Chesterfield Coat?

[creagdhubh]

In Scotland if the weather is bad enough to need to wear an overcoat, then more often than not a Barbour coat would probably be a common choice. The view here is, that fashion and style take second place to common sense. In fact we do not wear an over covering that often and apart from pipe band use, even an Inverness of any sort is rarely seen.

Barbour indeed, Jock.

I wear the Barbour items shown below (certainly not all at the same time!) with and without Highland Dress in all sorts of weather (mainly cold or rainy days). For me, functionality and adequate protection from the elements is key. I do not wear any sort of overcoat when dressed in Highland evening attire, to me, it's quite superfluous since I'm rarely outside in the elements for an extended length of time anyway. If it's cold, I'll hurry up and get indoors; if it's rainy and wet, then a smart, black umbrella will do just fine.







Here's a couple of photos of my Chief, Sir William Alan Macpherson of Cluny and Blairgowrie, TD, wearing Barbour with his Highland Dress. Cluny is wearing a lightweight, quilted jacket (Barbour Liddesdale - same as mine above) with a corduroy collar and hits about mid-thigh, because it was a wee bit chilly outside (I had a heavy tweed jacket on, so I was fine!) and not to necessarily make a fashion statement. Although, I have always thought that Barbour not only produces fine products that will last a lifetime, but also looks quite smart at the same time.