5 Ways to Wear a Barn Jacket & Other Favorites

For Sunday favorites today with Mary Ann and Cindy, I thought I would share a few ways I wear a barn jacket. I’ve been wearing one ever since I first moved to Connecticut about 25 years ago!  They are the perfect jacket for transitioning from fall to winter.

When we moved to New Canaan in 2000, I received a box with some gorgeous wooden hangers and a gift card for $100 to a store in Westport, CT. I had never been to Mitchells, so I took the gift card and purchased my first barn jacket. It was a men’s quilted Barbour jacket in black with a black corduroy collar. I still wear it to this day. 

Barn jackets as a trendy accessory come and go, and this year, everyone has a version. You could choose the OG, the Barbour jacket, or opt for a more high-end version with a barn jacket from Prada or Burberry.

Every brand has a version of the barn jacket. Starting with Old Navy and GAP, and of course J. Crew, Alex Mill, and Madewell. There are so many great jackets, but I’ll share a few moderately priced jackets that I love.

What makes it a barn jacket?

A genuine barn jacket is a workwear jacket. Typically, a barn jacket will be insulated (but not always) and has a waxed finish for water-resistance. It was initially designed for outdoor work.

What are the characteristics of a barn jacket?

Barn jackets are similar to the chore coat, but they are a bit more oversized than a traditional chore coat. They are also meant to be worn outdoors in any weather, so most barn jackets have a waxed finish on the fabric.

They have large patch pockets which are placed perfectly for stuffing your hands into to keep warm. There’s usually an inside pocket as well. On my Barbour coat, there’s a pocket with a zipper to keep money, keys, or whatever safe. 

Some barn jackets have sturdy snaps, and some have a zipper or both.

I’m sharing a few barn jackets, and not all are meant for outdoor work, but more as a comfortable coat to wear just about anywhere with everything! Perfect for layering over sweaters, sweatshirts, tees, and turtlenecks.

You will see several repeats in items like the sneakers, the Neil pants, and the jeans from Alex Mill. Also, I love my stripe tee from Kule. I wear it all the time. They have a 20% discount when you buy two!

Left: Chiltern Street Jacket from Alex Mill // Stripe Turtleneck Kule// Brown Suede Bucket Bag // Stripe Sweater Kule // Jeans Alex Mill // Caroline Loafers Sézane

Middle: Canvas Jacket with Corduroy Collar from Banana Republic // Stripe Tee Kule // Neil Pant Alex Mill // Veja Suede Sneakers // Brown Suede Bucket Tote Madewell

Right: Barbour Phoebe Jacket // Neil Pant Alex Mill // Stripe Tee Kule // Veja Sneakers //

Left: Plaid Barn Jacket GAP // Cropped Oxford Uniqlo // Stripe Tee // Jeans Alex Mill // Veja Sneakers // Warby Parker Putnam Glasses

Right: Rag & Bone Cassidy Jacket // Cream Colored Tee Kule // Stripe Sweater Kule // Neil Pant Denim Alex Mill // Adidas Sambas // Puffy Heart Necklace

A few more Sunday favorites

Movies we’ve watched

Now that the U.S.Open Tennis is over, we’ve been watching a few movies. My brother recommended The Penguin Lessons, and my husband and I both watched it on the flight home to New York from Paris. It’s based on a true story about an Englishman who goes to Argentina in 1976 to teach. He rescues an orphaned penguin on the beach, and it transforms his life. The movie came out last year, but I only just found out about it. So maybe you missed it too?

Another movie we somehow missed in 2001 was Charlotte Gray, starring Cate Blanchett and Billy Crudup. Speaking of Billy Crudup–did you see the first episode of The Morning Show that just dropped?

Veja – A new sneaker for fall

I still wear Adidas Sambas, but I’ve also found a new pair of sneakers that I love. Dare I say they might be the latest shoe on trend? So many designers/buyers were wearing them at the big flea market that happens only eight times per year in Avignon.

I could have created an Instagram reel showcasing the unique fashion styles people wore at this particular flea market. And many were wearing these Volley Tent Sneakers from Veja in every color combination.

Quince Luggage

We have been using Quince luggage for a couple of years, and we keep adding bags. What we like about these bags is that they’re very lightweight and sturdy. It maneuvers so well. Far better than any other bag I’ve owned over the years. When we fly back from Paris after a buying trip, we have a lot of bags, and I am often rolling two bags with a tote on at least one, and I have no trouble!

If you’re considering buying new luggage, I highly recommend checking out Quince and making a comparison!

Anthropologie 25% off Fall Sale

I’ve had my eye on a pair of track pants, and these Pleated Trouser Track Pants by Maeve might just be the ones. And they are on sale!

Let’s see what Mary Ann & Cindy found this week!

Classic Casual Home

Read Mary Ann’s Sunday favorites post here.

Cindy Hattersley Design

Read Cindy’s Sunday favorites post here.