warm for the Winter palette, but there are several great Winter colors in this style: Heather Charcoal, Dark Iris, Neon Berry Red, Pressed Dahlia, Heather Royal, Navy, and Black, of course. I need to re-check the Kelly Green in person, but IIRC it was more of a Light Emerald, which could also work for Winters.
The sweater is th key here, beautiful, looks like a winter could wear that.
I have a Barbour quilted barn jacket and I love it. Casual but polished as you say and so well made. A little spendy but will have it for many years.
One of my (many) neuroses is, I can’t stand for my clothing to make noise. I just returned an Eileen Fisher quilted nylon barn coat because of the noise it made. The coat was beautiful, but I hated the noise it made every time I moved. And, I know I’m not alone in this, as I’ve seen multiple reviews over the years from other neurotic (!) people. Therefore, I love cotton barn coats and am on the lookout for a new one now!
The zippers on jackets should be 2-way, so that the bottom can be zipped up or down separately from the top. that way it is convenient to open the bottom of the jacket for sitting in a car, for example. But, most jackets I’ve seen don’t have this feature.
I will just say that this jacket looks far better on you than it does on the model. I passed right over it at JCrew and will now take another look although I think the prices at JCrew are getting a bit out of whack. Hope you are doing well!
I definitely agree with you about the prices at J. Crew!!
I feel like the Grinch — not a true barn jacket in the mix, excepting maybe the cropped one. I get ‘quilted’ is on-trend, but barn jackets are not quilted. They are designed for working outside, long walks with the dog, and running out to get the mail — but really, it’s the workhouse aspect that’s most important. LLBean has some nice — and attractive — options for barn and utility jackets. They last forever.
I dunno, I grew up around horses and spent time with “horse people” in my adult years until my dad passed away, and I distinctly remember quilted jackets like the Barbour one being worn around the barn and for riding during cooler months. Maybe it’s a regional thing?
I love barn jackets, and that Barbour one has my name all over it.
Excellent topic and post. I ❤️ barn jackets. They’re the blazer of cool weather jackets. You found some great ones.
I’m thinking of you. ❤️
Ann
Are those Aquatalias comfortable? The soles on the last pair I had were so thin that I could feel the cobblestones under my feet during a trip. I was miserable.
I’ve worn these and other Aquatalia styles for travel and found them quite comfortable. (That said, everyone’s feet are different and some people may find adding an additional cushioned insole helpful.)
I went to Talbots to check out that jacket. It looks red in the photo but IRL it’s a bright orange. Color is called clementine. I bought it as I do like orange and I liked the dark brown trim. The yellow gold had a lighter brown trim. The olive is also nice but as an Autumn, I have tons of olive jackets.