The Barbour is my go-to jacket.
I'm on my third Beaufort in twenty years, and I can't recommend them enough. The first one was appropriated by my father, and the second one I traded away to one of my flatmates at the time for an old watch. He specifically wanted a well-used one, and couldn't be arsed to break it in himself. Well, like jeans, they look best when they're well-worn.
Admittedly, it fits in with much of the rest of my style (I wear corduroy and tweed/tweedy suits quite a lot), but the lovely girlfriend has now started telling me not to wear it, as she finds unfashionable. On the other hand, you get away with wearing them over anything, from black tie (well, all right, a suit, rather) to a T-shirt and jeans,
I started wearing them in my mid-teens, and was instantly hooked. Those jackets got me through studies and the start of my career, and damn, are they practical. When I was a student, the huge game-pocket in the rear could hold a newspaper, lecture notes etc. without any noticeable problem, or being noticeable at all. I also keep an oilskin flat cap in the game pocket, for rain.
I've stopped using a Filofax, but the side pockets can hold those perfectly.
The Barbours are perfect for shooting and hiking in not-too-strenuous conditions, that is, mid-to-low temperatures, and not too ambitious trips. At freezing-point and in temperatures just over, they tend to get stiff and uncomfortable, though. I've even tried sailing in one, in a pinch, although that wasn't much of a success.
They're also excellent for travelling - lots of pockets, easily stowable, and extremely versatile in terms of style.
And, as with jeans, they can be well-worn, and still look good in polite company. I think of them as the most practical all-round jackets available.
The only drawback would be that they are relatively unfashionable now, if you're bothered by that. I tried reproofing one myself, and had moderate success after some experimentation.
As glowing as this reply became while in the making, I suppose I should add that I have no connection to the company whatsoever.
