Barbour
South Shields maker of waxed-cotton country jackets. Tag grounds shift from coloured to black-and-gold, and royal warrants appear, across the decades.
- Origin
- England
- Founded
- 1894
- Category
- Outdoor & Heritage
- Documented eras
- 5
How Barbour labels evolved over time. Match the markers below against the tag in hand to place a garment in its era.
1970–1979
'Barbour's of South Shields' Tags
Mostly rectangular tags with a simple, minimalist design reading 'Barbour's of South Shields', on coloured grounds — often yellow or brown.
- Mostly rectangular tags.
- Simple, minimalistic design using “Barbour’s of South Shields.”
- Colored backgrounds, often yellow or brown.
How to spot it
'Barbour's of South Shields' on a yellow or brown tag.
Value signal
Strong; 70s waxed Barbour is a sought era.
1980–1989
Dark Grounds, Coat of Arms
A shift to darker grounds with gold lettering, more detailed tags carrying the coat of arms and product lines like 'Bedale'.
- Shift towards darker backgrounds and gold lettering.
- More detailed tags, featuring the coat of arms and product lines like “Bedale.”
- Bold Barbour branding remains prominent.
How to spot it
A dark tag, gold lettering, the coat of arms.
Value signal
Strong; 80s Bedale and Beaufort jackets sell very well.
1990–1999
Black Tags, Royal Warrants
Black grounds with gold or white lettering became standard, royal warrants prominently displayed, tags carrying fuller care detail.
- Increased use of black backgrounds with gold or white lettering.
- Royal warrants prominently displayed.
- Tags become more comprehensive, often providing product care instructions.
How to spot it
A black-and-gold tag with royal warrants.
Value signal
Solid; waxed Barbour holds steady reseller demand.
2000–2009
Named-Line Black Tags
Black tags with gold lettering continued, with more intricate designs and named product lines like 'Gamefair' and 'Border'.
- Black tags with gold lettering continue to dominate.
- More intricate designs and care instructions.
- Product lines like “Gamefair” and “Border” are named specifically.
How to spot it
A black-and-gold tag naming the product line.
Value signal
Common; condition-driven, re-waxable jackets hold value.
2010–2019
Modernised Warrant Tags
Tags clearly show royal warrants and product lines, with fuller care and sustainability detail in a modernised yet classic style.
- Tags often feature royal warrants and product lines clearly.
- More information on care instructions and sustainability efforts.
- Modernized appearance, yet retaining the classic Barbour style.
- Barbour’s logo and neck tags have evolved over time, each era contributing unique identifiers to help vintage enthusiasts date their clothing. Understanding these differences can offer valuable insights into the rich heritage of Barbour’s collections.
How to spot it
Modernised black tags with warrants and care detail.
Value signal
Modern; priced on the piece.