Vintage Deals on eBay: Jackets for Decorative Gourd Season!

**IT’S DECORATIVE GOURD SEASON, FRUGAL MOTHERF\*CKERS** I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to put on my vintage barn jacket and dress like I just stepped out of a f\*cking L.L. Bean catalog. This fit is going to look so f\*cking seasonal. It’s not summer, it’s not winter, and it’s not spring. So grab a calendar and pull your f\*cking heads out of your asses; it’s FALL, frugal f\*ckers. There’s a nip in the air and my closet is overflowing with canvas and corduroy.  When I go apple picking in my flannel shirt and vintage barn jacket it’s gonna be like BLAMMO! Look at this f\*cking thing I got from DalesHouseOfTreasurez on eBay for $57 shipped. You just know from the caked on dirt and permanent blood stains that this jacket has seen some real sh\*t. It is absolutely perfect for standing in the middle of a f\*cking cornfield and staring down at my phone while my girlfriend takes a thousand selfies. And I am going to look absolutely f\*cking amazing while I overpay for shellacked vegetables and stuff my f\*cking facehole with stale donuts. So welcome to autumn, you frugal f\*ckheads! \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* With my sincere apologies for subjecting all of you to that, and of course to McSweeney’s for bastardizing [their original masterpiece]( this week really was the start of decorative gourd season in North America. And that means it’s time to discuss an iconic (or could it be ubiquitous and lame?) piece of fall outerwear: ***The Canvas Barn Jacket*** https://preview.redd.it/isacv0e6pbrf1.png?width=3212&format=png&auto=webp&s=fc1aa8a2f54fa23289281d4fef385bb04c2e3720 Personally, I love the look of barn jackets, and I don’t believe they are ubiquitous or lame. So here in this post on r/frugalmalefashion I am going to cover the following: * Naming: Barn or Field? * Barn Jacket History * Pricing: New ($100-150) & Vintage ($50-100) * Sourcing: Vintage L.L. Bean And over on r/VintageMenswearDeals, I’ve got a barn jacket deep dive post up with a lot more info: * Styling Inspiration & Advice * Less Common / More Unique MiUSA Barn Jackets (50+ Additional Brands!) * Examples of Unique Jackets in Various Sizes (Note: For the small boys out there, the curated lists of other brands in the [deep dive post](https://www.reddit.com/r/VintageMenswearDeals/) will be especially useful. The majority of MiUSA L.L. Bean barn jackets on eBay are in size L, XL, or XXL. But you can find a good number of size S & M barn jackets in some of the less common brands, so definitely head over to r/VintageMenswearDeals if you need a smaller size.) **Naming: Barn or Field?** First, a clarification. There is no universally accepted name for this style of canvas jacket. L.L. Bean calls their version the “Original Field Coat”, while J.Crew calls their version the “1983 Heritage Barn Jacket”. And despite my L.L. Bean fandom, I actually prefer the term “barn” over “field” in this situation. Here’s why: I think “field jacket” is best reserved for military-style jackets, such as the U.S. Army’s [M-51](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M-1951_field_jacket) & [M-65](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M-1965_field_jacket) field jackets. *Military Field Jackets* * Designed as part of a functional military uniform * The outer material is typically a cotton (or cotton blend) sateen, usually in an olive or army green * The jacket collar is made of the same material as the jacket body (i.e. a non-contrasting collar) * There are typically four front pockets (two lower front, two upper chest) * The jacket closes with a full zipper (plus typically a flap on top of the zipper to block wind & rain) *American-Style Canvas Barn Jackets* * Designed for outdoor hunting and recreation * The outer material is typically a cotton canvas, most often a heavy duck canvas in tan, beige, or olive * The collar is made of a different material than the jacket body (i.e. a contrasting collar), such as a brown corduroy * There are typically three front pockets (two lower flapped pockets and a single upper breast pocket) * The interior has a light lining, typically a sewn-in cotton flannel (though in some versions the lining is made of wool, and in other versions the jacket is unlined) * The jacket closes with buttons rather than a zipper (Fun Fact: The American-style canvas barn jacket actually pre-dates [the invention of modern zippers](https://articlesofinterest.substack.com/p/new-episode-zippers)!) **Barn Jacket History** These American-style canvas barn jackets were an evolution of British hunting jackets. But there doesn’t seem to be a clear “first example” or “first invention” of the American-type, at least from a manufacturer that was putting a branded label on them. [Vintage researchers](https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/the-history-of-hunting-clothes-a-fedora-lounge-guide.84519/) do know that Duxbak was making canvas outerwear for hunters by the early 1900s, and that other brands like Drybak, Red Head, and Hettrick/American Field were also making canvas outerwear by the 1920s. But it was L.L. Bean that really popularized the American-style canvas hunting jacket. Bean’s first iteration was [introduced in 1924](https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/518788) and called the “Maine Duck Hunting Jacket”. While this initial version didn’t include the curved hand entry pockets, it already had all the practical features you’d need for bird hunting. The duck canvas was heavy, durable, and water-repellant. There was corduroy on the collar and cuffs to increase comfort. The buttonless flap pockets on the lower front kept ammunition within easy reach. And perhaps most importantly, there were “two roomy blood-proof inside compartments”, as the original catalog copy so helpfully emphasizes. https://preview.redd.it/fpjxgs7ipbrf1.png?width=518&format=png&auto=webp&s=e7a58d6fe57d088f4bfdcf3bf684cc4149424227 The modern form seems to have been finalized by 1940 as “Bean’s Sportsmans Coat”, with the name then updated in 1947 to the version we know today, “Bean’s Field Coat”. https://preview.redd.it/v544zxukpbrf1.png?width=2964&format=png&auto=webp&s=1c6578999100b80cc90783e6563bda77b50eece9 There were three main changes to these 1940s jackets that differentiate them from the earlier versions: * Curved hand-entry pockets above the lower flap pockets * Elastic loops for ammunition inside the lower flap pockets * A deep rubber-lined game pocket running around the interior bottom of the entire jacket (thus replacing the two separate inside game pockets) Earlier this year I picked up a 1950s example for \~$100 on eBay that has each of the above features: https://preview.redd.it/x8z766rnpbrf1.png?width=3212&format=png&auto=webp&s=f2b16e7ec8f01fcf7b28dd1a3c66fc780a47fafb While this 1950s version is still very much a practical bird hunting jacket, over time L.L. Bean shifted the jacket’s focus towards more general outdoor use, at some point removing the ammunition holders and the “blood-proof” pocket. The colors, materials, lining, and general fit have also continued to evolve and vary over time. For example, I have a really cool \~1980s jacket that I picked up on eBay, again for \~$100. This version is made from a herringbone twill and has a removable liner made of wool. But it has lost the ammunition loops and the inner game pocket, making it much less of a utility jacket for actual hunting and much more of a casual jacket for the general outdoors: https://preview.redd.it/ho9oivjqpbrf1.png?width=3138&format=png&auto=webp&s=64915cb889951a745ae2cbd29cd9c10e5899cde7 **Pricing: New & Vintage** If you’re buying new, the most popular barn jackets include the following: * [L.L. Bean Original](https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/18214) (MSRP $180) or [Waxed](https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/129624) (MSRP $250) * [J.Crew Classic](https://www.jcrew.com/m/mens/categories/clothing/coats-and-jackets/barn-jacket/ME680?color_name=scout-khaki&colorProductCode=BW485) (MSRP $188), [60/40 Cotton/Poly](https://www.jcrew.com/p/womens/categories/clothing/coats-and-jackets/barn-jacket/CK979) (MSRP $198 / Current Sale $140), [Linen](https://www.jcrew.com/p/mens/categories/clothing/coats-and-jackets/barn-jacket/CG732) (MSRP $198), [Waxed](https://www.jcrew.com/p/mens/categories/clothing/coats-and-jackets/barn-jacket/CB613) (MSRP $198), or [Indigo](https://www.jcrew.com/m/womens/categories/clothing/coats-and-jackets/barn-jacket/ME680?color_name=heritage-indigo&colorProductCode=CK978) (MSRP $228) * [Filson](https://www.filson.com/products/canvas-outfitter-jacket-peat) (MSRP $199) * [Lands’ End](https://www.landsend.com/products/mens-canvas-barn-jacket/id_396008) (MSRP $130 / Current Sale \~$80) And there are of course some higher end takes as well: * [Alex Mill](https://www.alexmill.com/products/frontier-jacket) (MSRP $295) * [Rogue Territory](https://stagprovisions.com/collections/rogue-territory/products/supply-jacket-cord-collar-ecru) (MSRP $348) * [Todd Snyder Long](https://www.toddsnyder.com/products/canvas-long-mohawkkhaki) (MSRP $498) or [Short](https://www.toddsnyder.com/products/flocked-short-mohawk-jacketcaramel) (MSRP $428) * [J.Crew in Italian Suede](https://www.jcrew.com/p/mens/categories/clothing/coats-and-jackets/barn-jacket/CL881) (MSRP $898) * [Anglo-Italian](https://angloitalian.com/search?q=barn) (MSRP \~$930) * [Drake’s](https://us.drakes.com/products/stone-wash-denim-field-jacket) (MSRP $1,065) If you’re willing to be patient, you should eventually be able to find the J.Crew versions for 30-40% off and the L.L. Bean versions for 15-25% off. Either way, it will still likely be a minimum of $100-125 to buy a new barn jacket of reasonable quality. But of course I wouldn’t be writing about this topic if there wasn’t good value to be found in the vintage ones! So read on for some strategies to find nice examples of vintage L.L. Bean barn jackets in the \~$50-100 range. **Sourcing: Vintage L.L. Bean Barn Jackets** So how do you find a good vintage L.L. Bean barn jacket for $50-100? As always, the first hurdle is constructing a good search on eBay. Given that there is no universally accepted name for this style of jacket, you’ll want to set up your initial searches quite broadly. I’m going to focus below on the Made in USA jackets from the 1980s and earlier, but the task will be easier if you’re okay with the more recent imported versions. Note: In the searches linked below, there will definitely be some jackets included that are the incorrect style and/or are not made in the USA. So if you are looking for a shortcut to the MiUSA ones that will cost \~$50-100, I’ve selected some nice examples and grouped them by size in the posts over at r/VintageMenswearDeals. **Search #1: Filtering for Only US-Made Jackets** * Search Terms: (ll bean, l.l. bean, llbean) (barn, field, canvas, hunting, hunter, hunt, hunters, hunter’s, chore, duck) * Category: Clothing -> Men -> Men’s Clothing -> Coats, Jackets, & Vests * Condition: Pre-Owned * Outer Shell Material: Cotton + Not Specified * Type: Jacket + Coat + Blazer + Not Specified * Brand: L.L. Bean + Not Specified * Country/Region of Manufacture: United States * Vintage: Yes + Not Specified * Price: <$150 * Show Only: Search In Description Here is a [link to the search above](https://ebay.us/pHCO7q). This search finds \~300 jackets before any additional size or color filtering. That’s about the max number I’d ever want to hunt through manually while seeking out the “good ones”. **Search #2: Including MiUSA in the Search Terms** * Search Terms: (ll bean, l.l. bean, llbean) (barn, field, canvas, hunting, hunter, hunt, hunters, hunter’s, chore, duck) (usa, miusa) * Category: Clothing -> Men -> Men’s Clothing -> Coats, Jackets, & Vests * Condition: Pre-Owned * Outer Shell Material: Cotton + Not Specified * Type: Jacket + Coat + Blazer + Not Specified * Brand: L.L. Bean + Not Specified * Country/Region of Manufacture: United States + Not Specified * Vintage: Yes + Not Specified * Price: <$150 * Show Only: Search In Description Here is a [link to this second search](https://ebay.us/2x7H3R). It finds \~150 jackets, though there’s a lot of overlap with the jackets found via Search #1. But there are enough additional jackets that it’s probably worth it to browse through both lists to find exactly the jacket that works for you. Once you’ve identified examples that work for you (these jackets run large, so always check the measurements and photos in detail!), save the good ones down to your eBay Watchlist. You can then either submit an offer for your top choice, or wait to see if the sellers make an offer on any of the ones you’ve saved. In terms of target price, I'd suggest targeting $75-100 for the best examples, $50-75 for the decent examples, and <$50 for the really trashed ones. **Additional Picks** The two searches above will very much find nice examples of vintage L.L. barn jackets that you can grab for $50-100. And if you’re looking for a shortcut to good examples that are already filtered by size, definitely check out the version of this post on r/VintageMenswearDeals where I’ve done the searching and sorting already. But for anyone interested in barn jackets that are perhaps a bit more unique and differentiated from the more common L.L. Bean ones, I’d highly recommend checking out “Deep Dive: Barn Jackets” over at r/VintageMenswearDeals. Here are some examples of the additional jackets covered in that post: https://preview.redd.it/mrw8dm2cqbrf1.png?width=3052&format=png&auto=webp&s=9d2af8a4b0e65eb465d00c95f2634aafe8e10e0d ***Deep Dive Highlights*** * Styling advice for how to pull off the barn jacket look without looking excessively dad-core or “straight out of an L.L. Bean catalog”, if that is indeed what you’re hoping to avoid * Why it might be a better/cooler decision to buy a unique/rare vintage barn jacket rather than the much more common LL Bean ones * Search examples that find other brands that sold MiUSA canvas barn jackets (there are at least 50+ brands that seem to have offered this style of jacket!) * Curated lists of cool and unique examples from other brands **Coming Soon: Vintage Pendleton Wool Shirts!** Cheers!