Barbour women's jackets: how to choose between a short waxed jacket, a quilted jacket and a long coat
If you are looking for a women's Barbour, it makes sense to choose the type of garment first and the color only afterwards. A short waxed jacket, a lightweight quilted one, a vest and a long coat work in very different situations, even when they share the same green and the same corduroy collar. Among the women's models in the Barbour selection from Ski Sises, these four options have a precise name: Modern Beadnell, Annandale, the Betty vest and Milda.
To get your bearings quickly: do you need an outer layer to wear every day in autumn, over jeans and a sweater? Start with the short waxed jacket. For dry days, or as an extra layer under a coat, the quilted jacket or the vest works better. If you often walk in uncertain weather, the Milda covers more: the back measures about 109 cm.
Women's Barbour: four garments that work in different ways
In photos they might look like variations of the same garment. They are not. The table reports what the product pages say and stops there, without adding unstated performance.
| Model | Construction listed on the product page | When it makes sense | Limitation to consider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modern Beadnell (Sage) | Waxed cotton, corduroy collar, classic tartan lining, feminine silhouette, multiple pockets | Everyday use in autumn and the city winter | Short: in the rain, thighs and legs are left uncovered |
| Annandale (Olive) | Diamond-quilted outer shell, figure-following seams and a corduroy collar for a refined, flattering look | Mid-season, dry days, a layer under a roomy coat | The product page does not list a waxed or protective fabric |
| Betty vest (Dark Olive) | Fleece lining, deep patch pockets, contrast embroidery | Over a shirt or sweater, when you want warmth on the torso and free arms | On its own, it does little on truly cold days |
| Milda (Fern/Sage/Tartan colorways) | 6 oz Sylkoil waxed cotton, trench-style cut, belted waist, back length of about 109 cm | Getting around on foot in changeable weather, a more structured look | The length becomes uncomfortable when seated in a car or on a bike |
The short waxed jacket: Modern Beadnell and its kinship with the Bedale
Anyone looking for a women's short Barbour almost always ends up at the Beadnell, and its origin explains a lot. According to the Bedale product page, in 1980 Barbour produced its first short, lightweight jacket, designed for the needs of horse riding, with a relaxed fit and vents at the back. The popularity of that model inspired a scaled-down version for women, the Beadnell, named after a small fishing village in Northumberland.
The Modern Beadnell reinterprets it in a contemporary way: waxed cotton, a corduroy collar, tartan lining and a feminine silhouette. Its real strength is the length. It looks good over a crew-neck sweater and stays in proportion with straight or slim-leg trousers.
The flip side is just as clear. In persistent rain, everything below the hem gets wet. And the weather protection the product page credits to waxed cotton is not the same as a waterproof membrane. If you're also interested in the more classic waxed jackets, the comparison of Bedale, Ashby and Reelin explains how they differ.
When trying one on, wear the thickest sweater you'll use in December. Raise your arms, then cross them in front of you: the cuff should still cover your wrist and your back shouldn't feel pulled. If the jacket already feels tight over a thin knit, you'll leave it in the closet in the depths of winter.
Annandale and the Betty gilet, when you don't need the wax
Not every women's Barbour jacket is waxed. The Annandale is a quilted jacket with the classic diamond quilting on the outside and seams that follow your shape. Since the product page doesn't state a protective fabric, think of it for dry October days, for the in-between seasons, or as a layer under a coat with a little volume. The product page gives no care instructions: check the inner label before the first wash.
The Betty gilet takes the original Betty Liner and adds a fleece lining for more warmth, plus deep patch pockets where you can keep your hands. It works if you feel the cold mainly around your torso, or if you want something to wear over a flannel shirt without the bulk of sleeves. Thinking of wearing it under a jacket? Try them on together. The product page says nothing about compatibility with other models, and a lined gilet adds volume under the arms.
Milda, if you also want to cover your hips
The Milda is inspired by the Solway and brings waxed cotton to a trench-coat cut. On the outside is the 6 oz Sylkoil, the signature waxed fabric of Barbour jackets. It fastens with a zip hidden under snap buttons, and there are bellows pockets on the front. With the belt at the waist you can define your shape, or leave the garment loose.
It makes sense if you walk a lot, often wear skirts or light-colored trousers you don't want to splash, or want a structured piece that also holds up for an office look. Sitting in a car or on a bike, though, all that length bunches up over your legs. One more thing to know beforehand: the product page forbids washing and only allows sponge cleaning. The steps for keeping it in good condition over time are in the guide on how to clean and rewax a waxed cotton jacket.
Women's winter Barbour: you build warmth with layers
The product pages for women's jackets don't list insulation values, so don't expect a single piece to do everything. For a city winter, a lined waxed jacket with a wool sweater underneath may be enough. If you head out at dawn or stand still outdoors for long, a fleece gilet under the jacket makes a big difference, as long as the waxed jacket's size leaves room.
On the coldest days, accessories help too. The Carrbridge scarf is a wool and cashmere blend in a large-scale tartan. The Brackley hat, in wide-brimmed waxed cotton, is recommended by the product page for light rain and damp weather, not for a downpour. It too is cleaned only with a damp sponge.
If instead you live at altitude or often spend hours in rain and wind, the Barbour remains a city and country garment. There you need a technical shell with a membrane.
How to read the Barbour women's size guide
The Barbour size guide for women is in centimetres and runs from 6 to 22, with equivalents from XXS to 4XL. Compared with the men's guide, it adds hips to chest, waist and sleeve. Take your measurements and compare them with the chart, rather than starting from the size you usually wear.
Measure yourself wearing a thin top. On a short jacket like the Modern Beadnell, chest and sleeve matter most. On the Milda, the hips count for more, because the garment falls below the pelvis and has to close without pulling when you walk. If you are between two sizes, what you will wear underneath decides: shirts and light knits allow the smaller size, while thick sweaters or a lined gilet call for the larger one.
The fit of outerwear is easier to judge when you move than in front of a mirror, which is why it is worth trying it on in store with the sweater you will really wear. If you order online, customer service is available even before you buy, and you can request a return within 14 days of receipt.
Sage, olive or fern: which green works with your wardrobe
If you are looking for a green Barbour for women, you will find several shades. The Sage of the Modern Beadnell is a lighter sage green. Olive and Dark Olive, on the Annandale and the Betty gilet, are deeper. The Milda pairs fern and sage with visible tartan. A light green brightens grey, denim and beige. A dark one goes more easily with brown and midnight blue. Before letting the photo guide you, open your wardrobe.
If you need to decide quickly: one piece to wear every day, a short waxed jacket. Frequent rain while you walk, a long waxed jacket. Coat already at home but missing a layer, a quilted jacket or gilet. You can find available sizes and colours in the Barbour collection at Ski Sises, where you can compare the women's models with the product pages in hand.
FAQ
Is a women's Barbour waxed jacket waterproof?
The Barbour product pages credit waxed cotton with protection from the elements, which is not the same as the waterproofing of a technical membrane. It is a garment designed for town and countryside in changeable weather. To stay out for many hours in driving rain or strong wind, a technical shell with a membrane is more suitable.
What is the difference between the Barbour Bedale, Beadnell and Modern Beadnell?
The Bedale is the short, lightweight jacket made by Barbour since 1980, designed with horse riding in mind. Its popularity inspired the Beadnell, a smaller version for women named after a fishing village in Northumberland. The Modern Beadnell is a contemporary reinterpretation of the Beadnell in waxed cotton, with a tartan lining and a feminine silhouette.
For winter in the city, is a waxed or a quilted Barbour better?
If you often head out in damp weather or light rain, a waxed jacket with a wool sweater underneath is the most sensible choice. A quilted jacket like the Annandale, whose product page doesn't state a protective fabric, works better on dry days, in the in-between seasons, or as a layer under a roomy coat.
How do I take my measurements for a women's Barbour jacket?
The women's Barbour size guide is in centimetres, from 6 to 22, with equivalents from XXS to 4XL. Measure your chest, waist, hips and sleeve length while wearing a thin top, then compare the values with the chart. For long styles, give more weight to your hips. If you fall between two sizes and plan to wear thick sweaters or a gilet underneath, choose the larger one.
Can a waxed Barbour jacket be machine washed?
No. For waxed cotton pieces such as the Milda jacket or the Brackley hat, the product pages prohibit washing and recommend cleaning only with a damp sponge, so the waxed finish stays intact. Always check the care label before treating a specific garment.
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