Few jackets have traveled as far and wide—and graced the shoulders of as many giants—as the humble Harrington. A hip-length style with a distinctive umbrella back yoke, plaid lining, and two-button collar, the piece was originally conceived as a more flexible alternative to the rigid, formal attire that then dominated golf courses in the UK. When the Manchester-based company Baracuta, the progenitor of the Harrington, designed the jacket in the late-30s, they called it the G9—a straightforward abbreviation for “golf” and “nine holes.”
What’s perhaps most singular about the Harrington is how unsingular it is—that is, it doesn’t belong to any one subculture or time period, but rather appears Zelig-like at fashionable points across history. It’s a style that has felt as much at home with British punk rockers as American Ivy Leaguers, mods and presidents. Arnold Palmer was known to sport an imitator of the G9 from Grenfell, originally known as the Golfer. Ryan O’Neill’s character on Peyton Place wore one, too, such that some American clothiers started marketing the jacket by his name. Perhaps the biggest moment for the Harrington jacket, though, came when Steve McQueen appeared on the cover of Life Magazine, casually riding a motorcycle in an enviably cool, off-white version.
We’re aware of the legacy we’re stepping into with our own take on the Harrington jacket, crafted with cotton cavalry twill (that only gets softer over time) and just the right amount of stretch. So we thought we’d pay our respects to a few of the greats…
