Part of BSTN’s Holiday 2025 Gift Guide, a hand-picked curation of some of the finest selections, staff-favorites, and proven all-time classics from BSTN’s premium product portfolio.
Founded in 1894 in the coastal town of South Shields, England, Barbour was born out of necessity: to protect seafarers, dockworkers, and fishermen from the unforgiving elements of the North Sea. John Barbour, a Scottish draper, recognized the demand for durable, weatherproof garments and established a family business that would come to define the very idea of British outerwear.
The cornerstone of Barbour’s success was its waxed cotton – lightweight yet water-resistant, an alternative to heavy oilskins that quickly became synonymous with the brand. By the early 20th century, Barbour’s jackets were being supplied to the British military, embedding the label’s reputation for resilience and reliability.
The waxed cotton treatment not only kept garments weatherproof but also extended their lifespan – a functional detail that turned each jacket into a long-term companion. Over time, the fabric develops a shabby patina, lending every piece a charmingly dishevelled character that reflects its wearer’s journeys.
Traditionally, Barbour was synonymous with the British upper classes – a horsey, hunting staple on par with Land Rovers and Hunter wellington boots — but its rugged functionality also made it a favorite among British motorcyclists, with the likes of Steve McQueen helping to cement its reputation for authentic, hard-wearing style. Today, Barbour stands as a high-end, family-owned company whose practicality and understated cool resonate just as strongly with urban streetwear culture, where durability and timelessness remain essential.
Among the brand’s icons, the Bedale and Beaufort jackets stand tall. Introduced in the 1980s, the thornproof Bedale offered a shorter, equestrian-friendly cut, while the Beaufort struck a balance with its versatile length and hunting-inspired details, like the rear game pocket. Together, they set the blueprint for what a wax jacket should be: corduroy collar, snap-close storm flap, two-way zipper, and generously sized patch pockets – equal parts utility and understated elegance.
For example, a total of 160 individual parts make up a single Bedale jacket, each assembled by hand in Barbour’s South Shields factory – where 36 skilled craftspeople and three Royal Warrants from the British royal family testify to a century-old commitment to quality.
From the fields to the racetracks to the city streets, Barbour’s waxed jackets have continued to evolve – seamlessly crossing style tribes and generations. Beloved by Ivy League traditionalists, embraced by Britpop bands in the ’90s, and later reimagined through collaborations with the likes of Supreme, Noah, A Bathing Ape, and yours truly, Barbour’s legacy bridges heritage and reinvention like few others can.
Today, the brand is more than just outerwear. It’s a global emblem of utility, craft, and understated cool. Whether worn in the countryside with muddy boots or in the city matched with a sweater and sneakers, a Barbour jacket carries the same message it has for over a century: built for the elements, built to last, built to live in.
