A Jacket That’s Transcended the Test of Time: the Anatomy of a Bedale

There is perhaps no more iconic Barbour piece than the Bedale. First produced in 1980, the Bedale was designed by Chairwoman Dame Margaret and was emblematic of the companies transition from just being a supplier to English farmers and sportsmen (not to mention soldiers in two different World Wars), to becoming a lifestyle brand. The jacket was the first of its kind for the brand: short, lightweight, and made for riding.

Named after a small market town in North Yorkshire, the Bedale featured a shorter length and rear vents for freer movement, a lighter 6 oz waxed cotton still insulated with nylon layer for water resistance, and the now trademark corduroy collar that can be worn up with the throat latch for windy days. Barbour’s family registered cotton tartan of course lines the interior and ribbed cuffs finish each sleeve.

The result was the perfect transitional jacket, substantial enough for protection against the elements, but light enough for everyday use no matter the climate. For those of us here in Los Angeles, it’s the perfect “seasonless” jacket to throw on going to the office, take off during the day, and shield us from the cold in the evening. For those in regions with more extreme seasons, the jacket is an excellent layering piece and also is designed with snap-on hoods and zip-in liners that specifically designed to reinforce the coat.

The two-way zip provides more versatility in how the Bedale can be worn, and probably the most underrated feature of the jacket is the hand-warmer pockets lined with moleskin for extreme comfort and optimally positioned for resting your arms when standing or walking in the cold. According to company lore, the two “bellows” pockets of the jacket perfectly fits a bottle of champagne. 

Part of the beauty of the Bedale is its slightly tailored body & shoulders, which gives the jacket its sleek trademark look, so for a more tailored fit to wear casually with a tee shirt or more formally with a button down, we recommend going true-to-size to achieve a more fitted look. If planning to layer the coat, we advise going up in your usual size to give yourself some extra room. 

The Bedale is available now in classic olive and also black online & in studio. [matching detachable hoods are also available for purchase to customize your jacket]