The Story of Barbour: From Farmers and Fisherman to an iconic fashion brand.

From oilskins made for sailors on the North East coast to waxed jackets worn around the world, Barbour's history helps explain why the brand still feels different from many modern clothing labels. Founded in South Shields in 1894, J Barbour & Sons remains a fifth-generation family-owned business, with some of its most famous waxed jackets still made by hand in the town where the story began.

1894: Barbour Begins in South Shields

The Barbour story began in 1894 when Scotsman John Barbour established his business in the Market Place in South Shields, in the North East of England.

The original customers were very different from many of the people who wear Barbour today. South Shields was a busy coastal and maritime community, and John Barbour supplied oilskins and other hard-wearing garments intended to protect sailors, fishermen and mariners from difficult British weather.

That practical starting point is important because functionality was not something added to Barbour later as a marketing idea. Protection from the elements was the reason the business existed in the first place.

1908: The Barbour Catalogue Takes the Brand Overseas

Barbour's reach expanded significantly under the second generation of the family. In 1908, Malcolm Barbour produced the company's first mail-order catalogue.

The catalogue transformed what had been a North East business into one with an international customer base. By 1917, mail order accounted for almost three quarters of Barbour's business, with orders arriving from destinations including Chile, South Africa, Hong Kong and the Falkland Islands.

Long before online shopping, Barbour had discovered a way to sell its practical British clothing well beyond the people who could visit the shop in South Shields.

1936: Barbour International and the Motorcycling Years

One of the most important chapters in Barbour's history began in 1936. Duncan Barbour, the third generation of the family and a keen motorcyclist, introduced a one-piece motorcycling suit named after the International Six Day Trials.

The Barbour International quickly became closely associated with competitive motorcycling. Barbour International suits were worn by British international motorcycle teams for decades, building an identity that was tougher and more sporting than the countrywear image many customers now associate with the main Barbour brand.

The motorcycling connection produced one of the best-known moments in Barbour history in 1964, when actor and racer Steve McQueen and the United States team wore Barbour Internationals while competing in the International Six Day Trials in East Germany.

1940: The Ursula Suit and the Second World War

Barbour's experience making protective clothing also proved valuable during the Second World War.

In 1940, at the request of Captain George Philips, commander of the submarine HMS Ursula, Barbour developed a two-piece version of its International suit. Designed to provide warmth and weather protection in demanding conditions, the resulting Ursula suit became standard issue for the Submarine Service.

The episode is a useful reminder of how closely Barbour's history is tied to garments designed for a purpose. Long before wax jackets became lifestyle clothing, the company was applying its knowledge of protective outerwear in environments where performance genuinely mattered.

1968–1973: Dame Margaret Barbour Takes the Helm

A defining moment in the modern history of the company came in 1968 when John Barbour, the fourth generation of the family, died suddenly. He left behind his wife Margaret and their young daughter Helen.

Margaret Barbour joined the Board of Directors and became Chairman in 1973. Under her leadership, the business increasingly developed the countrywear identity that would make Barbour internationally recognisable.

Her influence extends far beyond the management of the company. Dame Margaret was directly responsible for designing some of the jackets that now define Barbour.

The 1980s: The Jackets That Defined Modern Barbour

The 1980s were particularly important for Barbour. This was the decade in which the Bedale, Border and Beaufort established the template for the traditional waxed jackets that remain central to the brand.

The Barbour Bedale – 1980

Designed by Margaret Barbour and introduced in 1980, the Bedale was originally created for equestrian use. Its relatively short length made it practical when riding, while generous proportions allowed freedom of movement and layering.

Those same qualities help explain why the Barbour Bedale Waxed Jacket has moved so successfully beyond its original purpose. It remains a practical country jacket but also works naturally as everyday outerwear.

The Move to Simonside – 1981

In 1981, Barbour moved into a new factory at Simonside in South Shields. The company's headquarters remain there today.

The site is more than an administrative base. Barbour continues to manufacture its iconic Bedale and Beaufort wax jackets by hand at Simonside, while its customer-service teams also carry out re-waxing, repairs and Re-Loved work there.

The Barbour Beaufort – 1983

The Beaufort followed in 1983. Also designed by Margaret Barbour, it was originally conceived for country pursuits and drew inspiration from French shooting jackets.

Longer than the Bedale and equipped with its distinctive full-width rear pocket, the Beaufort became one of the defining Barbour designs of the decade. Today, the Barbour Classic Beaufort remains one of the clearest expressions of traditional Barbour wax-jacket styling.

The Barbour Border

The longer Border was also designed during the early 1980s. Its generous cut, longer body and extended sleeves made it particularly useful for taller wearers and for layering over smarter clothing.

Together, the Bedale, Beaufort and Border helped turn Barbour from a specialist countrywear company into a name recognised far beyond its original rural audience.

Royal Warrants and Growing Recognition

Barbour received its first Royal Warrant in 1974 from HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. A second followed from HM The Queen in 1982, and a third from HRH The Prince of Wales in 1987.

In May 2024, Barbour was granted a Royal Warrant of Appointment to HM The King as manufacturers of outerwear, clothing, footwear and accessories.

Royal Warrants form only one part of the company's history, but they reflect Barbour's long association with British country life and its reputation for functional outerwear.

The Barbour Foundation and Dame Margaret Barbour

Dame Margaret Barbour established The Barbour Trust in 1988. Now known as The Barbour Foundation, it supports charities and good causes, particularly in the North East of England, as well as research into chronic illness.

Dame Margaret was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1991 for services to industry and became a Dame Commander in the 2001 New Year Honours.

The Foundation has since donated millions of pounds to community and charitable causes, maintaining a strong connection between the company and the region where Barbour was founded.

1998: Barbour Creates Its Own Tartan

Another familiar part of the modern Barbour identity arrived in 1998 when Margaret and Helen Barbour worked with tartan specialists Kinloch Anderson to introduce the company's first exclusive tartan.

Barbour Classic Tartan was based on the Ayrshire District tartan sett, reflecting the Scottish origins of the Barbour family. Its greens, blues and earthy tones have since become closely associated with Barbour linings and accessories.

From Countrywear to a Modern Lifestyle Brand

Barbour has gradually expanded far beyond wax jackets. Its collections now include quilted outerwear, knitwear, shirts, dresses, footwear, bags and accessories for men, women and children, as well as products for dogs.

At the same time, the company has continued to protect the elements that make its heritage meaningful. The headquarters remain in South Shields, the business remains family owned, and some of its most important jackets are still manufactured by hand in the North East.

The company has also developed services intended to extend the useful life of its products. Barbour Re-Loved was introduced in 2019, followed by the wider Wax for Life programme in 2020, bringing together services such as re-waxing, repairs and jacket restoration.

This combination of old and new is central to Barbour today. The brand can produce contemporary collections and collaborations while still supporting customers who have owned the same wax jacket for many years.

Barbour Today

More than 130 years after John Barbour opened his business in South Shields, J Barbour & Sons remains a fifth-generation family-owned company based in the North East of England.

Barbour is now sold in more than 55 countries across the UK, Europe, the United States, Asia and other international markets. Yet the connection to South Shields remains unusually strong for a brand with such global recognition.

The Simonside headquarters is still home to Barbour's factory, where the Bedale and Beaufort continue to be made by hand and where waxed jackets return to be re-waxed, repaired and given another lease of life.

Barbour History at a Glance

For a quick overview, these are some of the milestones that most clearly shaped the Barbour brand we know today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Barbour

From South Shields to the Modern Barbour

Barbour has changed enormously since 1894, but the thread running through its history is surprisingly consistent. The company began by making practical garments for people working in demanding weather, developed specialist clothing for motorcycling and military use, and later translated that functional approach into the country jackets that became British classics.

Today, Barbour may be worn in very different settings from those John Barbour originally served, but designs such as the Bedale and Beaufort still demonstrate why the brand has endured: useful details, distinctive materials and a willingness to make products that can be worn, maintained and kept for years.