Sorry Uniqlo, Zara Just Whipped Up the Year’s Best Affordable Barbour Dupe

Among enthusiasts and insiders, Aaron Levine is known as a menswear guru. He made Club Monaco relevant, revitalized Abercrombie and helped establish the Madewell men’s collection.

Lately, he has been developing his own self-titled label while continuing to serve as a brand consultant, resulting in collaborations that never disappoint. The latest is with the fast fashion pioneer Zara, and it encapsulates what the designer does best.

Zara

These days, Zara operates at a relatively tame pace compared to Chinese competitors like Shein and Temu. It strikes a balance between intriguing design and affordable pricing, which is where Levine excels.

The collaboration capsule strongly reflects the adored designer’s personal style — which is well documented through his medium of choice: the airport bathroom mirror selfie. Everything is cut loosely but still strikes flattering silhouettes. Tailoring is presented in a casual manner, blending with vintage-inspired pieces and cozy staples.

Zara

One of the standout pieces is the Combination Collar Technical Parka, which incorporates elements from a Cold War-era mil-spec parka and a barn jacket, while fitting like an elevated car coat.

A barn parka

The Combination Collar Technical Parka has the type of non-specific utilitarian look that Barbour is known for, but comes at half the price.

It isn’t quite as long as an M51 fishtail parka, dropping to about the mid-thigh with a flat hem, but it provides ample coverage for adverse weather.

Zara

The contrast collar is lined with a soft polyester and wool blend that, along with creating an interesting texture, provides warmth when secured with a single snap at the collar points. It works in unison with the snap storm flap covering the front zipper.

The two exterior pockets are slanted with flaps, just as you would find on an M51, and an interior pocket is also included.

Two of the most interesting features are found on the back of the jacket. There is a large locker loop that allows for easy hanging, and the back is vented, similar to an original World War I-era trench coat.

Availability and price

Of course, certain sacrifices must be made to offer a design like this at such an affordable price. The obvious drop off from Barbour and other highly durable jackets is the shell material, which is a 70/30 cotton and polyamide blend.

Zara

While the Combination Collar Technical Parka will provide moderate weather resistance, it won’t stand up nearly as well as a quality waxed canvas jacket. The collar fabric is also a step down from cotton corduroy or pure wool.

That said, this jacket exemplifies what Levine does best. It looks like something made by an expensive European or Japanese brand, which would likely use higher-quality materials and presumably more robust construction, but charge quadruple the price.

The Combination Collar Technical Parka is now available from Zara for $250 and is only offered in olive drab. It, along with the rest of the Aaron Levine x Zara collection, serves as a more affordable alternative to the designer’s eponymous brand.

Zara

Aaron Levine x Zara Combination Collar Technical Parka

• $249 at Zara

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