Let it British Mille-rain...

If you look through your respective wardrobes, however vast or small they may be, you will probably see the instantly recognisable Gortex patch adorning one of your prized pieces of outwear, or the oily feel finish of a treasured Waxed Barbour or Filson. However, your eyes should most definitely gaze upon one insignia, attached to an unmistakable material that's synonymous with a host of quality labels.


Whether it's the infamous Albam fisherman's cagoule or the timeless Heritage Research longline parka, British Millerain has been the pallet upon which these magnificent creations have been painted.

The rugged durability and general look of these jackets are unmistakable and anyone who owns something made from the material archives of British Millerain will empathise with me. I think their waxed cotton fabrics work well with that outdoor, classic-modern look which is evident from the sort of labels using British Millerain for their designs.

Founded in the 1890's British Millerain have grown by taking stock of their age perfected know-how and dedication to research in the field of fabrics. That, together with the head-turning charm of the overall finished quality and rugged durability have made British Millerain come to stand for all the things that are expected in exemplary clothing...There can be no wonder that the fore-runners of quality and style are queing up for a touch of the British.

'Men who worked at sea a hundred years ago were at the mercy of the rain, wind and waves and often their fragile craft offered little protection from the elements.
Often survival was dependant on good clothing. If a man were soaked on deck, the icy waters could render his limbs heavy and slow his return journey to the shore. These early sea-farers devised a way of weather proofing their crude canvas smocks.

These garments, which were usually made from the remains of wind torn sails, were rubbed with linseed oil. They found that when the oil had penetrated the cloth it kept the biting winds and harsh sprays from reaching their skin. This idea of applying finishes to a base fabric was the beginning of generations of waterproof and water resistant fabrics.
Towards the end of the 1880's, British Millerain began to develop fabrics which would suit a wide variety of clothing requirements from the rigours of life in the armed forces to the lesser demands of country pursuits.
People may be surprised to see similar clothing being worn as a fashion item by the well heeled in the streets of capital cities and country villages around the world today.
Waterproof and water resistant fabrics have retained their popularity during the decades from 1880, when British Millerain began, through the war years when they supplied fabrics for use by British troops in India, through the fabrics revolution when synthetics emerged and right up to the present day.
The demand for "Millerained" fabrics is greater than ever and the skills of this family company have been passed through six generations to meet the requirements of the clothing industry worldwide.
Today, British Millerain is a major supplier of technical textiles. Producing apparel, canvas, medical, military, marine, industrial and sports fabrics.'

Saul Wilks.