altering a Barbour - can it be done?

[drift3r]

Hi guys, I'm currently living in the UK for 6 months, and I recently purchased a beautiful Barbour Beaufort for about $140. I know I could've thrifted one for cheaper, but this baby really is in excellent condition.

The main problem is that I'm a pretty tiny guy, 5'8 130 lbs, so the jacket blooms out around the game pocket in the back. Does anyone have any experience with altering Barbours? I'd love to take an inch or two off the sides. I know that someone in a previous post mentioned that he sent his in to Barbour to have it taken in at the waist, but the $90 price tag was a bit scary for me. The Barbour care tag says not to puncture the shell, as it would negate the waxproofing, but it also mentions that if it were to happen, the coat would need rewaxing. If this means I could have it altered and then simply reproof the coat, I'd be game to experiment. Wondering if anyone had any horror stories that would dissuade me from trying this...

 

[drift3r]

no one has any experience with this? any ideas at least?

 

[The Swede]

I have had it done with a non-Barbour wax coat. No problems at all, just took it to my tailer (cost around 90 USD). Negating the waxproofing sounds a bit strange. I would not do it with a gore-tex shell jacket but this is just cotton and wax. I lengthened the sleeves of my Beaufort with Barbour, no problems there either (pretty expensive though, for an easy alteration).

 

[drift3r]

thanks for the help! it's also frustrating because i just discovered that the seller on ebay was mistaken about the size, but it was probably an honest mistake and I don't know if I can do anything about it. I guess now I have to decide if it's a better option to sell the coat and try to find one that fits better, or try to get it altered.

 

[porcelain monkey]

Originally Posted by The Swede

I have had it done with a non-Barbour wax coat. No problems at all, just took it to my tailer (cost around 90 USD). Negating the waxproofing sounds a bit strange. I would not do it with a gore-tex shell jacket but this is just cotton and wax. I lengthened the sleeves of my Beaufort with Barbour, no problems there either (pretty expensive though, for an easy alteration).

I'll second this. I've had sleeve alterations done through Barbour in the US, but I can't imagine any competent tailor could not do the same for less. And rewaxing, at least along the seams where work was done should not be an issue.

 

[VaderDave]

On a related note: how hard would it be for a tailor to install a drawstring at the waist of a Barbour Border coat? It seems like it would be relatively simple, but I obviously don't know what I don't know.

 

[Flursheim]

Drift, I'm sure Barbour can help you out with that. They've done work to my past jackets that has even surprised me. The first jacket I got was a gift and the sleeves were a tad short. They lengthen it in quick fashion.

Just give them a call and see what they have to say.

 

[drift3r]

vader dave, i'm kinda wondering the same thing. if not that, someone said that they had barbour put in belt loops and a waxed cotton belt, which might be nice.

flursheim, thanks for the suggestion. i was thinking about that, but i'm still debating whether or not it's worth it, because I've heard barbour alterations are pricey.

i'm also wondering whether or not i should cut my losses and just sell the coat. i'm a 34, and i just discovered it's a 38. i'm wondering how much it can realistically be slimmed down, also considering that the beaufort has the game pocket in the back, which i'm assuming makes alterations more difficult.

 

[Charley]

In this situation your best option might be to move the coat along. In my experience the Barbour coats are a bit large to start with, made for fitting over coats and sweaters. so you are starting with a blousey 38 and hoping for a normal 34. It just is not going to work very well. Rather than mucking it up at some expense, and then trying to sell it, just take the beating now and get a new starting point. Good luck with working it out and please post what you eventually do. It could be an interesting series.

 

[VaderDave]

I think I'll take my coat over to my tailor and see what he can do as far as a drawstring waist. My coat fits me just fine, but it would be nice to have a bit more shape/contour to it if possible. I'll let you all know what I find out.

 

[polar-lemon]

Originally Posted by VaderDave

I think I'll take my coat over to my tailor and see what he can do as far as a drawstring waist. My coat fits me just fine, but it would be nice to have a bit more shape/contour to it if possible. I'll let you all know what I find out.

Embrace teh sack.