Rapha + Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth is a town defined by its proximity to water. Situated on a narrow spit of land between the River Yare and the North Sea, its history is one of constant maritime activity. Many expeditions were launched from a harbour, Constable painted its jetty, the travel writer Daniel Defoe called the harbour the “finest in Europe”, and countless pleasure seekers have flocked to its golden sandy beaches on holiday.
It was here, in 1898, that Yarmouth Oilskins began crafting the definitive uniform for the town’s fishing fleet. Beyond mere workwear, they were "everything that people needed to go to sea," as Sophie Miller, Design Director at Yarmouth Oilskins, puts it. They were built to be indestructible, designed using traditional methods and patterns that remain largely unchanged in the factory today. It is still here, over a century later, that a workforce more familial than collegiate produces beautiful, hardy products, including our new Mechanic’s Apron and Tool Roll.
A Shared DNA
Craft, attention to detail, and designing with purpose runs through the DNA of Rapha and Yarmouth Oilskins. While the name might point to a specific, utilitarian function, Yarmouth Oilskins’ goal is to produce garments you could wear as your Sunday best, your everyday workwear, and everything in between.
Heroes Wear Aprons, not Capes.
People will go to great lengths to keep their machine meticulously clean and in fine fettle. You might be restricted to washing it in the shower and moving a sofa to set up a workstand; you might be blessed with an entire home workshop; you might even wield a set of socket wrenches as a professional. But the dedicated rider knows where their bread is buttered. Treat your bike well, and it will reciprocate. We have collaborated on these limited-edition, professional-grade pieces with Yarmouth Oilskins for those who respect the sanctity of a pampered bicycle.
Rapha + Yarmouth Oilskins Tool Roll
A portable solution for the organised rider, this unique tool roll was developed from the ground up using insights from professional team mechanics. Crafted from hardy, workwear-grade fabrics to withstand sharp edges and repeated use, it features graduated internal pockets and a robust wrap-around closure to keep kit secure. Whether laid flat on a home workbench or rolled tight for a cycling holiday, it is a timeless piece of equipment built to endure wherever you take it.
Preparation is Paramount
The connection between a North Sea fisherman and a modern mechanic is deeper than it appears. Both rely on a ritual of preparation. It is about taking raw ingredients and making something beautiful, yet durable. In the case of Yarmouth Oilskins, it means heavyweight cotton twill, robust brass fittings, and creating a beautiful, timeless piece that people look on with admiration. These pieces are designed to look better the more they are used, recording the history of every repair and every trip taken in their fabric.
Rapha + Yarmouth Oilskins Apron
The definitive uniform for the dedicated mechanic, this professional-grade apron is hand-made in Norfolk using heavyweight cotton twill for maximum protection against oils and degreasers. Combining over 120 years of workwear expertise with functional updates, including optimised pocket placement for cycling tools and signature Rapha hits of pink, it offers a tailored fit via adjustable shoulder braces and waist ties. Designed to last a lifetime, it is as beautiful as it is utilitarian.