Barbour's Bedale Jacket Just Keeps Getting Better
SHOP $400, eastdane.com and barbour.com
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Where to begin with Barbour? Maybe the British brand's storied history. How, early on in the last century, it helped innovate weatherproof outerwear by imbuing cotton jackets with wax to help them shield everyone from sportsmen—another way of saying "fancy guys who hunt"—to early motorists from the elements. Or maybe something more visceral: How that waxing process leads to outerwear that takes on a truly beautiful patina, once you've worn and re-waxed it for years. Or I could (ahem) wax philosophical about the fact that it's pretty impressive, the whole "devising a means of keeping folks dry nearly a century before anyone whispered 'Gore-Tex' into the wind" thing.
But here's where I'm actually going to start: with a simple value proposition. Barbour makes jackets that really are worth your money. That's what this whole column is about, right? And though it's constantly in contention with its sibling, the Beaufort, the Bedale is one that's tough to beat. So, let's get to it.
It really does get better with wear.
I know. I know. You've heard this song and you've seen this dance before. When it comes to menswear clichés, it's the undisputed champ. But—but!—have you ever taken a close look at a truly well-loved Barbour jacket? Have you seen the way the fabric patinates, offering up that same sense of personalization you get from your trustiest jeans? I'm talking creases and color changes and all that good stuff that makes a piece of clothing feel entirely yours, while simultaneously making it look objectively cooler. (I mean, a mustard stain feels personal, but it's not exactly catnip for the 'gram.) And the great thing about it is, all you have to do is wear it. Speaking of...
SHOP $400, eastdane.com and barbour.com
It does the job.
The "job" being to keep you warm. And dry. And, if it's not too much trouble, thank you very much, looking good while you're at it. The Bedale's waxed cotton exterior does more than fend off the rain; it locks in the heat while blocking the wind, too, meaning that you don't need much in the way of insulation to feel thoroughly protected from the outside world when you're wearing it. Find yourself outside on a particularly frigid day? Layer a sweater underneath; the relaxed cut will accommodate it just fine. Caught in a late-spring downpour? You'll likely be perfectly comfortable with just your jacket. And when the balmy summer months finally arrive, re-wax it (Barbour has a whole instructional page laying out the process), put it to the side for a bit, and break it out again when the weather demands.
It's surprisingly versatile.
Barbour, in general, has a bit of an "English country estate" vibe clinging to it, not least of all because the brand has proven quite popular on English country estates. But you don't need to be a part of the landed gentry to wear one. Certainly a Bedale—with its classic lines and slightly shorter, equestrian-inspired cut—will look good with the sorts of tweeds and checks and sport coats you might wear while riding a horse or shooting at a grouse. But, man, it might hit even better when you pair it with a boxy tee and some cropped chinos. Or, wait, how about a high-waisted trouser and a hang-loose cardigan? Hell, it'll even look great with a T-shirt and jeans. Some items are so damn classic they close the loop, shaking off the fustiness to become something new: a piece of design beloved for its form and generally unencumbered by old associations and connotations. The Bedale is on track to do just that. Now the only trick is writing your own chapter in its history book. Better make it a good one.
SHOP $400, eastdane.com and barbour.com
Prop styling and photography by Allie Holloway
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