Thomas Burberry patented gabardine in 1888 for outdoor clothing designs. The tightly woven fabric was designed to be durable and comparatively weather-resistant while remaining lighter than many traditional waterproof materials.
Burberry developed the material by treating the individual yarns before weaving rather than coating the finished cloth. This construction helped make gabardine breathable and practical for active use, contributing to the company’s reputation for outerwear.
The fabric became closely associated with Burberry, although gabardine is a textile type rather than a brand-exclusive material. It has been made from wool, cotton, or blended fibers, and its characteristic diagonal twill gives it a distinctive surface.
Gabardine is often confused with the later Burberry trench coat. The trench coat is a garment style that became associated with military service and the brand, while gabardine is the fabric used in many garments, including some trench coats.