The region of Galloway, in the south west of Scotland, is known for its rolling, verdant pastures, rugged coastlines and rich history – as well as for its impressive rainfall, which is some of the highest in Europe. It was here that John Barbour, the founder of heritage brand Barbour, was born and raised, so dressing for wet, challenging weather was part of his upbringing.

When he moved to the coastal town of South Shields in England, Barbour opened a business in 1894 that banked on this knowledge: selling hardy, oil-skin, weather-proof outerwear for the marinas and fishermen who lived in the area, and needed protection from extreme conditions. Key to its success was its innovation in fabric, transforming what was traditionally a stiff material into a comfortable yet utilitarian sidekick for battling the outdoors.

Today, Barbour is synonymous with royalty, as worn by Queen Elizabeth II – with a silk headscarf and tartan skirt – while walking the grounds of Balmoral, as well as by Lady Diana around London and Catherine, Princess of Wales, while on official duties. It’s also become a beacon of modernity, as the jacket of choice for many festival-goers, including Alexa Chung and Kate Moss at Glastonbury, and even as an urban uniform for city-workers.

As a fifth-generation, family-owned brand, Barbour remains steeped in its heritage, yet is decidedly modern – a legacy it’s bringing to a new collection with Specsavers, adding another impressive name to the eyewear retailer’s growing portfolio of designer brands.

Available in-store now at Specsavers, the range includes 13 optical adult styles and two kids’ styles, designed for all manner of people and purposes, akin to Barbour’s famed jackets. “The collection of frames, much like Barbour’s own brand ethos, is fit for purpose, timeless and transcends fashion, providing the wearer with a unique pair of frames to take them seamlessly from the rush of the city to the calm of the country,” says Specsavers’ head of frames, Nelly Soleil. “The new Barbour range delivers premium, on trend, durable and beautifully crafted frames that you’d expect from two brands with over 126 years of combined style heritage between them.”

The designs draw on Barbour’s affinity with the countryside and decidedly British heritage: there’s a geometric pair, made from matte acetate in dark-burgundy, which is tipped with a Cordovan tartan; a rounded tortoiseshell style with slim khaki sides with a neutral check on the interior; a bold, black acetate frame with a black-and-white houndstooth pattern; and an acetate style with little pheasants dotted along the inside of the arms. For the kids, the designs take an even more playful approach, realised in crystal-blue acetate or with pictures of dogs illustrating the interior.

“We are delighted to partner with Specsavers on this eyewear collection, which perfectly captures the heritage of Barbour,” says David Godfrey, Barbour’s regional manager distributor markets, EMEA & licensing. “It incorporates our classic British style in textures and patterns synonymous with Barbour, reimagined for everyday wear from the city to the country.”

While Barbour may have grown beyond its oil-skin roots – now as a lifestyle business selling clothing, accessories and footwear to countries around the world – its foundations remain in providing quality, practical and innovative designs for the modern shopper. A promise that Barbour’s new collection with Specsavers more than delivers on.

The Specsavers Barbour collection is available in-store and online now with prices from $459 for two pairs single vision.

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