Gabardine is a durable twill worsted wool. It is a tightly woven waterproof fabric and is used to make outerwear and various other garments, such as suits, overcoats, trousers, uniforms, and windbreakers. Thomas Burberry created the fabric in the late 1870s and patented it in 1888.[1] The name gabardine comes from "gaberdine", a type of long, cape-like dress worn during the Middle Ages.[2]
Since its debut in the late 19th century, gabardine has taken on an important role in military, active, and outerwear due to its durable, breathable, waterproof, and lightweight nature. In particular, its widespread use by the British military during World War I produced the garments now widely recognized as the trench coat.[3]
- ^ Gilroy, Darla-Jane (2023-05-11). Little Book of Burberry: The Story of the Iconic Fashion House. Headline. ISBN 978-1-80279-268-3.
- ^ "gabardine". www.bloomsburyfashioncentral.com. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
- ^ "The trench coat's forgotten WW1 roots". BBC News. 2014-10-04. Retrieved 2024-08-16.