Our story begins in 1936. Duncan Barbour lived for the road. So he built a jacket for those who did too. Tough, functional and made to take on whatever the ride threw at it.
That same year, Duncan gave one to his friend Billy Tiffen.
Billy wore it at the Scottish Six Day Trials. He won.
This isn't just a story about a jacket – it's a story about the people who wore it. The roads they took. The challenges they faced. The daring spirit that drove them forward. Ninety years later, that spirit remains.
1939-45
During the Second World War, submariner Captain George Phillips one of the most celebrated submarine officers of the war, while in command of the Ursula, the first of the new U-class submarines, spotted one of his men, Lieutenant Lakin, wearing a Barbour International one piece suit. Phillips told him to wear it while he turned a fire hose on him. Despite the force of the water, the navigating officer remained dry. This impressed Captain Phillips so much that he approached Barbour in South Shields and persuaded them to turn the suit into a two-piece combination for his crew. This became the Ursula suit and was commissioned by the Royal Navy for all submariners during the war.
1947
Barbour introduced this two-piece version of the International into its civilian range.
1949
Motorcyclist Olga Kevelos won at the International Six Day Trials (ISDT) competing every year until 1966 in her Barbour International.
1951
The International jacket gained its distinctive slanted, left breast pocket allowing the wearer easy access to maps or for a trials time card.
1953
The International was chosen as the official ‘uniform’ for the Vincent Owners Club. Vincent was known as the ‘Maker of the World’s Fastest Standard Motorcycle’ and to mark this tie-up between the two businesses, the International was dyed black. Vincent owners were particularly thrilled, as the black jacket with brass press studs preserved the black and gold colour scheme of their machines.
1957
By 1957, over 97% of all ISDT riders were wearing Barbour International suits. They had also been adopted by the British army’s motorcycle display team and the patrolmen of 14 different UK police forces.
1964
The International was worn exclusively by the American ISDT team at the ISDT in Erfurt, East Germany. The US team included actor Steve McQueen and the legendary stunt rider, Bud Ekins, (whose film credits included ‘The Great Escape’ fence leap) .
1980
The now distinctive black and gold Barbour International embroidered badge first appeared on the jackets.
2011
Barbour International celebrates its 75th anniversary and the Steve McQueen collection was launched, inspired by photos of Steve McQueen racing on his motorbike and relaxing at leisure taken from the archives featuring jackets, shirts, tees and knitwear. It continues to this day.
2017
Barbour International shows at London Fashion Week Men’s for the first time highlighting over 80 years of history and the AW17 collections.
2018
Barbour International wins Mainstream Brand of the Year at the Drapers Awards in London.
2021
Barbour International in partnership with Scotts Menswear collaborated with North East based musician Sam Fender on an exclusive collection.
2026
Barbour International celebrates its 90th anniversary.
