Best Barbour Women
Barbour International Women's is one of the most versatile outerwear ranges available at OD's — and one of the most frequently asked-about brands in our store. The quilted jackets in particular strike the right balance of weight, warmth, and visual quality to work across a wide range of occasions.
This guide covers the key styles we stock, how to size them, what occasions they suit, and how to style them across the seasons. Prices throughout reflect our current in-store and online retail.
1 | Why Barbour International for Women?
Barbour International sits in a specific gap in the women's outerwear market: premium enough to feel considered, versatile enough to work across multiple contexts, British enough to carry genuine heritage credibility, and priced between high street and luxury. That's a well-defined niche and the brand fills it well.
The Heritage Argument
Barbour International was developed for motorcycle racing from 1936 — supplying the British ISDT team. Steve McQueen wore the brand in 1964. That heritage is genuine rather than constructed, and gives the brand a credibility that newer alternatives can't replicate.
The Practical Argument
Barbour International quilted jackets are lightweight, packable, and warm enough for UK autumn and spring. They work as standalone jackets or mid-layers. The construction quality justifies the price over multiple seasons of use.
The Style Argument
The motorcycle-inspired design language — dark palette, stand collar, zip pockets — is more versatile than the classic country Barbour aesthetic. It works in town, at the weekend, and at casual events without looking specifically outdoorsy.
Price Range at OD's
£100–£400. The core quilted styles — International Quilt and Ariel — run £130–£200. Premium wax styles and leather-trim pieces sit £200–£280. Occasional sale pieces from £100.
2 | International Quilt — The Versatile Choice
The International Quilt is the most commercially successful style in the Barbour International Women's range — and for good reason. It's a lightweight quilted jacket that sits at the intersection of casual and smart-casual, works as a standalone piece in mild weather and as a mid-layer in cold weather, and comes in a palette that pairs with most wardrobes.
International Quilt Specs
- Shell: lightweight quilted nylon (shower-resistant)
- Fill: high-loft synthetic insulation
- Collar: stand collar with zip closure to chin
- Pockets: two front zip pockets + one inner zip pocket
- Weight: approx. 450g — light enough to pack into a bag
- Warmth: suitable for UK autumn/spring standalone; winter mid-layer
- Colours: black, midnight navy, dark olive (seasonal variation)
- Price at OD's: approximately £150–£170
Who the International Quilt Suits
- Women who want a smart-casual jacket that transitions between work and weekend
- Those who travel and want a packable jacket that doesn't crease
- Women who want urban style without an overtly sporty aesthetic
- Anyone who finds the classic green Barbour too rural for their lifestyle
The Layering Option
The International Quilt is at its most useful as a mid-layer over a merino crew neck under a longer wool coat in November–February. As a standalone piece it works well from March to May and September to November in a UK climate.
3 | Ariel Quilt — The Tailored Option
The Ariel Quilt is cut slimmer than the International — a more tailored silhouette through the body that suits women who want a fitted rather than relaxed outline. It uses the same quilted nylon construction but the cut is more form-following.
Ariel Quilt Specs
- Shell: lightweight quilted nylon
- Fill: synthetic insulation (same weight as International)
- Fit: slim — more tailored through the waist and hip than the International
- Collar: funnel neck or stand collar depending on season
- Pockets: two front zip pockets
- Warmth: equivalent to International Quilt
- Colours: classic dark palette with seasonal additions
- Price at OD's: approximately £140–£165
International Quilt vs Ariel — Which Fits Better?
Choose International Quilt if...
You want more room for layering underneath. You prefer a relaxed, slightly boxy fit. You plan to use it as a mid-layer over chunky knitwear in winter. You have a fuller upper body.
Choose Ariel if...
You want a fitted silhouette that follows your shape. You wear it over slim base layers or light knitwear. You have a slim-to-regular build and want the jacket to look tailored rather than casual.
4 | Wax Jackets — The Heritage Option
Barbour International also offers wax cotton jackets in the Women's range — most notably the Duke, which carries the original motorcycle jacket silhouette in waxed cotton. These are heavier, more structured, and more weatherproof than the quilted styles.
Wax Jacket Notes
- Material: traditional waxed cotton — genuinely windproof and water-resistant
- Weight: significantly heavier than quilted styles — approx. 900g–1.2kg
- Warmth: cold-weather outer layer, not a mid-layer
- Care: do not machine wash. Brush clean. Re-wax periodically with Barbour wax (available separately).
- Price at OD's: approximately £200–£280 depending on style
- Lifespan: decades with proper care — wax jackets are long-term investments
The Re-waxing Option
Unlike synthetic jackets, a Barbour wax jacket can be professionally re-waxed to restore water resistance and extend its life indefinitely. Barbour offer a re-waxing service at their South Shields factory. A well-maintained wax jacket should outlast any synthetic alternative by many years — the long-term cost-per-wear is genuinely excellent.
5 | Sizing Guide
Barbour International Women's runs true to standard UK sizing across most styles, but there are a few fit notes worth knowing.
Sizing Notes — Barbour International Women's
- Quilted styles (International Quilt, Ariel): True to UK size. Size up by one if you plan to layer chunky knitwear underneath.
- Ariel specifically: Slim fit — if you are between sizes, the larger size is usually the better choice
- Wax jackets: Slightly generous — the wax cotton has no stretch and the cut allows for layering. Your standard size is usually correct.
- Sleeve length: Standard women's proportions — designed specifically for female arm lengths, not shortened men's cuts
- Size range: UK 8–20 across most styles, though availability varies by season and delivery
If you're shopping online and unsure between sizes, the safest option is to come into OD's and try the current styles in-store. Our team at 44 Barrow Street know the fit of each style we carry and can advise specifically.
6 | Styling Barbour International Women's
The Barbour International quilted jacket is one of the most versatile outerwear pieces because its design language — darker, cleaner, more urban than classic Barbour — doesn't lock you into a specific aesthetic. It works across:
Weekend Casual
International Quilt over straight-leg jeans, crew-neck sweatshirt, and clean leather trainers. The quilted jacket elevates the outfit without requiring formality. Navy or black works equally well here.
Smart Casual
Ariel Quilt over a merino crew neck or rollneck with tailored trousers and ankle boots. The Ariel's slimmer cut reads more elevated — appropriate for informal lunches, gallery visits, or casual work environments.
Country / Outdoor
International Quilt as a mid-layer under a longer wool overcoat on colder days. Or standalone on brisk walks where a heavier coat would be too warm. The shower-resistant shell handles drizzle well.
Travel
The packable lightweight construction makes Barbour International quilted jackets particularly good travel pieces — they pack small, weigh little, and look considered even after time in a bag. Black is the best travel colour: matches everything and doesn't show transit marks.
Colour Choice
Black is the most versatile — pairs with everything and reads most urban. Navy works well in the same contexts but leans slightly more classic British. Olive is the most distinctively Barbour International colour — it reads fashion-aware without being garish. For a first Barbour International jacket, black or navy is the safe investment.
Shop Barbour International Women's at OD's
7 | Frequently Asked Questions
Which Barbour International jacket is best for everyday wear?
The International Quilt is the most versatile everyday choice for most women. It's lightweight enough to not feel bulky, warm enough for UK autumn and spring standalone, and pairs with a wide range of outfits from casual to smart-casual. If you want a slimmer, more fitted silhouette, the Ariel Quilt is the better option. Both are available at OD's Designer Clothing.
Are Barbour International jackets waterproof?
The quilted styles are shower-resistant rather than fully waterproof — the nylon shell repels light rain and drizzle but will eventually wet through in sustained heavy rain. The wax cotton styles are genuinely water-resistant for more serious weather. For the UK climate, the quilted styles are sufficient for the majority of daily outdoor use. If you need a fully waterproof jacket, a technical shell (Gore-Tex or equivalent) is a better choice than a quilted style.
How do I care for a Barbour International quilted jacket?
Machine wash on a cool, delicate cycle. Turn inside out before washing to protect the outer shell. Do not tumble dry — reshape and air-dry flat or on a hanger. Do not iron directly on the quilted shell. For spot cleaning, a damp cloth is sufficient for surface marks. The synthetic fill may clump slightly after washing — gentle reshaping while damp and thorough air-drying resolves this.
Do Barbour International women's jackets run small?
The quilted styles run true to UK sizing. The Ariel Quilt has a slim fit — if you're between sizes or plan to layer underneath, size up. The International Quilt has more room and is more forgiving. Our team at OD's can advise on specific current-season styles — visit us at 44 Barrow Street, St Helens, Mon–Sat 9am–5pm.