What does our Jack Riley wine cooler bag and a Driza-Bone jacket have in common?
Is the answer that you can fit two bottles of wine in each? Well, you might squeeze a couple of very small bottles in the pockets of a Driza-Bone jacket, but the real answer is that they’re both made of sturdy, waterproof waxed cotton.
Who thought of waxed cotton?
You’ll be fascinated to know that waxed cotton has been around almost since Adam was a boy. It was first developed in the sailing industry in England and Scotland, way back in the fifth century. Ancient mariners smeared their canvas sails with foul-smelling fish oils and grease to stop them from getting wet because heavy wet sails slowed down their vessels. And they even used the remnants to make waterproof capes for themselves to keep dry. Talk about nice to be near!
Fast forward to 1795, when flax sails were all the rage. Sail maker, Francis Webster, added linseed oil to them, and he created a craze. But a downside of using linseed oil was that it yellowed as it aged, and that went for fisherman’s wet weather slickers, which are yellow to this very day.
In the 1930s a new process was developed. Instead of applying linseed oil to the surface, the cotton cloth was permeated with paraffin wax. The result? The cloth was water-resistant, breathable, and more flexible. It became an instant hit. It was used extensively by the British Armed Forces during World War II for uniforms, tents, and bags. It gave the British a distinct advantage because they were the only military force with waterproof clothing.
It didn’t take long before commercialism took waxed cotton rainwear to farmers and gamekeepers. Then motorcyclists realized its potential for clothing and gear. Now it’s part of our everyday lives and has gained fame through brands like Driza-Bone.
Our wine cooler bag
Waxed cotton became the obvious choice for our Jack Riley wine cooler bag. It’s sturdy. It looks great and can take a lot of wear. It’s as Aussie as they come. And talking of wear, waxed cotton improves with age, so if you’re giving them as gifts, they’ll just keep on getting better looking – day after day, year after year.
Soon these wine cooler bags will become status symbols. Restaurant waiters will be more than deferential. They’ll hit new levels of service excellence. And social media will be abuzz with excitement about these iconic fair dinkum Aussie drink cooler bags.
How to care for your wine cooler bag
While our drink cooler bags look and feel better the more you use them, a few marks will only add to their character. So don’t try to keep your Jack Riley cooler bag in pristine condition. But if it gets a little muddy or dirty, just let the mud or dirt dry. Then use a bristled brush to remove the mud or dirt, or spray a little cold water if you need more cleaning power. For a stubborn stain, it’s ok to use a little soap with cold water. But NEVER use detergent or hot water.
That also means don’t put it in the washing machine. And definitely don’t put it in the dryer. That will break down the wax coating, and when that’s gone, so will your wine cooler bag’s character. On the subject of heat, don’t leave your bag in a hot car for hours on end.
Care for it and it will give you years of devoted service to your wine and will take you happily to a 3 hat restaurant, to dinner with friends, outdoors to a barbie, or to any of our many sporting venues. Don’t leave home without it.
