Barbour — The Original British Waxed Jacket
Founded in 1894 in South Shields, Tyne and Wear, J. Barbour & Sons has spent over a century building a single quiet reputation: the most reliable waxed cotton jacket in the world. Three Royal Warrants — held under HM Queen Elizabeth II, HRH The Prince of Wales, and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh — speak to a heritage that has outfitted the British countryside, the armed forces, and three generations of riders, shooters, and gardeners. English Brands is a Barbour stockist with the full current collection in jackets, quilted coats, knitwear, country accessories, and the care products that keep them lasting decades.
What we stock
Barbour's collection at English Brands covers the full range that matters:
- Waxed jackets — the Bedale (since 1980), Beaufort, Ashby, Border, Bristol, Hartlington, Corbridge, Sapper, and the contemporary New Utility and SL slim-fit cuts
- Quilted jackets and gilets — Liddesdale, Powell, Chelsea Sportquilt, Flyweight Chelsea, and the women's Belsay, Beadnell, and Liddesdale
- Country knitwear — Patch Half Zip lambswool, Tyne zip-neck sweaters
- Shirts — Lidcutt and Buddon checked shirts in heritage colours
- Bags and luggage — Tarras crossbody, Longthorpe laptop bag, Houghton backpack, Wax and Leather briefcase, Travel Explorer
- Headwear and gloves — Wax Sports caps, Trapper hats, Cascade sports caps, Burnished Thinsulate gloves
- Country accessories — tartan scarves, Sylkoil Hoods, zip-in liners (quilted, fleece, Polarquilt)
- Care essentials — Thornproof Wax Dressing in 200ml and 400ml tins for at-home reproofing
Why Barbour
Sylkoil waxed cotton — Barbour's signature 6oz mediumweight cotton, dry-handle finished with their proprietary wax formulation. It develops a unique patina with use, becomes more individual to its owner each year, and offers proven weatherproofing maintainable indefinitely with annual reproofing.
Classic Tartan lining — the pure cotton tartan that signals a real Barbour from the moment the jacket opens. Heritage detail, not decoration.
Designed to last a lifetime — Barbour's repair and reproofing service in South Shields will service any Barbour jacket, regardless of age. Customers regularly send jackets in their thirtieth and fortieth years for refurbishment rather than replacement. Few clothing brands are built this way.
Made for the British climate — every detail, from corduroy collar to studded storm fly, was designed for a country that rains. Other premium outerwear claims weather performance. Barbour was created for it.
Caring for your Barbour
Waxed cotton needs nothing more complicated than the following:
- Sponge clean with cold water for everyday marks and mud — never machine wash, dry clean, or tumble dry. Each of these strips the wax.
- Reproof annually, or whenever water stops beading on the surface. Apply Barbour Thornproof Wax Dressing with a clean cloth, working it into seams and high-wear areas, then warm with a hairdryer to help absorption. Allow 24 hours to dry naturally on a broad-shouldered hanger.
- Store on a broad-shouldered hanger in a cool, dry place. Never fold a waxed jacket — the wax cracks at creases.
- Spot-treat with wax where needed throughout the season for areas of heavy wear.
Quilted Barbours need less attention — most can be wiped clean with a damp cloth and air-dried. Specific care varies by model; check the inside label.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Barbour jackets waterproof? Barbour waxed cotton offers excellent water resistance — water beads off the surface and the jacket sheds rain effectively in light to moderate conditions. For sustained heavy downpours, a Barbour with a zip-in liner adds an additional barrier. The waxed cotton is genuinely weatherproof in the British country sense, rather than technically "waterproof" as a sealed shell would be.
Where are Barbour jackets made? Many Barbour waxed jackets — including the heritage Bedale, Beaufort, and Border — are still made at Barbour's factory in South Shields, Tyne and Wear. Some accessories and newer ranges are produced overseas. The factory also runs Barbour's official repair and reproofing service for the lifetime of every jacket.
How often should I reproof my Barbour? Once a year is the standard recommendation for a jacket worn regularly. Jackets worn daily in wet conditions may need reproofing twice a year. Jackets worn occasionally may go two years between reproofings. The test is simple: when water stops beading on the surface, it's time.
What size Barbour should I buy? Barbour jackets are designed to fit over layers. Most customers find their usual size works well over a shirt or light jumper. If you plan to wear thick knitwear underneath, consider sizing up. Each Barbour model has a slightly different cut — the SL versions are slimmer; the Classic Bedale and Border are generous; the Ashby sits between the two. Refer to chest measurements on the individual product pages.
