(N.B. We note that there is a modern Joe Brown fashion house (2026), but in this case we are talking about Joe Brown the climber and mountaineer and his climbing shops in Wales.)

Fashion makes its way into the world of mountaineering the same as it does everywhere else. Tweed jackets were the norm back in the good old days, knee length (itchy) breeches were the thing for a decade or two. Most things were made of wool back then until fleece came along, dun colours were held sway for a century or so until things brightened up a bit with Lycra and its somewhat garish associates.

Flannel seems to have been around for centuries, probably having its origins in Wales, which fits nicely with the Joe Brown Welsh Flannel shirt that we have here in the collection. Made from woven wool and cotton, these shirts were a fashion item in the 1960s and 70s, usually with a check or tartan design. They were warm and cosy and still looked cool in the pub after a days climbing. Various forms of fleece came along in the 1980s, conveniently using zips rather than buttons and providing a bigger profit margin to the manufacturers.

We bought this fine example for a few pounds off the internet in 2026 to fill a gap in our fashion parade!