On Sale at JC Penney: The $50 Barbour Bedale Look-alike

Update: Whoa, hi there, MFA and FMF! If you like this post, you may also like “The Curriculum.” Also, be sure to check out my eBay and Yoox searches, and past posts about sales and product reviews.

I agonized a bit over the title of this post–do I call it a Barbour “homage”? Or a Barbour “clone”? I almost published with the word “knock-off”: not untrue, but maybe also not giving this coat its due.

The coat is called the Redford, and belongs to JC Penney's Stafford Prep line, introduced by their now-departed Creative Director Nick Wooster. Part of Wooster’s attempt to revitalize JC Penney’s reputation for lackluster style, Stafford Prep features what Ivy Style calls “prep-inspired basics at rock-bottom prices” – and an updated, more modern fit. Wooster’s short-lived stint ended when JC Penney booted CEO Ron Johnson after a disastrous tenure that saw plunging sales. By many accounts, JCP seems intent on washing their hands of their former CEO’s legacy, so it’s no surprise that the entire Stafford Prep line is on clearance.

I was a bit hesitant to share this coat because typically I’d recommend forgoing copycats and going for the real thing. You’re generally better-served by a wardrobe made up of a few exceptional items rather than a closet full of mediocre garments. However, it’s easy to buy into the #menswear hype around certain “essentials”, drop a large sum of hard-earned money–and then find those items don’t really fit with your style. Clothes languishing in your closet because you don’t wear them are the most expensive purchases you can make.

It’s nice to have cheaper look-alikes that you can try out for a season or two to see if something is right for you. I did this myself with chocolate brown suede chukkas – I bought a cheap pair from Overstock, wore them hard, and came to appreciate their versatility and stylishness. After I wore through them, not only was I more comfortable spending a bit more for a longer-lasting pair, I also knew exactly what I wanted in that higher-quality pair, ultimately settling on the Loake Pimlico.

This is where I think there’s a place for the Redford coat, especially for those on tight budgets (talking to you, college students). Another alternative I should mention: checking eBay and local thrift stores for used Barbours. Either way, if it turns out that waxed field coats aren’t right for you, instead of the typical $380 retail price for new Barbour Bedales, you’re only out $50 –a much easier hit to take when you drop it off at a local coat drive.

The Stafford Prep Redford is $47 right now with promo code FALLAIR. Shipping is $8, or you can have it delivered in-store for free. It may also be cheaper in-store with the upcoming Black Friday madness. But there is no way I’m going to be anywhere close to a JC Penney over the next few days–I want to live.

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