Barbour vs Barbour Intl
Barbour and Barbour International come from the same family business — J. Barbour and Sons, founded in South Shields in 1894. They share a surname, a factory, and a royal warrant. But they are designed for completely different lifestyles, carry different visual identities, and attract different customers.
The confusion is understandable. Many retailers stock one but not the other. Some carry both under the single name "Barbour." This guide untangles the two lines clearly.
1 | Shared Origins, Different Paths
J. Barbour and Sons was founded in 1894 by John Barbour, a draper from Scotland who set up shop in South Shields to serve sailors and dock workers with weatherproof clothing. The wax cotton jacket — the piece the brand is most associated with — was developed in the early 20th century as practical workwear for outdoor workers in the north of England.
Barbour International emerged from Barbour's relationship with motorcycle racing in the 1930s. The brand supplied the British International Six Days' Trial (ISDT) team from 1936, developing protective, weatherproof jackets for motorcycle competition. Steve McQueen wore a Barbour International jacket racing in the ISDT in 1964 — a fact the brand correctly identifies as one of its founding cultural moments.
The Family Tree
- J. Barbour and Sons: founded 1894, South Shields, still family-owned
- Barbour (main line): countryside, fieldsports, equestrian, rural lifestyle
- Barbour International: motorcycle heritage, urban, fashion-forward
- Both lines are made and controlled by the same company
- Both carry the Barbour royal warrant
2 | Barbour — The Countryside Line
The main Barbour line is defined by its connection to British country life. Wax cotton jackets, quilted gilets, cord-collar details, and tartans. The Beaufort, the Bedale, and the Beaufort are the canonical pieces — designed for fieldsports, walking in the wet, and life in rural Britain.
Signature Pieces
Beaufort wax jacket, Bedale wax jacket, Ashby quilted jacket, Cavalry quilted jacket. These are the pieces most associated with the "classic Barbour" customer — green wax cotton, cord collar trim, tartan lining.
Aesthetic
Traditional British country — muted greens, navies, olive. Heritage tartans for linings. Functional details like game pockets and storm flaps. The look is self-consciously rural and British.
Customer
Country landowners, horseriders, dog walkers, field sports participants, and the urban customers who adopt the countryside aesthetic. The brand's cultural association is firmly with the British establishment and rural gentry.
Price
Classic wax jackets run £250–£400. Quilted styles from £130–£250. The wax line is more expensive due to the waxed cotton fabrication and the option of professional re-waxing to extend jacket life.
3 | Barbour International — The Motorcycle Line
Barbour International draws its identity from motorcycle racing, not the countryside. The Steve McQueen ISDT association is the visual and cultural anchor — speed, leather, industrial detailing, urban edge. Where main Barbour is green wax and tartan, Barbour International is black quilting and racer collar.
Signature Pieces
International Quilt jacket, Ariel Quilt, Duke wax jacket, Sprocket quilted jacket. The quilted styles are the commercial heart of the line — recognisable, versatile, and significantly more urban in aesthetic than the main Barbour range.
Aesthetic
Darker palette — black, navy, dark olive. Racing-inspired details: zip pockets, stand collars, biker-style cuffs. The styling is urban and contemporary rather than rural and traditional. Clean enough for the city, edged enough to be interesting.
Customer
Urban women who want a premium British brand without the countryside association. Also motorcycle enthusiasts, vintage racing fans, and anyone who finds main Barbour too traditional. The Barbour International customer skews younger and more fashion-conscious than the core Barbour customer.
Price
Quilted styles from £130–£250. Wax and leather styles from £200–£400. At OD's, current-season Barbour International Women's runs from approximately £130 to £280 depending on style.
Steve McQueen and the ISDT
In 1964, Steve McQueen competed in the International Six Days' Trial in Erfurt wearing a Barbour International suit. Photographs of McQueen in the jacket became some of the most reproduced images in motorsport history. Barbour International uses this heritage deliberately — but the current line has evolved far beyond motorcycle-specific function into premium urban outerwear.
4 | Design and Aesthetic Differences
Barbour — Design Language
Earthy greens, navy, olive. Wax cotton exterior or quilted nylon. Corduroy collar trim. Tartan check linings. Game pockets. Storm flap over zip. The aesthetic signals rural, traditional, British.
Barbour International — Design Language
Black, midnight navy, dark olive. Quilted nylon exterior. Stand collar. Biker zipper details. Clean, minimal lining. No tartan, no cord collar. The aesthetic signals urban, contemporary, motorcycle-adjacent.
On a rack, the two lines are visually distinct. You can identify a Barbour International piece without looking at the label — the design language is different enough that they don't compete with each other. This is deliberate product architecture from the family business: two distinct brand identities sharing a name and a royal warrant.
5 | Fit and Price Compared
Barbour International Women's is cut more fashion-forward than the main Barbour country range. The quilted styles typically offer a more tailored silhouette — cropped or fitted through the body — compared to the more functional, roomier cut of the classic Beaufort or Bedale.
Sizing Notes for Barbour International Women's
- Runs true to UK sizing in most styles
- The Ariel and International Quilt have a slim-to-regular fit — size up if you layer underneath
- Longer styles (parka cuts) run true to size
- Sleeve length is slightly shorter than equivalent men's — designed for women's proportions
- Try in-store at OD's if possible — our team can advise on current-season fit
Price at OD's for Barbour International Women's runs from approximately £130 for quilted mid-layers to £280 for premium wax and leather-trim styles. This positions it competitively against comparable quilted jackets from Moncler, Belstaff, and Hunter — all at higher price points.
6 | Which Line to Choose
Choose Barbour (main line) if...
- You want the classic wax cotton jacket for countryside and outdoor use
- You're drawn to traditional British country aesthetics
- You want a jacket you can have professionally re-waxed to extend its life
- Green, olive, and tartan fit your wardrobe
Choose Barbour International if...
- You want a premium British brand with an urban, contemporary edge
- You prefer black, navy, and darker palettes
- You want a quilted jacket that works in the city without looking country
- You're drawn to motorcycle heritage and racing aesthetics
- You want something distinctly different from classic "green Barbour"
OD's Stocks Barbour International Women's
We carry current-season Barbour International Women's at 44 Barrow Street, St Helens. Browse online or visit us in-store to try the current range. Stock is seasonal — styles vary throughout the year.
7 | Frequently Asked Questions
Is Barbour International the same as Barbour?
They are the same family business — J. Barbour and Sons — but two distinct product lines with different design DNA, different aesthetics, and different customers. Barbour is the classic countryside line: wax cotton, green, tartan, rural heritage. Barbour International is the motorcycle racing heritage line: quilted nylon, darker palette, urban and contemporary. Both carry the royal warrant and are made by the same company in South Shields.
Which is more expensive — Barbour or Barbour International?
Classic Barbour wax jackets (Beaufort, Bedale) run £250–£400 and tend to be priced slightly higher than comparable Barbour International quilted styles. However, both lines overlap significantly in price range. The premium classic wax styles from Barbour are the highest-priced pieces across both lines. Barbour International Women's quilted jackets at OD's start from approximately £130.
Does OD's stock Barbour or Barbour International?
OD's Designer Clothing stocks Barbour International Women's. We do not currently carry the main Barbour countryside range. You can browse our current Barbour International Women's collection online at odsdesignerclothing.com or visit us in-store at 44 Barrow Street, St Helens.
What is the most popular Barbour International jacket for women?
The International Quilt and Ariel Quilt are consistently the most popular Barbour International styles for women. Both are lightweight, packable quilted jackets in a slim-to-regular fit. The International Quilt is slightly boxier and better for layering; the Ariel is more tailored. Both work well as standalone spring/autumn jackets and as mid-layers under a longer coat in winter.
Does Barbour International run true to size?
Generally yes for UK sizing. The quilted styles run slim-to-regular — if you layer knitwear underneath, sizing up is advisable. The wax styles have more room by design. We recommend visiting OD's in-store at 44 Barrow Street, St Helens to try Barbour International pieces before buying, as the fit varies between styles and seasons.