A Visit to the Barbour Factory, South Shields

One chilly morning in March I made the trip up to Newcastle (big thanks to Hannah for the coffee shop recommendation) for the first time in my life. It's one of the few big Northern cities that I've somehow managed to avoid – eight trips to Scotland last year and I never stopped off...The North East of England is known for its rich industrial and trade background, and Barbour's HQ in South Shields is no exepection to the rule.

J. Barbour & Sons Ltd., est 1894, is one of the most celebrated brand names you will find in the UK, if not the world. Their steadfast outerwear was originally intended for manual labour + outdoor work, but has since been adopted by many cultures; from the upper classes and farmers, to musicians and those with an interest in timeless style. With a keen interest for manufactoring and craft, I couldn't wait to see things up close.

 Press studs being positioned

Sprayway Waterproof Testing with 4K Photography

I'm having some colour issues, but you in either case the jacket is bright orange!

I had just one aim on one very cold Monday morning; to find out, if indeed, these outerwear brands are talking any sense when they says, "100% waterproof". Just a note, what you won't see in these photos – which have been extracted from a 4K Video, using the Lumix LX100 - is me hunched over, standing in a soggy puddle with not nearly enough substantial footwear on.

I received this brilliantly orange Sprayway Arete jacket a few months back, from Blacks Outdoors, and I've been putting it through its paces pretty much every day since. Working from home can leave me feeling slovenly and "sweatpants" at best, the only time I really head beyond the front door, on a typical day, is either to go to the gym, for a run or to pick up food. 

The majority of my jackets can withstand a storm or two, but I've noticed this particular orange number seems to be the best out of the bunch, for everyday use. It's made from 100% Polyamide fabric, features taped seams, adjustable hood, and is a fully breathable. I wanted to push the waterproof test a little further than just a light shower, so armed with a bucket of water I did just that.

I gave it my best shot, and it's safe to say that the Sprayway Arete jacket is 100% waterpoof – ain't no water seeping through there. After trying to find faults with this jacket for the last few months I've given up. It may well be the perfect wet-weather jacket for me – be that for nipping to the shops, cycling, jogging or, if I'm led to believe, swimming...

How I achieved these shots: LUMIX LX100 / 4K Mode / Auto Assist / AFC Focus (Focuses constantly on moving subject) / Natural Light / AF Mode: Area 1.

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Outfit | Wolsey 260th Anniversary Peacoat

Wearing - Peacoat c/o Wolsey | Whistles Denim Shirt | Albam Jeans | Red Wing Boots | Banana Republic Gloves | ASOS Beanie

With these unseasonably warm days we've been having this December I haven't had much chance to bust out my Navy Peacoat by British brand Wolsey, but a there have been a couple of fresh days to take advantage of. Ain't no proper Christmas without a little cold snap, wool coats and a glass of brandy - so I'm hoping the chill arrives pronto.

I used to associate Wolsey with my Grandad's selection of groovy golf jumpers and socks, from the late '80s, but when you do a little research on the brand it quickly becomes clear that they're one of the most important British outfitters of recent times. Not only are they responsible for supporting Captain Scott and his team on their heroic 1911 race to the South Pole, and British troops throughout two world wars, but they also have 260 years of experience in garment construction.

For this mega milestone Wolsey has created a British-made collection, inspired by their rich heritage. I've been wearing peacoats for donkey's years, but this one from the 260 Collection is by far the most detailed and luxurious one I've owned. The soft, but robust fabric will take a battering in the Northern weather this Winter, but I have a feeling it could go a few rounds somewhere a heck of a lot more treacherous.

Photography by Jake Millers.

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Review | The North Face Venture Jacket

I've been testing out the brighter-than-bright Venture Jacket by The North Face for a few months now, reserving it to cycling and the more monsoon-type days. I've definitely got a thing for outdoor and performance clothing - mainly due to their built-for-purpose nature, and therefore (hopefully) should be able to withstand more than a puff of wind or a splattering of rain every now and again.

For this past year or so I've been using my Marmot Precip jacket for cycling, jogging and general travelling - and seeing that I gave it a glowing review (note, it wasn't the most expensive but ticked all the boxes), everything after this has a lot to live up to. The North Face Venture Jacket is basically the equivalent to Marmot's offering; a lightweight, waterproof, breathable jacket, which is design for hiking, cycling, communting and the general outdoors lifestyle. For waterpoof jackets with style in mind check these out.

Is It Any Good?

Personally I wasn't the biggest fan of this jacket. It comes in this cool shade of nautical blue, and from wearing it while cycling/jogging I can say it's definitely waterproof, but I didn't really find the material very breathable. I ended up getting a hellutha sweat on a one point, and couldn't wait to unzip it. I also found that the collar (when zipped) was at a odd height, constantly jostling for posting with my chin. Maybe it's just not that suitable for my 6'1" frame, but for me it was probably 2" too short in the body - I felt like I was contently pulling it down. Cycling-wise, the length isn't an issue, but I think it would benefit from a longer back.

It's not all bad though, aesthetically it does the job, the fabric feels solid and the under arm zips are a nice addition, but I would expect a little more from a jacket which has been designed for performance in mind. Overall, for a lightweight, waterproof jacket money would be on the Marmot Precip (both being around £80). It's not all about looks hey?

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Outfit | Planning For Road Trips

Wearing - Waxed Jacket c/o Barbour | Reiss Sweatshirt | Harry Stedman T-Shirt | Universal Works Trousers | Wolverine 1000 Mile Boots | Skagen Watch | Wolsey Socks | ASOS Hat | Club Monoco Tote

Yep the wall, I'm at the wall again. Someone recently said to me, "...looking forward to seeing it (referring to a bag I just bought) at the wall sometime soon". This is true, I have a limited amount of locations up my sleeve, unless I actually visit a new town. But as I've loosely pencilled in 2015 as the "year of road trips", who knows what weird and wonderful places I'll have as a backdrop. On a scale of one to Yasumi (Yasumi being 10, because look), I'm aiming for a realist seven.

The plan is for me and Nik to drive across Europe - starting at mine in Lancashire, then down to France, and then on to wherever will have us! A realistic seven. Belgium, Holland, Germany, Denmark...stopping off for a couple of days in each country. As I write this it's sounding more like a potential eight - we've got to make this happen!

I realise none of this has anything to do with the photos above, I've gone off on one. I'd call this outfit "Dad's Day Off", as the combination of the Barbour Jacket + Wolverine Boots makes me think I'd be more suited to a Range Rover than a Fiat 500. They'd both serve as trusty companions for a trip across Europe.

So does anyone have experience in planning road trips like this? We're thinking rent some wheels, sort out some sweet places and go from there. Dom Joly's Happy Hour springs to mind. If there's any travel companies reading please do get in touch!

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Taking The Rain Test + Weekend Links

Wearing - The North Face Jacket c/o JD | ASOS Hat

More jackets folks. But can you blame us, it's soaking about 90% of the time here. I'll be putting this "all-weather" Venture Jacket by The North Face through its paces over the next month - as the temperatures have dipped it's definitely too cold as a main jacket so I'll need to layer up good and proper. We'll see how it fares in the rain – it's got a lot to live up to if my Marmot jacket is anything to go by. Which brands do you recommend?

Enjoy the rest of your weekend my friends, take it easy.

Weekend Bucket List

The decision to no longer accept comments on your blog
Here's what £495 socks look like
Riding the NY subway on a vintage carriage
This Swiss-made wooden cow
A new restaurant in London added to my must-visit list
Buckets & Spades made it onto a Top 10 list!
In case you missed it - I interviewed Travel Photographer Simone Anne

Rain:Flannel Trucker Jean Jacket Parka 

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Outerwear For Winter | Function + Form

 Mat putting the Marmot Precip Jacket to the test

I don't think Buckets & Spades as ever focused on fashion that isn't functional. Nothing that is 100% style and 0% substance, at least. Often though, clothes don't reveal their lack of functionality until you properly test them. Sometimes a zip doesn't quite close and in the rain, your pocket fills with water (not good when your phone is in it!). Mat's very keen on practicality too - usually sporting his Marmot jacket at the first whiff of rain

 

The rare excursion to Wales aside, I'm not that much of an outdoors type, so it's not usually a problem. Living in London means you're protected from the harshest of the elements - you spend the year boiling on the tube no matter what the season.

Summer has long gone and the shops are full of Autumn/Winter gear, so here's a round-up of some outerwear pieces that have caught my attention; that promise a high degree of both style and function. The Fullin Jacket by Bench, is a soft-lined water-repellent coat that closes in against all the elements. When the zips are done up, there’s no water getting in these pockets. The real bonus, for me, is that it folds down small enough to fit in a bag - a must in the ever changing weather of Autumn and the horribly-humid tube.

 

Then we have the coats from BEE Clothing, which include their very own Signature Jacket - created using a water-repellent, breathable fabric called Blenheim. Featuring a sleeve pocket for an Oyster card and a wool/silk blend lining. This coat was surely designed for me - I do like to moan about the horrors of the rush hour tube. BEE also produce a great looking cycling jacket, with a list of features I couldn’t possibly do justice to here, but the star of which are the reversible sides: from hi-vis on one-side to neat city jacket on the other.

 

Other coats that have crossed my path are the lightweight, heat reflective-lined Ansgar Jacket by Swedish outerwear experts Elvine, the ludicrously waterproof Vareo from Henri Lloyd and the runner's friendly Nike Hurricane Jacket.

As the UK is pretty wet in general but the temperatures do also dip, it helps to a jacket which covers all bases. Has anyone else started thinking about the winter yet? - Nik

You can find Nik at - Conrad's Beer | Twitter | Instagram

Snow:Sylvain Hooded Parka Bomber Jacket