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Barbour Bedale or Beaufort for the vertically challenged?

20K views 15 replies 11 participants last post by  Danny  
My advice would be to plump for the Bedale.

I own two Bedales and one Beaufort. I am 5'-7", not that much taller than you, and about 145-150lbs. I find that I wear the Bedales about twenty times as often as the Beaufort. Yes, the latter does cover a sports jacket better, but that is not a very important consideration for me. I own any number of topcoats and overcoats that will do the job of covering my sports jackets admirably well. And it seems you too are going to be wearing these jackets with more casual clothing. I use the Barbours exclusively with casual clothes.

Since I do not hunt, the game pocket is not of much use. I do collect first editions, so perhaps I could slip a book or two I've bagged into the pocket, in lieu of game, LOL.

For men at the shorter end of the height spectrum, like you and I, the longer Beaufort offers a less flattering silhouette or line than the shorter Bedale. And it is easier to manage when slipping into a car seat. So overall, the advantage is to the Bedale.
 
Congratulations in advance on your incipient Bedale! I hope you will get as much enjoyment as I do wearing it. It's a great outer garment, no question.

You might do well to keep an eye out for online sales of Barbours, eBay and such, and see if you can snag a second-hand, or even NOS Beaufort. At a lower price, it is not too much of a gamble to try one and see if you like it. As many of our friends here on AAAC have remarked, the Beaufort has its uses and its advantages. But a Bedale seems a good choice for you, for starters.

Some time ago, I posted a picture of the Prince of Wales in a patched-up, bedraggled John Partridge field coat he uses for gardening. I'm sure you could find a Beaufort in slightly better condition online, LOL. Here is the POW:

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