Exploring the Appeal of Barbour, the British-Born Oiled Jacket

If there's one jacket worth having for a lifetime, it's the oiled jacket from Barbour. Long cherished within the UK, Barbour is a genuine Royal Warrant holder, granted the honor by Queen Elizabeth, the Duke of Edinburgh, and the Prince of Wales. With its simple yet exquisite design, this jacket has been loved across nations and generations, gradually transforming into a one-of-a-kind possession—much like a well-worn pair of leather shoes comes to reflect the character of its owner.

The Story Behind Barbour's Birth

The oiled jacket, which could be called the face of Barbour, features a tartan check lining that lends it a distinctly British character. Hearing "Royal Warrant brand" might conjure images of nobility, but Barbour is, in fact, a brand that embodies the British outdoor lifestyle.

Barbour was founded in 1894 by John Barbour in South Shields, in northeast England. It began by providing sailors, fishermen, and dockworkers—who worked tirelessly amid the harsh weather of the North Sea—with a high-quality cotton fabric called oiled cloth, made by impregnating cotton with oil. This innovative waterproof jacket made from oiled cloth proved remarkably durable, and its reputation spread rapidly. Later, during both World War I and World War II, Barbour supplied waterproof clothing to the British military. There is even an anecdote from World War II that Captain George Phillip adopted Barbour as the official uniform for the crew of the submarine Ursula, testifying to the brand's exceptional functionality.

After the war, between the 1950s and 1970s, Barbour created the "International Jacket," a riders jacket made of oiled cotton, which gained explosive popularity among circuit racers and became synonymous with the riders jacket itself. In recognition of its sincere craftsmanship and high quality, Barbour was granted the honor of a Royal Warrant—first by the Duke of Edinburgh in 1974, then by Queen Elizabeth II in 1982, and finally by the Prince of Wales in 1987, as mentioned earlier. Following the passing of the Queen Mother, only three of the highest Royal Warrants remain in existence today, making it exceedingly rare for a brand like Barbour to hold all of them.

From the 1970s onward, Barbour came to be used in British activities such as hunting, fishing, and horseback riding, adding color to the attire of the country gentleman. In this way, Barbour established itself as a firm and enduring presence as Britain's leading outdoor lifestyle brand. Today, its presence extends beyond the outdoors—as a fashion item with an unmatched sense of identity, it's strongly supported by men and women of all ages who value distinctive style.

Getting to Know Barbour's Masterpiece: The Oiled Jacket

Barbour still produces its jackets today at its own factory in South Shields, under thorough quality control. The company holds the know-how to complete every process in-house, and each product is finished through the hands of skilled craftspeople. Even the cutting of fabric isn't handled by automated processes—instead, workers carefully cut the material by eye, matching it against the pattern.

Durable, Lustrous Oil Finishing

A defining feature of Barbour's oiled jacket is the oil worked into the surface of the fabric, giving it a lustrous sheen along with water resistance and warmth. This substantial, weighty presence has long captivated adult men in search of the genuine article, and it also counts many women among its devoted fans. Because the oil is thoroughly worked into the high-quality cotton fabric, it doesn't feel sticky to the touch—though extended wear may cause the oil to transfer onto other clothing, meaning it requires more care and attention than an ordinary jacket. Still, the more time and effort you invest, the more attached you become to it—and this seemingly negative quality is precisely why the jacket has won so many devoted fans around the world.

A Warm Corduroy Collar

The oiled jacket features the corduroy collar common to Barbour's classic models. Warm in appearance, the collar is fitted with a wind flap, so on especially windy days you can turn it up to protect your neck. It's a detail that conveys the essence of a traditional British outer garment.

Delightfully Thoughtful Details

Precisely because Barbour's oiled jacket was originally designed specifically for outdoor use, its functionality is outstanding.

1. A large ring zipper that can be opened and closed even while wearing gloves.

2. Hand warmer pockets below the chest, lined inside with warm, soft flannel.

3. Side vents that fasten with hooks, featuring an inverted design that keeps cold wind from getting inside the garment.

4. Inner ribbing at the cuffs to shut out the cold.

Such careful attention to detail underpins the jacket's exceptional functionality, and it's what has made it a truly one-of-a-kind piece.

Styling the Slim, Modern Bedale SL Series

The 【Bedale SL】 by Barbour that ZUTTO carries differs from the version sold within the UK. The standard Bedale series is tailored to fit the British male physique, so its relaxed sizing can feel a bit oversized on slighter Japanese frames. Bedale SL, on the other hand, has a slimmer length, armholes, and shoulder width, resulting in a clean, refined, and modern silhouette. It's said to be the best-selling model among Barbour's oiled jackets in Japan.

Worn by Men

Barbour's oiled jacket carries a solid sense of practicality along with real history. Simply throwing on a Bedale SL over your usual autumn or winter outfit completely transforms the impression it gives. Precisely because it's a casual jacket, it pairs just as well with a suit and leather shoes as it does with sneakers and a backpack for a relaxed weekend look. An oiled jacket that suits denim, chinos, slacks, and suits alike truly deserves its reputation as a jacket a man can wear for a lifetime.

Worn by Women

The oiled jacket pairs easily with almost any style for men, but some women may wonder if it's a bit trickier to wear well. If that describes you, try incorporating it into your wardrobe first on days when you want to add a sharp edge to your usual look. The length is slightly longer, making it work beautifully with both pants and skirts. Here, we've paired it with a handsome outfit and with a feminine pants style.

A white turtleneck paired with wool tapered pants makes for an elegant winter look, and adding a Bedale SL only enhances it. Since this is the slim model, it wears clean and streamlined. Pairing it with handsome tassel shoes for a distinctly mannish coordination is also a great option.

The Bedale SL also pairs beautifully with trending wide pants that give off a feminine, casual impression. A large canvas shoulder bag, with its hint of outdoor atmosphere, is a perfect match for the oiled jacket. Finish off relaxed wide pants or skirts with canvas sneakers.

Caring for It with Love, So You Can Keep Using It

A Barbour oiled jacket is a jacket where, alongside the joy of wearing it, you'll also find joy in "the effort of caring for it." Because the fabric is impregnated with oil, it's not something you can casually wear anywhere—it requires a certain amount of thoughtfulness. And that's precisely what makes it worth wearing.

About Everyday Use

Because Barbour's oiled jackets are treated with waterproofing oil, depending on how you wear them, the oil may transfer onto other clothing or belongings. Avoid wearing the jacket while riding on trains or in cars, and when not wearing it, turn it inside out and roll it up so the oiled cloth surface doesn't touch other materials.

Also, since prolonged wear may transfer oil onto the pants or skirt worn underneath, we recommend taking the jacket off frequently whenever you go indoors.

Daily Care

Since washing with warm water or detergent will strip away the waterproofing oil, please do not wash your oiled jacket this way. Brush off dirt and dust thoroughly with a clothing brush, and for any grime the brush can't remove, gently wipe the surface with a sponge dampened with water. Do not leave a wet jacket in a cramped space—hang it in a well-ventilated area and let it air dry naturally.

About Storage

Please avoid situations where the jacket is in direct contact with other garments inside a closet. We recommend covering it with a breathable non-woven fabric or garment cover for storage.

About Reproofing and After-Sales Service

Oiled jackets are highly durable, but years of use and friction from external sources can cause the oil to wear away, leading to reduced waterproofing and durability. If you're concerned about waterproofing or durability, we recommend having the jacket reproofed—that is, having oil reapplied.

Cleaning, reproofing, and repair services for the Barbour oiled jackets carried by ZUTTO are handled, for a fee, by the repair company listed below. If you'd like to make use of these services, please contact them directly.

■Lavarex Co., Ltd.:http://lavarex.co.jp/

A Barbour oiled jacket gains character and depth of texture the more you use and care for it, all while retaining the features and performance the product was originally designed with. There are plenty of fashion items in the world that you can casually add to your wardrobe, but by devoting affection and time to continued use, you'll discover the pleasure of keeping a single item for the long haul.

The Barbour Quilted Collection: A Great Addition to Your Wardrobe

While Barbour is strongly associated with oiled jackets, quilted jackets are said to be extremely popular in the brand's home country as well. The quilted collection, which carries a certain understated elegance, seems to speak to the depth of the brand. At ZUTTO, we carry sizes 32 and 34 in women's sizing, in both short and long lengths.

Quilted Jacket: NEW LIDDESDALE NYLON NAVY

Among quilted models, the LIDDESDALE is especially popular. Its square-cut hem, cut at a right angle, gives it a sharp, straight-drop silhouette.

Barbour is an outdoor brand, but choosing the navy colorway gives it a more urban feel. Corduroy accents, a signature touch of Barbour, are also scattered throughout the design.

Left: Short-length model (Quilted Jacket NEW LIDDESDALE NYLON NAVY)

Right: Long-length model (Quilted Jacket NEW LIDDESDALE LONG NYLON NAVY)

Barbour's quilted jackets feature a slit at the hem that can be adjusted with a snap button, reducing tightness and allowing you to move freely even when layering up warmly. Choose between the short length, which covers about half of the hips and is designed for women, or the long length, which fully covers down to above the knee, depending on your preference.

Whether it's the oiled jacket or the quilted jacket, wearing one lets you experience the high craftsmanship Barbour is proud of, along with the joy of using it over the years. A Barbour jacket, imbued with British pride, is bound to become more than just a piece for one winter—it will be a companion that stays with you throughout your life.

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