Icons: Barbour

When it rains in England, it really rains. It pours for days, sometimes weeks. Barbour has your back. The dark damp mornings and drawn out nights call for some extra protection. Whether you’re beating the briars or attacking the curves on your vintage Triumph, your Barbour is your go to companion. It has your back. Literally.

Barbour was founded in 1894 as an importer of oil-cloth by John Barbour and his sons in South Shields, North England. They set to work providing oilskin workwear for the fishermen and dockworkers of the North East and beyond. By 1917, Barbour’s mail order service accounted for almost 75% of their business - drawing in customers from as far away as Chile, South Africa and Hong Kong. 

In 1937, Duncan Barbour, John’s Grandson developed a range of protective motorcycle wear that would become the legendary Barbour international line, worn by every British International Team until 1977. With the arrival of World War Two, Duncan Barbour was sent to war and things at Barbour began to pick up pace as submarine commander Captain George Phillips helps to design and produce the Ursula Suit. A two piece weatherproof suit which became standard issue to the Submarine Service. 

In the post war years, The Barbour International suit was unstoppable - 97% of all competitors who took part in the 1957 Scottish 6 Day Event rode in Barbour International Oiled Cotton suits. Steve McQueen rode in his International Jacket for team USA and this connection would later spawn a McQueen inspired collection for Barbour.

In 1980 Barbour produced the first lightweight thornproof riding jacket - The Bedale. This was a revelation, its shorter cut made it ideal for equestrian pursuits. It was an instant classic. Two years later, war reared its ugly head again and Barbour stepped into the breach once more by customising their Durham and Gamefair jackets for the British Forces operating in defence of the Falkland islands. 

In 1983 Margret Barbour followed up the Bedale with the iconic Beaufort. This is what many consider to be 'the' Barbour. With a longer cut than the Bedale with a rear game pocket and dressed in thornproof wax - it was an instant success.

Barbours are built to take a beating and they look better when they’re broken in. They’re built to last and many owners wear their jackets into the ground. The beauty of Barbour’s customer service department is that they can breathe life back into your jacket whatever it’s condition. They repair zips, they re-sew seams, they patch up rips and they re-wax and refinish. 

They have come a long way since 1894 but they have never forgotten their roots. Their headquarters and factory still sits on Simonside in South Shields. They still make their classic waxed jackets there; to the same exacting standards that their customers have come to expect over the years. Barbour is a British institution, holding three Royal Warrants and an unbreakable reputation.

A Barbour waxed jacket is a constant companion, it goes anywhere you do. Over mountain and through valley, whatever the weather. A well worn and well loved Barbour tells a story. Buy yours now and start breaking it in, it should be just right in about 10 years.

www.barbour.com
Pictured: The Barbour 'Ashby' wax and 'Neander International' Jackets.