Barbour jackets are made by British clothing maker J. Barbour and Sons Ltd. They are a popular brand of jackets that are noted for their weatherproofing and fine craftsmanship. They were first made in 1894 in South Shields, England. Today, Barbour makes more than just jackets. They also have a line of sweaters, shirts and moleskin clothing. They are most famous for their waterproof jackets, however. The original Barbour jackets were made from oilskin, which means they were a canvas jacket with an overlay of linseed oil that makes them waterproof. Nowadays waterproofing is done synthetically. The Barbour Company is a proud holder of a royal warrant of appointment. Royal warrants mean a company is an official supplier to a royal court or specific person. A company with a royal warrant is allowed to advertise this fact. Since royalty is associated with fine quality craftsmanship, this is a high honour for any European company. Barbour sometimes has ambassadors who are experts in different fields. These ambassadors help the company design clothing that works for a specific endeavour, such as archery or equestrianism. Barbour jackets that are used for foxhunting are famous for their durability and beautiful style that lasts even after years of outdoor use