For as long as I can remember, the barn jacket has been one of those pieces that belonged to very specific groups of people: East Coasters, outdoorsy types, and those who lived and breathed Ralph Lauren. It was a fall essential for people spending their weekends at Ivy League football games and those who grew up somewhere with actual foliage, but outside of that bubble, it didn't exactly have a fashion-industry moment. I always associated it with crisp mornings, muddy boots, and the kind of timeless practicality that rarely makes it into trend cycles.
Yet here we are. In just a couple of seasons, the barn jacket has gone from a rural Connecticut staple to a global street style favorite. Fashion insiders everywhere have taken this no-frills outerwear classic and made it their own, whether they're pairing it with fitted jeans in New York or cozy separates in L.A. Seeing it styled in all these different ways has made me completely rethink the item, and I have a feeling I'm not alone. Ahead, take a closer look at how people in every major style city are wearing the barn jacket and how you can too, no matter your zip code.
The New York take is all about polish and ease. Think perfectly worn-in denim, a structured handbag, and that effortless "I just threw this on" energy that's actually very intentional. The barn jacket slots right into the city's love of elevated basics.
Women in Copenhagen know how to put a unique twist on something everyone is wearing, and this look is no exception. A sheer sequin skirt makes the barn jacket a grandfather once wore daily feel like an It-girl essential.
In Paris, the barn jacket goes chic and elevated. Styled with suede boots and a miniskirt, it's a study in contrasts—utilitarian meets flirtatious in that oh-so-Parisian way.
In London, it leans classic with a twist. Paired with knee-high boots, the barn jacket taps into that distinctly British countryside aesthetic that we're all after—something Burberry would approve of.
Leave it to L.A. to make the barn jacket feel light, playful, and somewhat cozy. Styling it over cotton poplin shorts and pairing it with fun socks gives it a laid-back, almost collegiate vibe—proof that outerwear can work even when the forecast says sunny and 75°.
