What Is Sizing Like at Barbour?

The Barbour fit philosophy

Barbour runs true to size in most lines and oversized in others.

Waxed jackets (Bedale, Beaufort, Border)

These are the icons, and they're the roomiest things Barbour makes. Waxed cotton has zero stretch and zero give, so the cut compensates with extra space across the chest and through the body. If you're wearing it over knitwear in winter, take your true chest size and let the room do its job. If you only ever wear a shirt underneath and want it neater, you can size down one — but don't go mad, because you'll lose layering ability entirely.

Quilted jackets (Liddesdale, Powell, Chelsea)

The quilted range fits noticeably trimmer than the waxed jackets, closer to a modern everyday cut. The Powell in particular is a slim quilt that sits nicely under a coat or on its own with jeans. For these, stick to your true size — sizing up here tends to leave you swimming.

Tailored and slim fits (Ashby, International Slim)

Barbour cottoned on years ago that not everyone wants the agricultural silhouette, so the Ashby and the slim-fit Internationals give you the waxed-cotton look with a sharper, more fitted body and a slightly shorter length. These are the ones to reach for if you're tall and lean or you want that town-not-country vibe.

Quick sizing rules that'll save you a return

• Know your real chest measurement. Barbour labels both ways — numeric (38, 40, 42) is your chest in inches; S/M/L maps to those numbers, so a 40 is usually a Medium.

• Layering = size up; town wear = true to size. Decide what's going under it before you choose.

• Sleeves run long. Heritage cuts have generous arms for reaching and working — fine for most, worth checking if you're shorter in the arm.

• Waxed cotton never stretches. What you buy is what you get for the life of the jacket, so don't size down hoping it'll "give."

• Quilts and knits fit slimmer than the waxed line. Don't assume one Barbour size carries across every product.

What to buy and what's on trend

The big shift right now is men wearing waxed jackets in town rather than just in a muddy field. The styling has loosened up — a Bedale over a hoodie and trainers reads far fresher in 2026 than the old Barbour-and-cords country uniform. Olive and rustic brown still lead, but the navy and black waxes are quietly having a moment for anyone who wants something more urban. If you're buying your first, a mid-length waxed jacket in olive is the most versatile thing you can own; it goes with everything and ages beautifully.

Brands worth knowing if you love the Barbour look

Barbour sits in a brilliant little world of British and European outerwear. Here's where I send clients depending on budget.

High street

• Marks & Spencer — their waxed and quilted jackets fit true to size and are sharply priced. A genuinely good entry point if you're not ready to commit to the real thing.

• Joules — leans into the same country-meets-casual aesthetic, with quilts and waxes that pair effortlessly with the Barbour wardrobe. Sizing is on the generous side, so take your normal.

Independent & boutique

• Private White V.C. — Manchester-made British outerwear of seriously high quality. The cut is modern and clean, true to size, and the construction rivals brands twice the price.

• Cordings of Piccadilly — proper old-school British country outfitter. If you want heritage tailoring and covert coats done the traditional way, this is the place. Fit is classic, so size up if you're layering.

• Grenfell — a quietly brilliant maker of weatherproof British coats with a tailored, refined fit. Worth a look for something a touch dressier than a Barbour.

Designer & luxury

• Belstaff — the obvious luxe counterpart, born from waxed motorcycle jackets. Cut leaner and more biker-inflected than Barbour, so try before you commit on size.

• Mackintosh — the original rubberised raincoat house. Minimal, architectural and beautifully made; the fit is slim and contemporary, so consider sizing up for layering room.

Stop guessing your size — match your body to Barbour in seconds

Barbour's cuts swing from agricultural-roomy to genuinely slim, which is exactly why so many men get the size wrong first time. That's where Tellar comes in — the UK's leading sizing tool, matching your exact body to over 1,500 brands instantly. Measure once and never squint at a size guide again.

• Measure once using chest, waist or your existing brand size

• Get your precise size in any brand — COS, Reiss, Everlane, Arket and more

• Shop with confidence: no guesswork, fewer returns, better-fitting kit

• Always free, no downloads — it works straight in your browser

And alongside the tool there's the Tellar Fashion Hub: a library of free posts from our top stylists. Honest. Unbiased. Independent. Always free — style advice, top picks and the best brands, with no sponsorship pulling the strings.

Find your Barbour sizeHow to measure

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