AN AUSTRALIAN LEGEND SINCE 1898.

THE ORIGINS OR DRIZA-BONE

The Driza-Bone oilskin coat is part of Australia’s history. Now it is a way of life, some even say a state of mind. It began life aboard the early windjammers that plied the great southern oceans, and like all good ideas, was born of necessity. For once upon a time, to keep dry the sailors smeared themselves and their clothes and their hair with a mixture of oils, to ward off the cold and to keep out the rain and the oceans’ unrelenting spray. It kept them dry, if somewhat uncomfortable. Their clothes become heavy and cumbersome, and they lived without the luxury of frequent changes of wardrobe. Then a Scottish sailor by the name of E.Le Roy discovered that the torn sails on his ship could be recycled into long coats and sou’westers, and by painting the fabric with a mixture of oils they were transformed into excellent wet weather gear. When eventually his sailors went ashore they took their renowned wet weather coats with them. The word spread about the effectiveness of Le Roy’s coats in the wet and the colony’s squatters and settlers soon adopted them. Once ashore, the coat was adapted to life on the land with a fantail to protect the seat of the horse rider’s saddle, leg straps to keep the coat from taking off in high winds, and extra long sleeves so that they still protected the wearer when his arms were extended. So effective were the coats that they eventually became known as Driza-Bones, after the dried and parched bones of animals in the arid Australian outback. Today, the traditionally styled coat is still made from natural cotton fibres which still allow the body to breathe, preventing that uncomfortable personal greenhouse effect. And the scientific theory that oil and water don’t mix still keeps out the heaviest downpours of rain, even when you need to be outdoors for days on end. And they’re still made in Australia.

DRIZA-BONE RIDING COAT

  • The traditional Driza-Bone with generous cut, cape, reinforced elbow patches, leg straps, storm front flap closure, wrist straps and double stitched stress seams.
  • Heavyweight Oilskin – Colours: Brown, Black, Navy.
  • Durapel/Drizapel Fabric – Colours: Grape, Mustard, Bracken, Black, Ocean.

DRIZA-BONE WEATHERALL

  • With detachable pure wool liner knitted onto a polyester backing and attached by press-studs over the standard 100% cotton lining. Side entry pockets, studded pocket flaps plus all the traditional riding coat features.
  • Heavyweight Oilskin – Colours: Brown, Black.

DRIZA-BONE BUSTER

  • A full length coat with half lining in 100% cotton check flannelette, corduroy lined collar, featured hanger loop, two generous two-way access pockets with brass studded flaps, poacher’s pocket inside the coat and a repair kit of two spare press studs and extra fabric.
  • Heavyweight Oilskin – Colours: Brown, Black.

DRIZA-BONE TOWN & COUNTRY

  • With stylish added features, in dry-touch fabric, with contrasting or matching lining extending to the underside of the front flap, cape, pocket flaps and fantail. Optional detachable visored lined hood with a drawstring closure and toggles.
  • Summerweight Fabric – Colours: Navy with Green Lining, Black with Black Lining, Green with Navy Lining, Brown with Brown Lining, Red with Black Lining.

DRIZA-BONE RAINFOREST

  • With a slimmer, flattering shape, mid calf length, generous cape, wide straps colour co-ordinated Olympic print lining. Side entry pockets, studded fantail plus all the traditional features.
  • Heavyweight Oilskin – Colour: Eucalypt Green with full colour embroidered Olympic logo.

DRIZA-BONE RED CENTRE

  • With a slimmer, flattering shape, mid calf length, generous cape, wide straps colour co-ordinated Olympic print lining. Side entry pockets, studded fantail plus all the traditional features.
  • Heavyweight Oilskin – Colour: Ironbark Brown with tone on tone embroidered Olympic logo.

DRIZA-BONE GROSVENOR

  • In ¾ length with thermal wadding, leather collar, leather trim on the side hand warmer pocket welts, an action style back and drawstring back waist with barrel locked toggles.
  • Heavyweight Oilskin – Colours: Brown, Black, Navy.
  • Durapel/Drizapel – Colours: Navy, Mustard, Bracken, Black, Ocean.

DRIZA-BONE BRUMBY

  • In bomber jacket styling, with robust front zip closure, corduroy collar, fully flannelette lined. Plus inside pocket, external sipped security pocket, two side pockets, adjustable waist straps, corduroy lined adjustable cuffs.
  • Summerweight Fabric – Colours: Navy, Green, Red.
  • Extra Superfine Oilskin – Colours: Brown, Black.

DRIZA-BONE BUSHMAN

  • Mid length, with traditional cape and lined drawstring hood which conveniently rolls up and fastens into a self-forming collar. Two large front pockets with stud closures, flannelette lined handwarmer access, drawstring waist with barlocked toggles, flannelette half lining.
  • Heavyweight Oilskin – Colours: Brown, Black.
  • Summerweight Fabric – Colours: Navy, Red, Green.
  • Extra Superfine Oilskin – Colours: Brown, Black.

DRIZA-BONE SHORT COAT

  • With all the features of the longer length coat except rear fantail, leg straps and elbow patches.
  • Heavyweight Oilskin – Colours: Brown, Black, Navy.

 

DRIZA-BONE EXPLORER

  • A short coat with 100% cotton check flannelette half-lining corduroy lined collar, two roomy two-way access pockets, and a repair kit.
  • Heavyweight Oilskin – Colours: Brown, Black.

DRIZA-BONE SHORT WEATHERALL

  • Detachable wool liner knitted onto a polyester backing and attached by press studs over the standard 100% cotton lining. All the features of the longer length style with the exception of the fantail and leg straps.
  • Heavyweight Oilskin – Colours: Brown, Black.

DRIZA-BONE RIDING VEST

  • Fully lined in cotton flannelette, with two bellows studded pockets and adjustable waist straps.
  • Heavyweight Oilskin – Colours: Brown, Black.

DRIZA-BONE AUSSIE DAINTREE

  • A smart plain and houndstooth fabric. Non wax moist resin finish jacket with NuBuck leather collar, angled front side pockets, raglan sleeves, and adjustable wrist closures. 100% cotton lined with an inside pocket.
  • Fortress/Resin Fabric – Colour: Olive plain/houndstooth

 

DRIZA-BONE PARKA

  • Fully lined, with a large front envelope pocket, elasticised sleeve at the cuff, drawstring waist, elasticised attached hood and a drawstring closure at the neck.
  • Heavyweight Oilskin – Colour: Brown.

DRIZA-BONE TROUSERS

  • Generously cut, with side access to garments, which may be worn underneath, an elasticised waist and a press-studded waist closure.
  • Heavyweight Oilskin – Colours: Brown, Black.

DRIZA-BONE PONCHO

  • In a generous length, 100% oiled cotton, fully lined, a press stud closure on each side to enclose arms, a round collar and a vent opening at the front with drawstring closure and toggles.
  • Heavyweight Oilskin – Colour: Brown.

DRIZA-BONE CHAPS

  • Convenient full length, inner leg two-way zippers on both legs, corduroy around the waist with a toggled drawstring and are fully lined.
  • Heavyweight Oilskin – Colour: Brown.

DRIZA-BONE LIGHTNING RIDGE
(Sydney 2000 Olympic Games Millenium Collection)

  • A knee length coat with generous sized cape, wide cape straps, studded front flap, two large flapped front pockets, featured hangar loop plus colour co-ordinated Sydney 2000 Olympic Games design print lining.
  • Durapel/Drizapel Fabric – Colour: Burnt Ochre with brown embroidered Olympic logo.

DRIZA-BONE AUSSIE RANGER

  • In ¾ length with attractive NuBuck leather collar and drawstring waist with barrel locked toggles. It has a sewn in cape, is fully lined, has six pockets and heavy-duty zipper.
  • Heavyweight Oilskin – Colour: Olive.

DRIZA-BONE VILLAGE AND COUNTRY

  • A short coat with added stylish features in dry touch fabric, with contrasting lining. Optional detachable visored lined hood with a drawstring closure and toggles.
  • Summerweight Fabric – Colours: Navy with Green Lining, Green with Navy Lining, Brown with Brown Lining, Black with Black Lining, Red with Black Lining.

DRIZA-BONE SWEATERS: FISHERMAN’S RIB CREW, CABLE KNIT CREW, CABLE KNIT ROLL NECK

  • In pure new undyed wool, spun dried without chemicals to give a softer, luxuriant feel.
  • Colour: Natural.
  • Sizes: Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large.

DRIZA-BONE SLOUCH HAT

  • Sturdy, weatherproof, practical.
  • Heavyweight Oilskin – Colours: Brown, Black, Navy.
  • Sizes: Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large.

DRIZA-BONE SOU’WESTER

  • Designed for maximum protection in the rain.
  • Heavyweight Oilskin – Colours: Brown, Black, Navy.
  • Sizes: Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large.

DRIZA-BONE LEATHER JACKAROO HAT

  • Made from the finest full grain cow hide with a special oil finish for water repellency, an inner sweat band for extra protection plus a Driza-Bone badge on the plaited leather trim band.
  • Colours: Brown, Black, Acorn.

DRIZA-BONE TOPENDER

  • Sturdy rainproof hat with deep crown, pinched front, flat brim and two eyelets either side of crown for airflow.
  • Heavyweight Oilskin – Colours: Brown, Black.

DRIZA-BONE BURKE & WILLS

  • Made from genuine kangaroo leather with a soft luxurious finish, lightweight, an inner sweatband for protection, double stitched with a leather-plaited band and Driza-Bone badge.
  • Colour: Brown.
  • Sizes: S, M, M/L, L, XL.

DRIZA-BONE PACIFIC PALM, ISLANDER PALM

  • In natural palm straw. Finished inside with gold embossed leather lining.
  • Colour: Natural.
  • Sizes: 54-61cm.
  • (Pacific Palm illustrated).

DRIZA-BONE RAINIER HAT

  • Blocked oilskin hat with adjustable leather “under chin” strap, plaited suede trim band with Driza-Bone badge, and four “fresh air” eyelets in the crown.
  • Heavyweight Oilskin – Colours: Brown, Black.
  • Sizes: Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large.

 

DRIZA-BONE EMBROIDERED CAP

  • Weatherproof baseball style cap in heavyweight fabric, fully lined. Adjustable leather buckle strap at the back, and Driza-Bone logo embroidered on the front.
  • Heavyweight Oilskin – Colour: Brown.
  • Sizes: Small, Regular, Large.

DRIZA-BONE UNISEX BAG

  • Casual shoulder bag with long strap fully lined, inner zipper pocket, convenient outer zippered compartment and fold over top with clip fastener.
  • Colour: Rust Brown.

DRIZA-BONE DOUBLE FLAP BACKPACK

  • Fashionably stylish, roomy and convenient in oiled Kangaroo/Buffalo leathers in natural bushland tones of Ironbark Brown and Eucalypt Green for flaps, Earth Brown for bag, fully lined.
  • Colour: Earth Brown/Eucalypt Green.

DRIZA-BONE FLAPOVER SHOULDER BAG

  • Compact casual bag, inner zip pocket, two fully lined inner compartments and single buckle closure, attractively finished in Kangaroo/Buffalo leathers.
  • Colour: Ironbark Brown/Earth Brown.

DRIZA-BONE DOUBLE BUCKLE POSTIE BAG

  • Casual styled handbag in oiled Kangaroo and Buffalo leather. Two front compartments, long shoulder strap and inner zip compartment, magnetic clip closure.
  • Colour: Ironbark Brown/Earth Brown.

DRIZA-BONE BRIEFCASE

  • Very attractive NuBuck full grain Buffalo leather briefcase with detachable shoulder strap and convenient carry handle, outside back zippered compartment, two inner compartments, two front pouches plus inner pen and business card holders. Fully lined.
  • Colour: Rust Brown.

DRIZA-BONE BUM BAG

  • Fully lined kangaroo leather with zip closure, plus outer zippered compartments for easy access. Fully adjustable waistband.
  • Colour: Earth Brown.

DRIZA-BONE PASSPORT WALLET

  • NuBuck Buffalo leather passport wallet with provision for passport, tickets, travellers cheques, and space for all those other important papers plus stud closure for safety. Fully lined.
  • Colour: Rust Brown.

DRIZA-BONE LADY’S PURSE – SMALL

  • Sturdy, lined coin section with gold clasp, wallet section has provision for notes and eight credit cards.
  • Colour: Earth Brown.

DRIZA-BONE MEN’S WALLET

  • Stylish wallet with small coin section, provision for credit cards and note section.
  • Colour: Earth Brown/Eucalypt Green.

DRIZA-BONE UNISEX WALLET

  • Convenient and compact with provision for notes, credit cards, ID details and zippered coin section.
  • Colour: Earth Brown/Eucalypt Green.

DRIZA-BONE KEY FOB

  • Attractive Kangaroo leather key fob with Driza-Bone logo and a sturdy double slip ring.
  • Colour: Earth Brown/ Eucalypt Green.

DRIZA-BONE COIN PURSE

  • A flat purse to fit easily into pocket or bag with small, zippered inner compartment.
  • Colours: Rust Brown, Earth Brown, Eucalypt Green (complete with outside pocket).

 

THE DRIZA-BONE GUARANTEE

Driza-Bone demonstrates its commitment to service and quality in the best way possible, with a twelve-month guarantee anywhere in the world against any faulty materials or workmanship. To validate the guarantee, your Driza-Bone needs to be worn and cared for in accordance with the care instructions on the label.

The following care hints will help prolong the life of your favourite Driza-Bone. Although the traditional Driza-Bone garments can be hosed down or sponged with cold water, they should not be dry cleaned, washed with detergent or cleaned in hot water. If necessary they can be washed with pure soap in lukewarm water but the garment may then need re-proofing. In all cases, please refer to the care label with each garment for details instructions. Over the years of use, areas that appear lighter in colour on the traditional oilskin fabric indicate where re-proofing may be required and this can be done easily with Driza-Bone Garment Dressing. The Dressing is intended for use only on oilskin fabrics. If you’d rather not be parted from your Driza-bone you may wish to re-proof the garment yourself. Or you may prefer to return it to the Driza-Bone factory (but please ensure dirty coats are hosed clean first) where we would be pleased to welcome an old friend back and carry out the necessary re-proofing at a modest cost. All of the Drizapel/Durapel and Summerweight fabrics may be re-proofed if necessary with a silicone, water resistant spray which may be purchased from general retail outlets. For the Fortress/Resin fabrics use a Teflon™ or Scotchgard™. However please pay particular attention to the usage instructions on the can.

© Steve Cselka 2002 - 2010