An Exclusive First Look at Barbour and Noah’s Latest Collaboration

Well, folks. We’ve officially reached that part of February in which every single person I interact with—including myself—is just plain over it. Over the snow. Over the cold. Over it. Spring needs to get here pronto. No further motivation for this sentiment is needed.

At least, that’s what I thought. And then I saw the latest collection from Barbour and Noah, starring a madras riff on the classic Bedale and the beautiful, boxy Wading Casual jacket (based on Barbour’s Spey jacket) in black, brown, and mint green. Both of which, notably, are unwaxed, meaning they’ll be far more comfortable in the warmer months. Alongside a lineup of tees and sweatshirts that blend Barbour’s utilitarian roots with Noah’s irreverent aesthetic, it’s exactly the sort of stuff you want to wear when the frost is finally a thing of the past. In other words: Now I’m even more impatiently awaiting spring’s arrival.

The Wading Casual jacket in mint green.

“For us, Barbour has always been a brand we’ve loved. It’s been part of the landscape for as long as I can remember—a staple in the best possible way. It endures because it’s so good; you simply can’t walk away from it. It’s that practical and timeless,” Noah founder Brendon Babenzien said in statement. “However, because of the brand’ historical roots, particularly with its waxed jackets, Barbour tends to be associated with colder, wetter months. We wanted to find a way to extend that year-round love affair with Barbour, even into the warmer seasons. That’s where the pivot to dry cloths came in, alongside silhouettes and colorways that are lighter, more versatile, and perfectly suited for summer.”

The Wading Casual jacket in brown.

Picking a star of the show seems like an easy exercise. There is, after all, no ignoring that madras Bedale. It’s pink! It’s preppy! It’s a little bit “fuck you” but in, like, you know, a friendly way. But in my book, it’s the brown Wading jacket that’s the real winner. It may not have the flash of the mint green version (to say nothing of pink madras) or the gravitas of black, but it’s the sort of thing you could wear for years, developing that legendary Barbour patina along the way. And even though the cropped cut is undeniably of the moment, it’s not so extreme that it’ll look strange when fits shift, as they always do.

Regardless of what I think, though, you can bet that the entire lineup ($110-$749) is going to move quickly when it goes on sale on February 27. So mark your calendar, rank your favorites, and get ready. Winter has thoroughly worn out its welcome, and spring will be here soon enough—even if that doesn’t feel soon enough.