Which Barbour Jacket Should I Buy?

September 5, 2024 CHO Fashion & Lifestyle

Barbour International quilted jacket and matching wool hat

Barbour wax jackets are an investment in style and your outerwear wardrobe. However, with so many options to choose from, it's not always easy to know which to choose when shopping for your very first.

In this guide, we're answering your Barbour wax jacket queries to make it easier to choose your perfect style. From the best choice for braving the weather to fitting guidelines and the most popular jacket colours, read our guide to discover the perfect Barbour jacket for you!

An image featuring a Barbour jacket, cap and boots

Is a Barbour jacket a good investment?

With their expertise in jacket making and long-standing experience using wax cotton for jacket construction, when you invest in a Barbour jacket, you're investing in a high-quality garment built to last for a lifetime of wear.

Barbour has been creating garments from wax cotton since the 1930s, starting with their world-famous motorcycle suits and honing their craft to produce the stylish and durable wax jackets we know them for today.

Crafted from the finest Thornproof wax cotton or Sylkoil wax, if you care for your wax jacket properly, you can expect it to last for decades. Never put your wax jacket in the washing machine, as this could damage its fabric beyond repair. Also, it's important to re-wax your jacket at least once a year, particularly if you regularly wear it in harsh weather, to keep it performing at its best.

Where are Barbour jackets made?

Each classic Barbour wax jacket is meticulously hand-constructed in the brand's factory in Simonside, South Shields, with each jacket passing through the hands of approximately 36 skilled jacket makers, dealing with each step of the process in turn.

Are Barbour jackets unisex?

Barbour jackets aren't unisex, which will be reflected in the fit. Female fits, such as the Beadnell and Classic Beadnell, are tailored to a feminine silhouette. In contrast, many Barbour jackets for men, including the Beaufort, are cut to a more masculine, oversized finish.

However, if you prefer an oversized fit, nothing stops you from wearing a men's Barbour jacket and vice versa, but the jackets are categorised by gender.

Should I size up or down in a Barbour jacket?

Generally, Barbour jackets fit true to size, but it's always worth checking the product description of your chosen style for its size guide and more details on fit. For example, whilst the Bedale and the Beaufort are cut to be more oversized, the Corbridge is more of a slim-fit style.

What is the most popular Barbour colour?

Barbour wax jackets are available in stylish, neutral colours, including classic black, navy and brown. However, the stand-out Barbour shade at CHO is the brand's signature olive green. This timeless shade is synonymous with Barbour, and its earthy tone evokes feelings of the countryside and the great outdoors.

Whether you're looking for a Barbour wax jacket to elevate your festival style or keep you warm during a countryside stroll, this timeless shade will have you reaching for your wax jacket season after season.

Our Top 5 Favourite Barbour Wax Jackets

Now you know a little more about how Barbour jackets are made and why you should invest in one, here are some of our favourite styles to help you decide on your perfect Barbour jacket. The hardest part will be choosing your favourite from Barbour's exceptional selection of classic styles!

Beadnell

First introduced to the Barbour collection in 2010, the Beadnell is a classic staple for any women's outerwear wardrobe.

Adapted from the men's Bedale, the Beadnell, named after a small fishing village in Northumberland, is cut to a tailored, feminine silhouette. Crafted from Barbour's iconic Thornproof cotton, it has stylish detailing, including a signature tartan lining and a chic, sit-down corduroy collar.

Whilst the Beadnall is made from 6 oz Thornproof wax cotton, the Classic Beadnell, a modified version of the original women's Beadnell style is also available, created from Sylkoil wax cotton, for a slightly lighter finish.

With all of the classic features you've come to expect from the Beadnell, the Classic Beadnell features the same distinctive cord collar, multiple pockets and the option to turn back the sleeves to reveal the tartan lining.

Whether you opt for the Beadnell or the Classic Beadnell, each can accommodate a zip liner to enhance warmth and a hood to keep you dry in wet weather.

Practical and stylish, the Beadnell is a good transitional piece that looks just as stylish with jeans and boots on your off-duty days as it does when paired with your office attire and a takeaway coffee cup on your commute.

Bedale

A style icon, the Barbour Bedale is a core staple of the Barbour wax jacket collection.

Designed by Dame Margaret Barbour, it is named after a small market town in North Yorkshire, emphasising the brand's continued loyalty to its North East roots.

When it was first introduced, the Bedale was aimed at the equestrian market, so it is cut to a short-length for ease when riding. Featuring rear vents, another nod to horse-riding, it also has a Nylon inner 'drip-strip' to prevent moisture from the horse from seeping into the jacket.

This classic year-round piece is cut from 6 oz, medium-weight Thornproof wax cotton and much like the Beadnell that it inspired, it allows for liners and a hood to be added for extra shelter from the cold weather.

Available in a selection of classic colours, the Bedale is an investment piece you'll be reaching for for years, whether off horse-riding or simply out for a countryside stroll.

Beaufort

Introducing the Beaufort, a stylish, practical men's jacket with a unique cut and design. First introduced into the Barbour range in 1983, the Beaufort is another of Dame Margaret Barbour's designs.

Although the Beaufort shares a sporting history with the Bedale, it differs slightly in that the Bedale features vents perfect for equestrian wearers, while the Beaufort houses a functional full-width rear pocket.

This oversized jacket has a timeless country aesthetic. Its Sylkoil outer has a showerproof wax finish that's tough enough to take on the great outdoors and its inner is classically finished with iconic Barbour tartan, crafted from 100% cotton.

Although it's a year-round staple, the oversized nature of the Beaufort makes it one of the best Barbour jackets for winter, with plenty of space left for layering underneath.

Brave the weather in style by adding a Beaufort wax cotton jacket to your outerwear wardrobe this season!

Ashby

An updated version of the Bedale, the Ashby is the most popular Barbour men's jacket at CHO.

First introduced into the Barbour family in 2011, this modern, year-round jacket is crafted from medium weight 6 oz Sylkoil wax cotton. It boasts a matte finish for a comfortable, lived-in feel.

Cut to a more tailored fit than other wax jackets in the Barbour collection; it has many eye-catching, practical features such as a storm-fly front, a sit-down collar, throat-strap and hand warmer and large bellow pockets.

A stylish addition to any distinguished gentleman's wardrobe, whether heading to a festival, watching the big game, or just wanting to stay warm as you head into the office, the Ashby is the stylish companion you need to carry you through the seasons.

Corbridge

Named after Corbridge in Northumberland, the Corbridge wax jacket was designed for men looking for a structured, contemporary jacket that offers the comfort and protection required for being outdoors whilst braving the elements.

Compared to other Barbour wax jackets for men, the Corbridge offers a slim, tailored fit and houses a quilted Nylon lining that is super warm without being bulky.

Smart and stylish, this jacket has a four-pocket utility design and is finished with an integrated hood inside its funnel collar, a perfect line of defence against wet weather, which can be easily stored away as soon as it dries.

Available in a selection of classic shades, including the brand's iconic olive green, add one to your outerwear wardrobe today to find the perfect coat to carry you through the cold weather season, whatever your pursuit.