1990s | Barbour | A297 | pile liner | C42 / 107cm | 3 warranties | vintage

1990s Barbour A297 Pile Liner (C42 / 107cm)
Vintage Original – Wearable as a Stand-Alone Vest

This is an authentic 1990s Barbour A297 pile liner, made in England and originally designed as an inner lining for classic Barbour wax jackets. Today, pieces like this have become highly sought after not only as liners but as uniquely textured outer vests, thanks to their warm pile face and rugged British heritage. The example here is the C42 / 107cm size, offering a versatile fit that works beautifully worn over sweatshirts, knits, and flannels.

A Brief History of the A297 Liner

Barbour introduced removable pile liners to give their wax jackets year-round functionality. By the 1990s, the A297 liner had become one of Barbour’s most iconic modular components. It uses a synthetic pile modeled after mid-century shearling, designed for durability, insulation, and reliability in the damp British climate. Because it was built for harsh field use, the construction is far sturdier than modern fashion vests.

As trends shifted, the liner’s textured pile became a signature look in itself. Japanese vintage shops, European collectors, and British countryside enthusiasts began wearing the pile side outward, transforming the liner into a standalone garment with a distinct silhouette and a rustic, understated charm. The model photo you provided reflects exactly this modern, repurposed styling.

This piece features the characteristic caramel-brown pile interior, which doubles as the external face when worn reversed. When styled pile-side out, the vest takes on the appearance of a 1970s shearling hunting vest — warm, tactile, and visually unique.

The C42 / 107cm size corresponds well to a modern L-XL depending on layering preference.

Barbour’s 1990s liners have become collectible in their own right. They represent a rare intersection of British outdoor utility, countryside heritage, and contemporary fashion reinterpretation. Because they were never produced as standalone garments, each piece carries a sense of authenticity and subtle storytelling. Wearing it pile-out instantly creates a distinctive silhouette — relaxed, vintage, and effortlessly functional.

For stylists, it is an endlessly versatile layering piece that elevates even simple outfits.
For outdoor users, it retains the original purpose: dependable warmth with minimal weight.

Fits like an XL on a 180cm 73kg frame you can throw this over a Reverse Weave and a Ralph Lauren waxed cotton jacket with zero struggle the layering still feels clean and natural

Note : Signs of wear, some dirt spots present but pile side is very beautiful. The model wears a different vest(but the same model), it is just an image.