Bedale Jacket
The short-length waxed cotton riding jacket is Barbour's defining silhouette, still the piece the brand is best known for over a century on.
Explore the Bedale →Brand profile
Barbour
British heritage outerwear label founded in 1894, best known for waxed cotton and quilted country jackets.
South ShieldsOrigin
UnisexFocus
Workwear / HeritageStyle
$$$Price
19 brands like Barbour like Filson, Orvis, Woolrich →
What to know about Barbour
Three jackets carry the house
The Bedale, Beaufort and Border waxed cotton jackets are the reference points, with quilted styles like the Liddesdale as the lighter alternative.
Built to be re-waxed, not replaced
Barbour runs its own re-waxing and repair service, so a jacket is priced as something you maintain for years rather than wear out.
Sailors' oilskins to street staple
It started supplying oilskins to South Shields sailors and dockworkers in 1894 and now sits between country dress, outdoor gear and prep, plus capsules with streetwear labels.
The pieces that define Barbour
Shop Barbour →
Diamond Quilted Jacket
Barbour's diamond-quilt outerwear sits alongside the wax jackets as a country-wardrobe staple recognised anywhere.
1 live now · from $150
Explore quilted jackets →
Transport Jacket
A Barbour Icons revival of the brand's motorcycling and workwear heritage, tying back to its origins outfitting riders and dockworkers.
1 live now · from $360
Explore the Transport →Shop Barbour
Shop all Barbour ↗Available atSSENSE · END. · Cultizm · Railcar · DeeCee style
How Barbour fits
Overall fit
runs small
Barbour waxed jackets are widely reported to fit fairly trim through the chest, so many buyers size up to allow room for the mid-layers the jackets are designed for.
Tip: Size up if you plan to layer knitwear or sweaters underneath the waxed jackets.
High confidence · based on 25 sources
By category
| Category | Runs | Shape | Size advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shirts & overshirts | true to size | regular | Take your usual size; shirts generally fit as expected. |
| Jackets | runs small | regular country cut, fairly trim through chest and arms | Order one size up from your usual jacket size to fit a jumper underneath. |
Directional fit consensus summarized from public sources with AI — a starting point, not a guarantee. Confirm with the product's own measurements before buying.
If you like Barbour
See all 19 brands like Barbour →
88% matchFilson
American waxed-cotton equivalent, workwear-rooted
What changes: Heavier Tin Cloth and wool, logging rather than country-field cut
82% matchOrvis
Field-sport outfitter with the same country-gent wardrobe
What changes: Broader fly-fishing gear and softer sportswear, less iconic jacket
76% matchWoolrich
Wool-led heritage outdoor, parkas over waxed jackets
What changes: Italian-run fashion direction and buffalo-check wool focus
75% matchFjallraven
Waxed G-1000 cotton with Scandinavian trekking bias
What changes: More technical hiking function, less town-and-country styling
Barbour fit questions
Does Barbour run big or small?
Barbour runs small. Size up if you plan to layer knitwear or sweaters underneath the waxed jackets. Barbour waxed jackets are widely reported to fit fairly trim through the chest, so many buyers size up to allow room for the mid-layers the jackets are designed for.
How does Barbour fit?
Barbour waxed jackets are widely reported to fit fairly trim through the chest, so many buyers size up to allow room for the mid-layers the jackets are designed for. Overall shape: regular to relaxed country cut.
How do Barbour shirts & overshirts fit?
Barbour shirts & overshirts fits true to size. Take your usual size; shirts generally fit as expected. Shape: regular.
How do Barbour jackets fit?
Barbour jackets runs small. Order one size up from your usual jacket size to fit a jumper underneath. Shape: regular country cut, fairly trim through chest and arms.
Brand facts
Barbour, formally J. Barbour & Sons, is a British outerwear maker founded in South Shields in 1894 by John Barbour, initially supplying oilskins to sailors, fishermen and dockworkers. It remains family-controlled and headquartered in the North East of England. The core range centres on waxed cotton jackets — Bedale, Beaufort and Border — plus quilted styles such as the Liddesdale, tartan-lined knitwear and country accessories. The company also runs the Barbour International motorcycling line and an in-house re-waxing and repair service, and works regularly with streetwear and outdoor labels on capsule collections.
- Founded
- 1894
- Origin
- South Shields, United Kingdom
- Made in
- United Kingdom, China
- Price
- $$$
- Typical prices
- Jackets $354–$596 · Home goods $418–$455 · Hoodies $134–$230
- Focus
- Unisex
- Facts checked
- August 2026
- Styles
- Workwear / Heritage, Gorpcore / Outdoor, Urban prep / Ivy