To Barbour or Not to Barbour

To be quite honest, before moving to the UK the Barbour jacket was not on my radar. Call me crazy, but the muted jacket doesn't exactly make a bold entrance. Barbour is a brand of practicality. Founded in 1894, the outdoor clothing company specializes in hunting gear. I can honestly say I have never been hunting and therefore have had no use for such attire. You won't find any muskets in my closet.

However, with two feet firmly planted in Scotland, I can't escape the brand. I see the Barbour label everywhere I go - magazines, store window displays, and most noticeably young women (and men for that matter). But not just any young women...fashionable ones at that.

The thing is, in theory this olive, androgynous lump of wax is nowhere near fashionable. The thing is pretty shapeless. It is durable, waterproof, and all together fairly indestructible. But so are many practical things in life: windbreakers, snow pants..bullet proof vests. That doesn't necessarily qualify an item as luxe or en vogue. So what is it that makes the Barbour jacket an exception? Why are celebrities sporting this country necessity in cities across the world?



Alexis Chung (UK) Olivia Palermo (NYC)

It's hard to say. I think there's something about the simplicity and the ruggedness. The shaplessness is chic in a "I just threw this on" sort of way. This hunting staple appears to be a timeless-survive-anything icon. I like the idea of a coat you can wear in the mud and on the Upper East Side.

Barbour on Jcrew

I dare to categorize Barbour jackets with UGG boots. Or maybe a little more Hunter. A (slightly unattractive) country staple turned downtown chic. I also have a sneaking suspicion one of these babies might be hanging in my grandmothers basement - maybe a bit moldy...but Barbour nonetheless.

Kate Moss- ahead of the trend as usual

UPDATE:

I must admit, a size 30 beadnell jacket in olive was at the top of my christmas list. I searched across Edinburgh during the final weeks of my stay. I wanted that touch of UK authenticity. I traipsed up and down High Street and scoured Barbour By Mail's online catalogue, only to find that particular gem was sold out across the UK. Much to my dismay, I returned home Barbour-less. I almost gave into purchasing one on Jcrew.com, the ultimate sell out move. But then something tragic happened. Upon returning to Vanderbilt, I was thrown into a sea of olive: a Barbour invasion. Vanderbilt has the tendency (and I say this with all due respect) to incubate a breeding ground for conformity. Much like Longchamp totebags and Tory Burch Reva flats, the Barbour jacket had become a full fledged trend. In that instant, the jacket lost much of its appeal. I felt deceived by my normally on point instinct. How could I have been so naive? Here I was, thinking I was ahead of the trend, when in fact I was quite far behind. As someone who desperately wants to enter the fashion world, this blow was particularly devastating. Yet, I will prevail. With a renewed sense of fervor, I have moved past my Barbour mishap. Fashion waits for no one and I refuse to be left even a single step behind.

(rain) Boots

I recently moved to the very rainy and very damp city of Edinburgh, Scotland. In lieu of my strategic packing method, I ultimately decided not to bring my hunter rain boots. I was allowed two 5o pound suitcases. The boots weighed close to 5. I regret this decision. However, at least I don't stick out as an American- because those are the people who actually wear "wellies" here. Apparently, you can spot the "country folk" and "tourists" by these clunky boots. So I went on a quest for chic "rainboots that don't look like rainboots. Here is what I found:

london fog wales (piperlime)

banana republic

la canadienee women's serafina knee high boot

la canadienne women's pully rain boot

ilse jacobsen women's rubeber 16 rain boot

I'm a big fan of la canadienne women's pully rain boot- in black. They also come in red and navy. I am contemplating whether to dish out the cash for a pair of these- or just slosh around with soggy leatherboots/uggs for the semester.

Fall Cravings

Loving the rust orange, navy and sequins. Lusting after Nanette Lepore's fall collection.

I am loving this orange shift dress - it looks particularly good on this model. Perhaps growing up in New England has made me particularly fond of this shade of orange - something reminiscent of fall foliage and crisp weather.

My tans pretty much gone but I'm FINALLY getting use to the idea of fall!

Hurricane Earl

I can't seem to take Earl seriously. The hurricane that is. Everytime someone exclaims "Earl's coming," my immediateresponse is "Earl who?" I frequently associate hurricanes with the tropics - perhaps because growing up in Florida I prepared for quite a few. A hurricane in Miami "looks" different than an hurricane on Cape Cod. Melted popsicles and fiery oranges versus cool blues and stormy grays...

Hurricanes in the South remind me of:

While Hurricanes in the North conjure images of :

Earl's expected to hit Cape Cod tonight- I'm more worried about Golden retriever (who is very afraid of storms) than anything else. He has been panting all day - despite the blowing AC. But we will just have to wait and see Earl will actually brings!

Coo Coo for Cockatoos

My father once bought me a cockatiel for my 8th birthday. We went to a bird breeder and everything. Stationed on the outskirts of Miami beach, this one story ranch encapsulated a Willy Wonka land of exotic birds. Inside dozens of birds sat perched on rafters, banisters and mantels while others darted frantically across the ceiling. The home was a giant bird cage. Looking back, this vision is terrifying. However, at the time I was enthralled. I picked out the most beautiful, at least in my mind, white cocktail in the joint. With no spark of originality, I named her Polly. My mother, stationed back up North, was not so thrilled. Polly was banned from coming home with me and that was that. Months later, my mother ridden with guilt I'm sure, caved and bought me a second cocktail. I, once again, named him (yes, him) Polly. No one told me it was bad luck to name your new pet after the old. Consequently, Polly was cursed the very beginning. From the start, Polly #2 wasn't the friendliest bird. You had to wrap your hands in bath towels before picking him up...either that or lose a finger. Due to Polly's shaky temperament, he mostly sat in an antique designer cage, alone, in the corner of the apartment. At least he was housed in style. Things went downhill after I received Romeo, a miniature poodle, for Christmas. I mean come on, you can't compete with a puppy. Soon after, the male bird began laying eggs. Not normal. We brought Polly to a pet store specialist. Apparently our bird was a sufferer of depression. This bird needed some therapy or a zoloft stat. (Please don't report me to ASPCA.) Ultimately, in hopes of bettering his (and our) life, we gave Polly away. I assume he lived happily ever after.

After the saga with Polly, you wouldn't think I would be a "bird person." Oddly enough, I've had a strange change of heart. While the domestication of birds is not for me, cockateils and their close relative, the cockatoo (ok- and an occasional toucan), have really been calling to me in the form of fashion.

I love this Marc Jacobs dress from a couple seasons ago. A universally flattering wrap dress adorned with tropical birds? Yes please!

Kate Moss, one of my longstanding fashion go-to's, seems to agree as well. This bird print dress for Top Shop is spot on, simultaneously chic and whimsy.

I think these bright accent pillows would be great in an apartment. There is something cheery and whimsical about the designs that would really brighten up a room. Not all of them together of course - that might be a little too reminiscent of the bird breeder in Miami.

I really love this assortment of colors. Some sort of tropical rendezvous. Chaotic yet tranquil at the same time. Reminds me of a dress I coveted all summer...

Don't go summer!