Estimated from the 1970s, this is the Barbour 'International Suit'.
Barbour is an outdoor lifestyle brand founded in 1894 in South Shields, in the northeast of England.
While today it releases numerous items for town wear, its origins lie in workwear—providing highly durable oilcloth to dock workers, sailors, and fishermen.
The fact that Barbour holds a Royal Warrant, notoriously difficult to obtain, speaks volumes about the quality of its products.
Currently, only three individuals can confer a Royal Warrant: Queen Elizabeth, the Duke of Edinburgh, and Prince Charles. Only brands granted a Royal Warrant may display the Royal Arms, yet these are scrutinised and renewed every five years—making it a rigorous landscape where even an appointed brand may lose its warrant after that period.
Remarkably, Barbour has maintained all three Royal Warrants continuously. Formidable indeed.
The piece we present today is a 'International Suit' from the first crest period, produced only between 1974 and 1982.
Moreover, this particular example bears what is known as the 'Gold Label'—found exclusively on early first crest production runs—making it quite rare.
The International Suit, unveiled in 1936, was adopted by the British International Team and worn for approximately forty years through 1977.
At the 1954 SSDT (Scottish Six Days Trial), more than seventy percent of competitors from Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland, Sweden, Spain and beyond wore the International Suit.
Three years later, at the subsequent Scottish Trial, participants wore the International Suit to such an extent that it became universally standard.
The legendary actor Steve McQueen wore the International as well—a fact so well known it scarcely bears repeating.
The International Suit can be said to have ignited Barbour's rise in popularity, so profoundly did it influence the brand's trajectory. Without this model, it is no exaggeration to say that the Barbour of today would not exist.
Details such as the angled chest pocket—positioned as befits riding wear—have remained unchanged since its release, continuing to captivate generations. A jacket imbued with the romance of tradition.
While no size marking is visible, the garment appears to fall in the region of a 42 or 44—what one might call a golden size—making it suitable for a wide range of builds.
The zip slider has been replaced, and both outer and lining show signs of use, though the jacket remains entirely wearable in its current state. The zip functions smoothly without issue.
The belt, often absent on vintage examples, is intact here, allowing you to cinch the waist and adjust the silhouette in two distinct ways.
A rare first crest International Suit with Gold Label. Early Barbour pieces are seldom seen. Should you be searching for one, this may warrant your attention.
