The Driza-Bone oilskin coat has been a part of Australian life since 1898. For over a hundred years the Driza-Bone has been essential to the lives of many; stockmen, horse riders, sporting teams and spectators, royalty, celebrities, as well as ordinary rural and urban folk who have an appreciation of the great outdoors.

In the 1890's, a Scottish sailor named Edward Le Roy who voyaged across the great southern oceans, discovered that the torn sails on his ship could be recycled into long coats and sou'westers (a seaman's weather-proof hat) by painting the canvas material with a mixture of oils. This transformed them into excellent wet weather gear. The word on the land spread about the effectiveness of Le Roy's coats in the wet and Australia's squatters and settlers soon adopted them. The coat was adapted to life on the land by adding a fantail to protect the seat of the horse rider's saddle, leg straps to keep the coat from taking off in strong winds, and extra-long sleeves to protect the wearer when his arms were extended. The coats were so effective and useful for many, that they eventually became known as Driza-Bones, named after the dried and scorched bones of animals in the arid Australian Outback.

The theory that oil and water don't like to mix still keeps out the heaviest downpours of rain, even when you need to be outdoors for days on end. Certain improvements have been made to the secret oiling process of the Driza-Bone over the last century, but the coat's essential style, waterproof quality and famous durability remain unchanged. Today, Driza-Bone has evolved from being solely an oilskin work coat, to an internationally recognised brand that encompasses a wide range of coats, jackets, vests, hats and leather goods used for both working and outdoor recreational activities. This not only reflects the heritage of the Driza-Bone, but also adds a smart modern look to what has become an Australian icon.