Barbour Ashby or Bedale? Lifestyle vs Classic Collections!

A video response to the question what is the difference between the Barbour Ashby/Bristol Lifestyle Wax Jackets and the Barbour Bedale/Beaufort Classic Wax Jackets

The Bristol and Ashby are the Lifestyle Collection versions of the Classic Collection Beaufort and Bedale jackets To understand the main differences between the jackets you have to understand the differences between the Lifestyle and Classic Wax Collection.
Lifestyle Jackets tend to be more expensive, slimmer cut, letter sized (…S, M , L…), practical features are sacrificed for stylistic features, they are seasonally sold (or sold out rather) and tend to be Made outside the UK.
Classic Collection Jackets tend to be cheaper , broader cut, numerically sized (…97cm/c38, 102cm/c40…), have more practical features, can be purchased anytime of the year and, for now, MADE IN ENGLAND. The Bristol and Ashby have a strong appeal to younger trendy buyers who tend to want a good looking jacket for urban living. The biggest practical features I miss on Ashby and Bristol jackets are the articulated sleeves that make the Bedale and Beaufort more comfortable to wear.
All four jackets are 6 ounce medium weight wax cotton, have two way zips and have about the same amount of pockets. Ashby is 30 to 31.5 inches, slimmer and longer cut than Bedale which is 28 to 32 inches. Ashby lacks the Sleeve Articulation, lacks true raglan sleeves because of the extra seam on top of the shoulder , lacks a storm cuff, and lacks true riding flaps. The Ashby’s rear vent flaps are mere decorations on the Ashby and quite silly to have on a jacket that is relatively long. The Bristol at 32.5 to 34 inches long was for me too impractical to purchase. To make it the slim and sexy modernized Beaufort, the Bristol lacks the big rear game pockets, lacks articulated sleeves, lacks a proper neck gaiter, lacks sleeve gaiters, and lacks true raglan sleeves. I also found the corduroy collar to be quite floppy and cheaply made compared to the Beaufort.
This is in no way saying the Ashby and Bristol are bad jackets over all. If you only want a cool jacket to wear for a year or two and high cost and low design-quality are no issue for you then these are your jackets. If you want practical features, high design-quality but don’t mind a broadly cut jacket that you will want to keep and wear for decades then the Bedale/Beauforts are for you.