Waxed cotton coats have their place, I'm certain. Back 30 years go I wanted a Barbour so badly but would not spend my hard, farm earned cash to buy one. I did, however, buy one for my bride. I would rather her have one than me. Turned out that she didn't really care for it and wore it maybe five times. It has hung in the closet for many years now, like new.

A while later I got the idea of making my own. I watched for a barn coat of the appropriate style for a long time and finally found a brown cotton one, with cuffs and collar trimmed in leather, for about $25. It was on a "Half Price" rack in a department store and had been marked down at half price several times. Lined with flannel plaid it looked like the perfect candidate. i ordered two cans of Browning Reproofing Cream and waited until my wife was gone for a day or two. When that occurred i heated the reproofing cream until it melted clear, on the stove, then "painted" the outside of the coat with hot waterproofing cream with a new paint brush. It totally penetrated the cotton twill. When it cooled I had a waxed cotton coat for maybe $50 bucks. I have worn that old coat every fall and winter for all these years and it has worn into having a character of its own, while the wife's almost new Barbour languishes in the closet.

Her Barbour Bedale:

[Linked Image from jpgbox.com]

My department store barn coat:

[Linked Image from jpgbox.com]

May God bless America and those who defend her.