Identification of River Phoenix's red barn jacket from My Own Private Idaho.

joelartwork

joelartwork

Registered Guest
After years of on and off searching, I thought it would be worth asking around to see if anybody could help identify the dusty red barn jacket sported by Phoenix in the 90's classic My Own Private Idaho. I noticed the screen used one sold a decade ago but there is no such information regarding the brand on the auction house site unfortunately. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Take is easy!
 

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Rue_de_la_Paix said:
Carhartts referred to these as chore jackets, and the fabric is often called "duck". They did make them in this faded orange-red color. I recall in the 1990s that certain hipsters (at least in the NY area and grunge in Seattle) wore Carhartt clothing as a fashion trend, both jackets and all-in-ones/coveralls. Still popular of course.
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Thanks for the information! I know the ones. mind you I've had no joy seeing one sport the same colour as the one Phoenix wore? Could well be a less popular version maybe as they do bare similarities, that's for sure!
 
I wore several different colors of barn jacket in the 1990s/2000s, I loved them and still have a few!

Re: the J. Crew jacket I mentioned earlier, it did come in a color that seems similar to the one you are searching for, they currently call it "Rock Red".
Every brand seems to have their own way of styling the pockets.
THIS ONE (still slightly different than the Phoenix jacket) is currently available on eBay:

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I found a photo of an earlier J. Crew red barn jacket that has the corduroy down the inner front placket, but there are still differences from yours:

CriPcRamRO2nMh5Kjp5d
 
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The Vintage Vendeuse said:
I wore several different colors of barn jacket in the 1990s/2000s, I loved them and still have a few!

Re: the J. Crew jacket I mentioned earlier, it did come in a color that seems similar to the one you are searching for, they currently call it "Rock Red".
Every brand seems to have their own way of styling the pockets.
THIS ONE (still slightly different than the Phoenix jacket) is currently available on eBay:

s-l1600.jpg




I found a photo of an earlier J. Crew red barn jacket that has the corduroy down the inner front placket, but there are still differences from yours:

CriPcRamRO2nMh5Kjp5d
Click to expand...

Oh nice! Yeah, you're probably right to be honest regarding it being one of theirs, all be it an older model of course, more especially seeing they still do a colour so similar! Thanks for the information on it, it's greatly appreciated!
 
Just thought I would bump this my little droogies to see if any fresh faces possibly have anymore information regarding the jacket. freezing cold emoti
 
joelartwork said:
Just thought I would bump this my little droogies to see if any fresh faces possibly have anymore information regarding the jacket. freezing cold emoti
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Hi,

I’ve just joined the forum as I was searching for information on this jacket too for many years and have an answer for you. It’s a reversible Drybak hunting jacket from around 1920-50. If you google it you’ll come up with some images plus there is one on Etsy right now but it’s an XL and I’m not great condition. I’ve been looking for around 20 years on and off for this jacket. It took a lot of hunting to even figure out the brand, I thought it was a duxbak or safTbak or a redhead hunting jacket for awhile. But it’s definitely a Drybak.
I’ve literally just managed to buy one off eBay last week in my size and it’s NOS so really great condition. I’ll let you know if the 20 years of searching was worth it when I have it! Good luck and hope you find one
 
Here’s some images of the one I just bought and River in his.
Note the tan underarm when wearing it red side out:
 

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Jon (the jacket obsessed) said:
Hi,

I’ve just joined the forum as I was searching for information on this jacket too for many years and have an answer for you. It’s a reversible Drybak hunting jacket from around 1920-50. If you google it you’ll come up with some images plus there is one on Etsy right now but it’s an XL and I’m not great condition. I’ve been looking for around 20 years on and off for this jacket. It took a lot of hunting to even figure out the brand, I thought it was a duxbak or safTbak or a redhead hunting jacket for awhile. But it’s definitely a Drybak.
I’ve literally just managed to buy one off eBay last week in my size and it’s NOS so really great condition. I’ll let you know if the 20 years of searching was worth it when I have it! Good luck and hope you find one
Click to expand...

I also JUST figured this out finally! Maybe from you on Instagram? I bought the one on Etsy because I was so excited, but it isn't quite the same as the one in the film. The one you found is incredible! Congratulations! I will probably resell mine and continue hunting, or see if I can alter and restore it a bit.

Next question is: what is the blue cord, sherpa lined Jacket Mike wears in the opening monolouge?
 
Looks like a 1940s or 1950s duck canvas waxed hunting jacket by Duxbak (as Jon mentioned). Duxbak is one maker -- there are many different makers and similar styles. I have even seen one from the 1950s made by Sears and you can find those by looking up JC Higgins. J.Barbour & Sons is the still around and have made those waxed styles for years. Bushmaster is another maker. Ones with corduroy at the shoulder are also cool. They are usually more of the light brown variety (think that Carhartt color), but that doesn't mean they didn't make that color at that time (or that it might have been dyed or been rewaxed incorrectly to get that redish color).
Waxing canvas has been done since the mid-1500's for sailors to stay dry and became common in the 193os in clothing making.
 
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