A barn jacket is a loose fitting jacket that buttons down the front and hits at about mid hip. In its traditional sense, the barn jacket really was intended for people performing rugged work outdoors, and still may be used in this manner. Lined barn jackets can take the chill out of performing outdoor chores like mucking out stables or feeding animals in early morning or evening hours.

In the 19th century, fisherman developed a few techniques that would be indispensable to the barn jacket for the workman or workwoman. By using oils or wax, jackets and coats could be slightly waterproofed, making them more stain resistant and able to withstand a little rain or water spilled onto them. Numerous barn jackets still use waterproofing or stain resistant techniques to create a more utilitarian coat.

The barn jacket can be made in a variety of fabrics and may be lined or unlined. Common fabrics include cotton twill, cotton flannel, wool flannel, and denim. A few newer styles are made with plush or microfibers. Typical linings include wool fleece, polyester fleece, quilted polyesters and quilted flannel.

You can find the barn jacket in a variety of styles, some certainly not intended for heavy-duty all-season work. Soft Italian leather barn jackets with silk lining are popular. A barn jacket might feature a variety of designs, elaborate buttons or patterned fabric. The less work-worthy barn jacket still can make for a good extra layer or even a fashion statement for those who don’t perform a great deal of manual labor.

A lined barn jacket provides exceptional warmth, and many also like its slightly longer than jacket length. Styles exist for both men and women. A few noted manufacturers, like L.L. Bean and Land’s End, always feature a few styles. In department stores, the barn jacket may be harder to find if it is not currently thought in fashion. If you’re looking for a local barn jacket, Army Surplus stores can be a great place to look, though the styles may tend toward the simpler, sturdier look.