The story of Barbour Clothing began in the late 1800s when John Barbour became a traveling draper, settling in
The protective oilskin clothing business expanded supplying to the agricultural market and his first Barbour catalogue was produced in 1908. By 1917 Barbour had become international and began its renowned and ever important Barbour customer service. The Barbour company flourished during the First World War and survived the Great Depression to furnish the submariners with weatherproof outdoor clothing in the Second World War, to create its motorcycling Oiled Cotton range which was worn until the 1970s.
After 63 years of being a retailer, Barbour became manufacturers and marketeers with its move to bigger premises. The family suffered a series of tragic years losing key family members and the business became managed by the ladies of the Barbour family. New manufacturing and operational systems were introduced providing increased productivity and sales of Barbour clothing focusing on countrywear.
Barbour’s first Royal Warrant by the Duke of Edinburgh was received in 1974 and many “classic” styles were born, this was soon followed by Royal Warrants by Her Majesty the Queen and HRH the Prince of Wales.
In the late 1980s The Barbour Trust was set up and now supports local, national and international communities in areas such as welfare and homelessness and in times of hardship and disasters.
The Barbour clothing expanded internationally attaining three Queens Awards for Export Achievement and expanded its range keeping up with the modern technological advances creating breathable waterproofs, new colour ranges and technically advanced and stylish shooting and country wear including trousers and knitwear. In 2005, the
