Published October 7, 2026

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Updated October 7, 2026

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In 1894, an entrepreneurial Scotsman named John Barbour started a business importing oilcloth, a waterproof textile used to protect against the elements, to South Shields, England. He turned the cloth into jackets for local sailors, fishermen and mariners.

From there, Barbour became a staple brand for British farmers before being adopted by the landed gentry, including the Royal Family, in the 1970s. By the 1980s, that association with English nobles made the brand fashionable among British “trads,” and their American counterparts, the “preppies.”

While Barbour is now a well-rounded clothing company, it is still best known for its waxed cotton jackets. Flagship models spanning decades, including the International (1936), the Bedale (1980) and the Beaufort (1983), form the brand’s foundation, while collaborations keep it fresh and intriguing.

From heritage American brand J.Crew to upstart Japanese brand Norbit, some of Barbour’s best releases of the year come from innovative partnerships.

Barbour has come a long way since its humble utilitarian beginnings, but functionality is still at the heart of its best releases. These are Barbour’s best jackets released so far in 2026.