What waterproof fabric did Thomas Burberry invent?

Thomas Burberry invented gabardine. He introduced the fabric in 1879, creating a lightweight, durable, tightly woven material suited to outdoor clothing.

Gabardine was a major improvement over heavy rubberized rainwear, which could repel water but was often uncomfortable and poorly breathable. Burberry’s process involved waterproofing yarn before weaving it, helping the finished cloth resist rain while remaining comparatively light and wearable.

The fabric was initially associated with cotton, although gabardine can also be made from wool, synthetic fibers, or blends. Its characteristic twill weave produces a visible diagonal rib and gives the material strength and durability. It is better described as water-resistant or water-repellent than absolutely impervious to water.

Burberry patented gabardine in 1888. The material later became essential to the company’s military outerwear, especially the trench coat used by British officers during the First World War. Gabardine and trench coats are related but not identical: gabardine is the fabric, while the trench coat is the garment made from it.