In the world of luxury fashion, few materials carry the weight of history like Burberry’s gabardine. This week, the British heritage house officially unveiled its Gabardine Capsule, a focused collection that honors the 170th anniversary of the brand by returning to the fabric that started it all.
Invented by Thomas Burberry in 1879, gabardine was a breath of fresh air—literally. Before its creation, waterproof clothing was typically heavy, rubberized, and stifling. Burberry’s tightly woven, breathable, and weatherproof cloth revolutionized outerwear, protecting everyone from polar explorers to soldiers in the trenches of WWI.
The new capsule, launched globally on January 7, 2026, reimagines the brand’s most iconic silhouettes through a contemporary lens. Under the creative direction of Daniel Lee, the collection emphasizes “protection” as a core tenet of the Burberry DNA.
Key Highlights Include:
- Signature Outerwear: Familiar shapes like parkas, Harrington jackets, and bombers have been recut in a specialized brushed cotton nylon gabardine.
- The Palette: The collection leans into an earthy, outdoor-ready color story of Hamper Beige and Juniper Green.
- Layering Essentials: To complement the structured outerwear, the capsule features chunky ribbed wool-cashmere knitwear and soft cotton mélange hoodies and joggers, often finished with gabardine paneling or signature trench epaulettes.
One of the most charming details of the capsule is a archival nod found on the interior of the garments. Each piece features a specially-stitched label inspired by a 1993 brand campaign, bearing the phrase: “Burberrys grew out of country life.” It’s a quiet reminder that while Burberry is now a titan of global luxury, its soul remains rooted in the rugged, unpredictable weather of the British Isles.
The Gabardine Capsule launches online and in Burberry stores worldwide on January 7, 2026.
