A look at the Iconic Barbour Beaufort Jacket

Originally designed by Chairman Dame Margaret Barbour in 1983, the Beaufort jacket has remained an enduringly popular staple of the Barbour men’s outerwear range for almost four decades. Well-loved across the world, the unique cut and design of the Beaufort wax jacket has made it one of our most iconic styles. With a wide range of functional and stylish features included to ensure year-round suitability, it’s no surprise that the Beaufort wax jacket has become synonymous with quality and longevity.

Whether you’ve worn your own Barbour Beaufort jacket for years and are looking for new ways to style this classic coat, or are considering adding a Beaufort to your outerwear wardrobe, join us as we delve into what has made this style famous. From its historical style influences to its multi-purpose design features, love the Barbour beaufort as we do by learning more.

What is the difference between a Barbour Bedale Jacket and a Beaufort Jacket?

With a reputation for quality and style across the entire range, it can be hard to know which outerwear staple to choose for yourself, with many struggling to choose between two of our most famous pieces: the Barbour Bedale vs the Beaufort.

ABOVE: Barbour Beaufort Waxed Jacket and Barbour Bedale Wax Jacket

Both best-sellers in their own right since their original creation in the 1980s, the Barbour Beaufort and Bedale jackets both share a sporting heritage, their design inspirations taken from traditional French shooting jackets and horse riding coats respectively. These influences gave both wax jackets their comfortable, relaxed fit, recognisable shorter length and iconic corduroy collar.

The primary design difference in the Barbour Beaufort vs the Bedale can be seen in the back of the jackets, with the Beaufort featuring a highly-functional, full-width rear pocket, while the equestrian history of the Bedale instead called for flexible rear vents. Outside of a sporting setting, these differences add an extra element of functionality and unique style to everyday life, making both waxed jackets a popular choice for men looking to make a statement without sacrificing comfort or convenience.

The features of the Barbour Beaufort jacket

Sitting centrally among the wide and highly-varied men’s wax jackets collection, the Barbour Beaufort shares many of the practical features that this range has been known and respected for over generations. From a showerproof wax finish that fends off stray rain spells, to specially-engineered pockets designed to keep chilled hands protected from the cold, this year-round staple is durable, adaptable and easy to style for a range of occasions.

Medium weight thornproof waxed cotton helps to provide some additional comfort and protection in traditional British weather, with moisture easily rolling off the showerproof finish.

Velcro windproof cuffs, moleskin hand warmer pockets and a studded, storm-fly collar provide effortless protection from cold and windy weather, allowing you to enjoy your stroll through the city, along the coast or in the country without concern for the weather.

The short length, relaxed fit and iconic corduroy collar are as traditional as they are stylish, making the Barbour Beaufort jacket a stand-out style before the rest of the outfit comes into the picture. This unique flair, which is quintessential to Barbour’s iconic heritage, is furthered by the inclusion of classic Barbour tartan in the lining of the coat.

Generously-sized bellow pockets and a large rear pocket lined with wipe-clean nylon are designed with space enough to carry your daily essentials, whether that be spare bags for a dog walk, wallet and keys for a trip into town or fueling snacks to feed your energy on a long walk.

A range of additional accessories including warm, zip-in liners and rain-ready hoods are compatible for use with the Beaufort wax jacket. Cleverly designed to enhance your comfort, these jacket accessories extend the wearability of the coat well into winter, turning it into a versatile staple that can be worn from rainy springs to frozen winter.

Barbour Beaufort Classic vs Original Barbour Beaufort wax jacket

Designed to bring the original Beaufort style to more wearers, the Barbour Classic Beaufort jacket shares many of the same design and practical features of its namesake, with some additional tweaks. Still a functional, versatile piece, the Barbour Classic Beaufort jacket shares the same traditional country styling as the Original, the tartan lining, short length, relaxed fit, corduroy collar and abundance of convenient pocket space marking the shared heritage.

The primary difference between the two iterations can be seen in the material itself, with the Original made using thornproof waxed cotton, while the Barbour Classic Beaufort instead carries an unshorn alternative: sylkoil wax coating. Instead of the clean, glossed finish of the Original Beaufort, this approach gives the Classic a more subtle, matte look which is rich and characterful.

Is the Barbour Beaufort waterproof?

Between the high-quality cotton materials used to craft the jacket, and the careful process used to apply the waxed finish, the Beaufort wax jacket is able to withstand a wide range of British weather conditions, from mist and drizzle to sudden downpours and persistent rains. Even so, this showerproof finish can be worn down over time, so we always recommend renewing the coat's resistance by re-waxing it annually. This is a simple task that can be done at home using essentials from our Wax Care collection and following our step-by-step re-waxing guide.

How to style the Barbour Beaufort jacket

Loved for its relaxed fit and country style, styling the Barbour Beaufort with similarly casual pieces is an easy way to create a seamless, everyday style that is suitable all year-round. Taking the Barbour Beaufort in black as the main element, we’ve created a styled look using complementary coloured pieces including the Neuston Twill Chinos in navy, the Tartan Pique Polo Shirt in white and the Readhead Chukka Boots in tan.

Barbour Beaufort Review

While we love styling the Barbour Beaufort with muted, country classic colours and smart casual wardrobe staples, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to creating an outfit. One of the biggest joys in designing such a versatile and well-loved jacket is seeing how others style it and learning what makes them put on their signature Barbour Beaufort jacket day after day. In the case of the Beaufort wax jacket, the reviews speak for themselves.

“My third waxed cotton jacket. Excellent fit and quality as one would expect.” - Geoffrey B.

“An excellent jacket. I wanted one made in the U.K. and that’s exactly what I received. Size was fine exactly as ordered.” - Nicholas O.

“Absolutely delighted with my purchase. I needed a jacket that lasts a lifetime and being from a manufacturing background myself I appreciated still having a “made in England” range is what sold it to me. My purchase also made me fall in love with your brand as a whole which made me purchase more items from you for myself and my Dad.” - Jordan D.

“I am very happy with my Beaufort, and am looking forward to wearing it for many years to come. The breast pockets are very warm and the coat is a great length to cover a suit jacket.” - Samuel H.

“As one would expect from Barbour, the service and quality is exceptional. There are many who make similar products but none are the same as a Barbour.” - Chris H.

Find your Beaufort jacket at Barbour

A signature style that has remained popular for decades, the Barbour Beaufort waxed jacket is the perfect choice for those looking for a relaxed, everyday jacket that can go with them anywhere. Whether you’re choosing between the Original Barbour Beaufort and the Classic Beaufort styles, or are still unsure whether the Beaufort or the Bedale will suit your needs best, discover our full range of men’s waxed jackets.

It could only be Barbour.