Barena nepenthes wool hunting jacket, made in Italy, size 48 (fits M)

For sale here is jacket from the Barena label. Barena goes back to the early 1960s, where they have produced almost exclusively in Venice and have continually pursued a traditional Italian look. It’s something equally modern and heritage, where they are carried by the likes of Mr. Porter on the one hand, and are distributed in Japan by the Nepenthes company (the same people responsible for Needles and Engineered Garments) on the other.

In this case we have a piece that falls in between a lot of categories. It is somewhere between a blazer and a jacket. This is a hunting jacket silhouette, modified somewhat to a blazer silhouette. Fabric is 100% wool coming in a medium weight, right in the middle. You can wear this as a blazer, layered under a coat if necessary, or on its own as an outerwear piece. The jacket is partially lined, where the front and shoulders are lined in cotton. Being based on a hunting jacket there are two large pocket flaps in the rear which actually open into the front lined section. The lining serves a sort of dual purpose where it can also act as large storage sections.

Front has a three button closure, pockets are buttoned and cuffs are buttoned as well. Cuffs are also functional and can be turned up. Aside from using very high quality materials, one of Barena’s strengths is the casual, unstructured nature of their construction. This is sort of thing that easily comes on and off, is timeless, and goes with pretty much everything. It is one of those pieces that just effortlessly looks good. Barena is one of those labels that has garnered a cult following, mainly in Europe and Japan, and has largely flown under the radar elsewhere. They are well worth checking out in more detail and are highly underrated given the level of quality they operate at. These jackets retail at about $700, but get it here much more reasonably.

Size is labeled a 48, working well for a standard medium. I measure the chest at 21”, shoulders at 18”, length at 29” in front and 27.5” in back, and sleeves at 24” from the shoulder. The jacket comes in lightly used, very good shape with no holes, tears or stains. The middle button has become a bit loose, but otherwise no problems. Made in Italy.

Shipping from Japan to anywhere will be $30.