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The History Of Barbour - Since 1894

The History Of Barbour - Since 1894

In 1894, in the salty air of South Shields on England’s northeast coast, a family began making tough, beautiful clothing for people who worked and lived outdoors. They called it Barbour. Over the next 130 years, those jackets and layers became companions, pulled on at first light, caked with mud, rinsed by rain, softened by seasons, and often down to the next generation handed.

Barbour has never chased trends. It makes things to last. The waxed jacket, the one you’ve seen on farmers, fishermen, travellers, and a fair share of legends, built for real weather and real life. And when time and terrain leave their marks, Barbour’s re-waxing brings the garment back to life, richer for the miles it’s travelled. That’s sustainability the old-fashioned way: repair, care, keep.

It’s still a family business, still in South Shields, still guided by the same hands-on pride. Along the way, Barbour has been worn by countryside folk and city wanderers, by royalty and everyday heroes alike. The thread that ties them together is simple: honest craft and a quiet confidence that doesn’t need to shout.

And now there’s something new alongside the classics. Barbour’s younger, style-conscious ranges bring the heritage forward, think cleaner silhouettes, lighter layers, and city-ready pieces that move easily between weekday and weekend. You’ll find modern fits, quilted and lightweight wax options, overshirts, gilets, knitwear, tees and caps all with that unmistakable Barbour feel, just tuned for today.

That’s why we’re proud to welcome Barbour to Safari Collection. Our customers know the pull of open spaces, the dignity of good work, and the value of kit you can trust whether you’re crossing a muddy paddock or a mountain pass. Barbour fits that life perfectly: practical, respectful of nature, quietly timeless and now with a fresh edge for the next generation.

Come feel the fabric, try the fit, and start your own story. With Barbour, you don’t just wear a jacket you collect memories in it. Look after it, and it will look after you, season after season.

Discover the Barbour collection in-store and online at Safari Collection.

Built for the outdoors. Ready for a lifetime…and for right now.

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