Up Close and Personalised: Jean Ward
Interview: Will Cotterill (Owner of Millennial Vintage) & Josh Harford
Stills: Morgan Barfield @morganbarfield
Model: Josh Harford
We often talk about statements, but sometimes the most impactful ones are made in the smallest details. Badges whether political, playful, or proudly mundane - once carried a weight of nostalgia. In the case of Jean Ward, they carried enough to turn a simple chore jacket into a five-kilo time capsule.
Q (Will, Millennial Vintage): So Josh, I’m really happy you’ve given me the opportunity to put this jacket on display in the showroom. It feels like a real statement on British culture. What was your first impression when you came across it?
A (Josh, Collector): I’m obsessed with history, anything with a story behind it, I want to know more. I found this on Vinted, where it was just listed as a “badge jacket.” Most people would scroll past, but as soon as I saw it, I knew I had to buy it, whatever the price. The amount of detail and character is incredible. I wanted to know how it ended up like this, and why I was able to get it now.
Q: What did you find out about its background?
A: It belonged to a woman’s relative called Jean Ward - that’s stitched into one of the badges on the back. From what I gathered, collecting was like second nature to her. Over her lifetime she turned this jacket into her collection point, sticking on every badge she came across. From the 1970s onwards, she just kept adding.
Q: And what did you learn about Jean herself?
A: She was from Holmfirth, near Huddersfield. She loved charity shops, car boot sales, and going to different events. Judging by the number of badges, she must have gone to loads.
Q: How does it feel to actually hold or wear the jacket?
A: Honestly, it feels like putting on a piece of history. You look at things like the Jaffa Cake badge or the Monster Raving Looney Party badge, and you’re instantly taken back in time. As soon as you put it on, it kind of takes over you.
Q: How heavy is it?
A: At least five kilos, probably more. It’s really heavy.
Q: Out of all the badges, is there one that stands out to you?
A: The Mark Bolan one makes me laugh. People always say I look like him, so seeing that felt like a weird coincidence.
Q: Does the jacket remind you of anything you used to collect?
A: Yeah, as a kid I’d collect little figures or random bits from shops. I think that’s why I was drawn to this. I’ve always loved things with badges and character.
Q: Do you think decoration and customisation are a big part of fashion and how you dress?
A: I don’t see much of it in current fashion, but I do in my own style. I like to add small touches - a brooch, a neckerchief, a hand tie. It’s about adding character. I think fashion is shifting, though. Even kids customize their Crocs with widgets now. People want to be different. For too long everyone followed the same formula, but now there’s a gradual move towards self-expression.
Q: That ties back to the jacket itself, doesn’t it?
A: Exactly. The spirit of this jacket feels lost in time. Companies don’t hand out fun badges anymore like Quavers or Jaffa Cakes. You don’t see milkmen giving away badges. But I’ve noticed a revival: people online are making their own badges and stickers again, because there’s still that urge to decorate and make things personal.
Q: Finally, what kind of statement do you think this jacket makes? Is it fashion, protest, or personal memorabilia?
A: At first I thought it was purely personal. But looking at the political badges makes me wonder if Jean wore them to events and then sewed them in to show pride. Maybe it’s both - political and personal. Either way, you can tell she bloody loved badges and loved what they represented.
