The most ubiquitous silhouettes from the brand, the Bedale and Beaufort Wax Jackets bear striking resemblance to one another and are thus the two you’re most likely to get confused. However, the Bedale preceded the Beaufort by three years, with production starting in 1980 with riding in mind. While the Bedale was designed for equestrian purposes, the Beaufort gleaned inspiration from French shooting jackets, evident in the large rear pocket meant for holding game. Both silhouettes feature traditional Barbour details like waxed cotton, a corduroy collar, two-way zipper and handwarmer pockets. At first glance the Bedale and Beafourt might look identical, but the main difference between the two lies in their length, with the Bedale proving to be shorter by a few inches (the back length of the Bedale measures 30″ to 32″ while the Beaufort measures 33″ to 34″). The Bedale also has elastic cuffs, which the Beaufort has an unconstricted opening.
To add further confusion when it comes to differentiating between the two, there exists a Classic Bedale jacket and a Classic Beaufort jacket, as well as non-classic iterations of both. In Barbour-speak, “classic” is used to indicate a jacket that is made with the brand’s Sylkoil outer, an “unshorn” wax taken directly from the loom then dyed and waxed. As a result, the imperfections of the weave are evident in the color and finish of the fabric.Because of the Sylkoil process, the texture of a “classic” Barbour jacket takes on a more weathered appearance versus the smooth finish of the brand’s regular waxed cotton. Choosing between the two becomes a matter of deciding how much wear one wants the jacket to show, but in Barbour’s eyes Sylkoil is the more traditional fabric, hence the use of “classic” as a qualifier.