The Myth of Barbour

The Barbour brand was born in England in 1894 as J. Barbour & Sons, Tailors and Drapers, manufacturers of waterproof coats and jackets designed for fishermen, sailors and also hunters.

It is no coincidence that one of the first slogans was “the best clothing for the worst weather”. In a very short time it became the most loved jacket by horsewomen, motorcyclists and English nobles during hunting trips and especially by the British royal family during rare moments off duty.

In 1974 it received its first Royal Warrant and today it has three: one from the Duke of Edinburgh, one from the Queen and one from Prince (now King) Charles. In short, the British crown guarantees the quality of this product and includes it among the suppliers of the royal house and in fact it is no coincidence that it is the royal family, protagonist of the famous television series "The Crown", that brings back the iconic garment and makes it pop and contemporary.

The TV series, which retraces the events and history of the English Royal Family, has reached its fourth season and is also having an impact on the world of fashion. It has in fact brought the Barbour back into the limelight, the traditional waxed hunting jacket that has always been loved by the Royals and made even more popular by Lady Diana in the 1980s. Lady D's character is the protagonist of this latest season: in the series, Diana Spencer is played by twenty-five-year-old Emma Corrin, and she finds herself wearing the Barbour on several "real life" occasions in the countryside.

2020 marked the return of the Barbour, the waxed jacket symbol of the English aristocracy. But what is the history of the Barbour? What are the most iconic models? How do you wear it?

In 1982, when the real Diana Spencer was photographed on a moor wearing a hooded Bedale model, the quintessential Barbour, the historic company experienced exponential growth in sales. The hunting jacket has never been missing from the wardrobes of the British monarchy: Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip have always worn it too.

Even the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton has recently shown off the clothes of the English clothing company: on formal occasions and in contact with nature, she has often been seen wearing a Barbour jacket. The British press has often compared the figure of Kate Middleton to that of Lady Diana, for her ability to stand out in style and dictate fashions and trends.

Emma Corrin and E Tobias Menzies in The Crown – photo Sophie Mutevelian/Netflix

In general, the Barbour jacket is considered an iconic piece of British style, and other beloved English public figures, such as three-time Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis, often wear it. The first products to be marketed were precisely the waterproof jackets. Thanks to the push of "The Crown", recently on various online sales sites, including used products, there has been an increase in ads from those looking for or who have found the old garment in the attic.

The company has celebrated its 125th anniversary. An important milestone for a business born in the markets of South Shields, in the North East of England. Three centuries later, Margaret Barbour still leads the company, together with her daughter Helen, in a mix of tradition and contemporaneity that knows no age!