The iconic photo of Steve McQueen on a cafe racer wearing the Barbour waxed jacket is one that should be thumb tacked onto every young boy’s wall. It’s the definition of the word that gets tossed out of every man’s mouth at least five times a day—cool. Wearing a waxed canvas jacket is like brewing the perfect cup of coffee, it’s an old fashioned, a Triumph, it’s badass and every single onlooker in the vicinity knows it. They want what you’re drinking, what you’re wearing, to live a moment in the leather boots of a man who can effortlessly look so damn debonair. Timeless with no thrills, but made for thrill-seekers who grip a steering wheel like a stress ball knowing that in the car they’re driving, fast is the only option. Below is our CYTIES shortlist of five waxed canvas jackets that will instantly add style points to any wardrobe.
THE LONG HAUL JACKET
Rest assured, if you enter the elements this winter alongside Taylor Stitch, you’ll cut through the cold like a hot knife through butter. The Long Haul Jacket is a fan favorite from their line of extremely well-constructed outwear jackets. The heavy-duty material of the coat has been waterproofed and waxed by Halley Stevensons, who happens to be the leading expert in waxing and weatherproofing fabrics since 1864. With a classic trucker jacket silhouette, it offers a unique texture that will age gracefully. Did we mention all the material is 100% organic? With the Long Haul Jacket, you can assist in saving the planet while you fend off mother nature.
TIN CLOTH SHORT LINED CRUISER
Perhaps the MVP of this group, the Short Lined Cruiser from Filson is a jacket created for any kind of frigid, wet, weather. Built and tested in the rain-drenched Pacific Northwest, it’s constructed of 15-oz oil-finished Tin Cloth, the same material that is relied on by loggers in the deep mist of the Cascades. The magic occurs with Filson’s’ recipe of resilience; tightly woven duck fabric, liquified with paraffin wax and oil under high pressure and heat, sending the wax into the core of the all-natural cotton fibers. The Short Lined Cruiser resists tears, water, and heavy-duty snow. If Thors Hammer was made into a jacket, this is it.
EIGER WX
A long and respected history of Scottish waxed canvas traditions come together to form Mission Workshops Eiger WX. The jacket holds the profile of an M65 parka, and the 280g/m2 outer shell fabric is not only durable but water-resistant. The Eiger is lined with a soft quick-drying adjustable hood and has a pleasant amount of cargo stash pocket room. Usually, waxed coats run along the same lines of a boxy structure, Mission Workshop and its attention to detail changed that as the Eiger collectively checks every box for a stealthy, crisp, clean fit. This is a jacket that will stand the test of time, and never go out of style.
WOOL-LINED WAXED TRUCKER JACKET
The Waxed Canvas Jacket by Flint and Tinder will store your memories in its creases and color. Every cold-weather season, marked into the jacket like a tattoo. While a white tee shirt may get tossed out after it loses its spark, this timeless coat only gains strength after every wear. The shell uses waxed, weather-resistant Martexin 8.25 oz shelter cloth from New Jersey and is waxed on both sides for warmth and insulation. The interior body is fully lined with recycled Japanese wool blanket cloth. Go out there and get a little wild.
4-SEASON CABIN JACKET
Made right here in the USA, this 10oz waxed canvas jacket in tan is made to order. All the best things come in time, so hold your horses; it’ll be on your doorstep in two weeks. Fashioned with antique brass button shanks, the 4-season Cabin Jacket is made for a certain type of fella. If you’re last in line to chop wood for the fire, this one might not be for you. However, if you get a twinkle in your eye when the hood of a car pops open, know how to swing an ax, and will always pick bourbon over wine, this one here, this one’s got your name on it, hombre.
EDITOR'S TIPS
The origins of Wax Canvas date back to the 15th century when Scottish sailors of the North sea would coat their sails with fish oils.
Decades later, the old flax-based sail cloths were replaced with lighter cotton-based sails, and instead of fish oil, sailors started using linseed oil which made for faster vessels.
In the 1920s, three companies came up with a paraffin-based wax, which quickly became the new standard for commercially waxed fabrics.
Today, an item made from waxed canvas can be passed on for generations to come, passing the test of time, and always staying in style.