Barbour store: how to choose a waxed jacket, vest and size at Ski Sises
If you typed "barbour shop" into the search bar, your doubt probably isn't about the brand anymore. It's about the model: which waxed jacket, how much warmth it needs inside, what size to take over the sweater you wear in winter. The Barbour selection at Ski Sises can be browsed online and tried on in the Biella store. For men there are the Bedale, Ashby, Beaufort, Reelin and Ogston waxed jackets. For women, Modern Beadnell, Milda and Annandale. The selection is rounded out by zip-in gilets, wool knitwear and a few waxed cotton hats.
If this is your first Barbour and you'll wear it almost every day, start with a classic waxed jacket. Try the size on over the sweater you actually wear. If you already own a waxed jacket, what you're often missing is warmth, not a second jacket. A gilet that zips in on the inside works with what you already have and takes up less space in your wardrobe.
More than waxed jackets: how the Barbour selection is built
In the Barbour collection at Ski Sises waxed jackets are the most visible part, but not the only one. There are coats, gilets, sweaters and cardigans, shirts, T-shirts, shorts, hats and scarves, for men and women. The materials are cotton, wool, polyester and polyamide. Alongside winter pieces you'll find items for spring and autumn, for summer and for year-round wear.
Barbour itself presents its wardrobe as a set of light layers, easy-to-wear shirts and carefully made knitwear, to be combined across coast, countryside and city. For the buyer, that means following a simple order: the jacket first, then what goes under or inside it, accessories last. The items in the catalogue are made in the United Kingdom, China, Vietnam and Indonesia. If the country of origin matters to you, check it item by item.
Waxed cotton: what it protects against and how much care it needs
Not all waxed jackets use the same fabric. For the Ashby and Milda, the product pages list 6 oz Sylkoil. For the Ogston, they list Oban waxed cotton, with a matte finish reminiscent of suede. The Ashby page also mentions a comfortable, lived-in feel, very different from the touch of a synthetic shell.
Waxed cotton works in light rain in the city, on a damp day in the countryside or on an easy trail. It is not, however, a technical membrane shell. If you have to stay out for hours in driving rain, the right category is a different one: a technical waterproof jacket.
The wax also asks for a little care. For the Milda and the Brackley hat, the product pages rule out washing and indicate only a damp sponge. If you want a piece you can put in the washing machine, the Casual Corbridge gilet in 100% cotton washes at 30 °C. It isn't waxed, though, and the page doesn't present it as protection from the weather.
Bedale, Ashby, Beaufort, Ogston or Reelin: which men's waxed jacket
Among men's jackets, colour matters little in the choice. What changes is the cut, the length, the warmth already built in and the room left for layers.
| Model | What the product page says | Makes sense if | Before you buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedale | 6 oz waxed cotton, relaxed and shorter fit, rear vents, two-way brass zip, compatible with thermal liners and optional hoods | you want a short jacket to complete with a liner in the cold months | the shorter length covers less when it rains |
| Ashby | 6 oz Sylkoil, a slightly more tailored cut than the Bedale, tartan lining, compatible with zip-in liners | you prefer a tidier cut but want room for a sweater | try the size over the knit you will actually wear |
| Beaufort | Waxed cotton, corduroy collar, double-slider zip with button closure, tartan lining, full-width back pocket | you need roomy pockets for walks and days out | the product page does not state the length: ask for it or check it when trying it on |
| Ogston | Oban waxed cotton, integrated quilted gilet, tartan wool-blend lining, leather elbow patches | you want a winter wax jacket that is already warm, without separate layers | in mild-season weather it risks being too much |
| Reelin | Winter version in waxed cotton with a quilted lining | you want a wax jacket with the warmth already built in | on mild days the fixed warmth cannot be removed |
The Bedale Wax Jacket Men's Sage was designed around the needs of horse riding, short and relaxed. The product page describes it as a year-round jacket. On its own it covers the mid-season, and with a thermal liner it gets you through winter. The Ashby follows the same logic with a slightly leaner cut. If your doubt is precisely between these two, the guide to choosing the Barbour Ashby for men goes into the details of the fit.
Products mentioned in this article
The Ogston and Reelin make sense if you spend long stretches outdoors in winter, for example on weekends in the countryside. For short trips between home, office and car, the fixed warmth risks being excessive. In that case a Bedale with a removable gilet leaves you more margin. Then there is the Steve McQueen, an International Workers Wax with a quilted check lining and adjustable cuffs, inspired by the American actor and racer. Its look is less tied to the countryside and closer to the world of motorbikes.
Barbour for women: short jacket, trench or quilted
The Modern Beadnell reinterprets the Beadnell, the women's version born from the success of the Bedale. It has waxed cotton, a ribbed corduroy collar, tartan lining and a feminine silhouette. If you are looking for the traditional short wax jacket from Barbour, the comparison starts here.
The Milda takes the form of a trench. It has a belted waist, a zip hidden beneath the snap buttons and a back length of about 109 cm. It covers far more, which helps in the rain or over a skirt. In the car or on a bike, though, you will notice that length.
The Annandale is a diamond-quilted jacket with a velvet collar. The product page does not describe it as waxed cotton, so it does not need wax care. For the same reason, it should not be chosen for the weather protection you would expect from a waxed jacket. If you need an extra layer, the Betty Women's Gilet has a fleece lining and deep pockets to keep your hands warm.
Zip-in gilets and knitwear: the warmth your waxed jacket is missing
The Bedale and Ashby are described as compatible with Barbour liners. The Polarquilt Waistcoat Zip-In Liner Men's Olive Gilet combines diamond quilting with a fleece lining, with a polyamide outer and a polyester lining. You can zip it inside a compatible jacket or wear it on its own over a shirt. The Warm Pile Lining Waistcoat Zipin does the same job in beige fleece. Before ordering, check that your jacket has the inner zip for the zip-in system.
Products mentioned in this article
With knitwear, weight makes the difference. The Patch Zip Thru in 100% lambswool is described as a heavy garment. It keeps you warm, but under a close-cut waxed jacket like the Ashby it takes up room, so factor that in when you try on your size. The Tisbury is a crew neck made mostly of lambswool, with silk, viscose and polyamide, to wear on its own or under a jacket. It should be hand washed. The Pima Cotton Crew Neck in 100% cotton is the alternative for mid-seasons or if you do not like wool against the skin. If price also matters in your choice, the article on how to navigate the Barbour sale helps you avoid comparing garments that serve different functions.
Barbour size guide: what to compare with your measurements
The Barbour guides are in centimetres. The men's guide runs from XS to XXL and lists chest, waist, sleeve and neck. In the M, the chest is 96–102 cm and the neck 41–42 cm. The neck matters mainly for shirts.
For jackets, compare your body measurements with those of the garment. The Ashby in size M measures 117 cm across the chest and 77,8 cm in back length. The difference from your 96–102 cm body measurement is the room left for a shirt and sweater. The Bedale uses a different numbering: the 38 worn by the model also measures 117 cm across the chest, with a back length of 76,2 cm. Do not assume that 38 and M are equivalent on every model. Check the size chart for the jacket you are interested in.
The women's guide uses UK numbering from 6 to 22, which corresponds to sizes XXS to 4XL. In place of the neck, it lists the hips. The 12 corresponds to the M: chest 93–98 cm, waist 77–82 cm, hips 102–107 cm. On a trench like the Milda, the hips matter more than usual, because the garment falls well below the hip line.
Take your measurements with a soft tape, over a thin shirt. Measure your chest at its widest point, your waist at its narrowest, and your hips at their fullest. If you fall between two sizes, decide based on what you'll wear underneath. With a heavy sweater or a zip-in liner, go for the roomier size.
Try on a Barbour in the Biella store or order it online
If you already know the model and size, ordering online is the fastest route. Shipping within Italy is free over 50 € and delivery is quoted at 1–4 working days. You can request a return within 14 days of receiving your order.
Trying it on in person is worth the trip in some cases: if it's your first Barbour, if you're torn between two different lines such as Bedale and Ashby, or if you want to see a jacket and a zip-in liner together. Wear the sweater you'll use most often. Then raise your arms, sit down and zip everything up to the neck. These movements show you whether the jacket pulls across the shoulders or rides up at the back. Customer service supports you before and after your purchase, even for a simple question about sizing.
If you have to decide quickly, remember one thing: a waxed jacket you'll wear over different layers should be chosen to fit over your thickest layer, and color comes second. With that in mind, you can compare models in the Barbour selection at Ski Sises.
FAQ
Where can I buy Barbour with help choosing my size, in Biella or online?
Ski Sises offers a Barbour selection for men and women in its Biella store and online. In the store you can try the jacket on together with the sweater or liner you'll wear underneath. Online, shipping within Italy is free over 50 € and you can request a return within 14 days of receiving your order. For advice on sizing before you order, you can write to servizioclienti@skisises.it or call +39 015 405464.
Is a Barbour waxed cotton jacket waterproof?
Waxed cotton protects well against light rain and damp, and it suits the city, the countryside and walks. It is not equivalent, however, to a technical membrane shell designed for many hours in pouring rain. For hikes in harsh weather you need a technical waterproof jacket. On models such as the Milda, the instructions rule out washing: the waxed cotton is cleaned with a damp sponge.
Is Barbour a Scottish brand? Why do many jackets have a tartan lining?
Barbour belongs to J Barbour & Sons Ltd, owner of the Bedale brand, for example, and presents itself as British heritage. The tartan in the lining of models such as Ashby, Beaufort, Ogston and Modern Beadnell recalls the brand's Scottish heritage, as the product descriptions indicate. It is an aesthetic and identity detail: it does not change the jacket's protection or warmth.
In the women's Barbour size guide, which number corresponds to M?
In the Barbour women's size guide, which uses UK sizing from 6 to 22, a M corresponds to a size 12. The body measurements are chest 93–98 cm, waist 77–82 cm and hips 102–107 cm. For a long jacket or a trench coat, check the hips above all. For a short waxed jacket to wear over a sweater, consider the room across the chest.
Can I add a hood or a warm liner to my Barbour waxed jacket?
On several models, yes. The Bedale is described as compatible with thermal liners and optional hoods, and the Ashby with Barbour zip-in liners. Waistcoats such as the Polarquilt Waistcoat Zip-In Liner or the Warm Pile Lining Waistcoat Zipin attach on the inside to add warmth, and you can also wear them on their own. Before buying one, check that your jacket has the compatible internal zip.
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