Creating a capsule wardrobe will ease the dreaded daily dressing process.
This process should be about investing in timeless essentials that can be mixed and matched for easy styling. Your capsule wardrobe should include a strong pair of straight-leg jeans - did someone say Levi’s 501s? There should also be a pristine white T-shirt (Sunspel’s your best bet), a black blazer and a pair of classic loafers. And, when the transitional season hits, a Harington jacket is essential.
It’s your saving grace when it’s too hot for an overcoat yet too cold to go without a top layer. The best styles will be weatherproof too – the fabric should be hardy enough to keep a light shower at bay while the signature button collar will deal with the wind-chill factor. And, if you choose a versatile shade of black, navy or neutral, it will work with pretty much everything else in your wardrobe.
Whichever you pick, you’ll be joining a long list of A-listers in the all time big menswear leagues who are proud stans of the silhouette: James Dean, Elvis, Marlon Brando and Steve McQueen to name but a few. And, more recently, everyone from Liam Gallagher to Bradley Cooper and Timothée Chalamet has been spotted in their own take.
One brand they’ll all be familiar with is Baracuta. Baracuta is to Harrington jackets what Levi’s is to denim and Burberry is to trenches – it’s impossible to imagine one without the other. The Manchester-based label actually invented the now ubiquitous staple, originally named the G9 jacket, back in 1947 as outerwear for golfers, which offers protection from the rain but doesn’t limit swinging movement.
It wasn’t until 1964 that it was christened the Harrington – it’s actually the sixties sitcom Peyton Place where the name originated, where character Rodney Harrington wore a G9 in almost every episode. And since then, it’s been adopted by pretty much every counterculture movement going, from the mods to the rockers to the punk movement and Britpop lads.
Now, there’s a huge range of brands with their own take on the classic. Baracuta is still a go-to, as well as preppy labels like Gant and Ralph Lauren, which have collegiate-coded options, while Cos delivers on the high street front. Whichever you pick, we’re sure it will be in your spring outerwear rotation for years to come.
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Baracuta G9 Harrington Jacket Navy
Since it’s the original design, the first spot on any round-up should be reserved for Baracuta’s G9. It’s as classic as it gets. It has the trademark neck strap, the two-way zip, the raglan sleeves and the signature tartan lining. But that’s not to say there’s no innovation – it’s now crafted using the brand’s patented Coolmax fabric for better breathability.
We love a classic navy, but if it doesn’t take your fancy, there are over 40 colours to choose from, including racing green, heritage blue and rust.
Buy now £360.00, Mr Porter
Levi’s Backer Harrington Jacket
Though Levi’s is best known for jeans, the brand’s collections go far beyond denim alone. Case in point: this Harrington jacket. It’s timeless in every sense of the word, standard fit and collar, included – and the neutral shade will easily slip into your weekly outerwear rotation without a hitch.
Buy now £100.00, Levi’s
FRIZMWORKS Buddy Cropped Cotton-Blend Twill Harrington Jacket
The cropped fit is becoming increasingly popular for guys – just take a look at the internet’s boyfriends Paul Mescal and Jacob Elordi to see what we’re talking about. So, why not go for this jacket by Frizmworks, which has been given the boxy 2025 upgrade? And it doesn’t stray too far from the original thanks to its tartan lining, versatile shade and two-button collar fastening.
Buy now £225.00, Mr. Porter
Barbour Steve McQueen Rectifier Harrington Jacket
For a countrified take, there’s no place better than Barbour. This time, it’s a Steve McQueen-inspired harrington that’s been given a rural-coded corduroy neck piece and ring-pull zipper.
Buy now £179.00, Barbour
Simone Rocha Duchess Satin Harrington Jacket
London-based designer Simone Rocha has taken the quintessentially British staple to a whole new level. It’s a gorpcore-meets-eveningwear take which pairs an elegant duchesse satin with outdoorsy details like elasticated toggles and XL flap pockets. One for the fashion-obsessed.
Buy now £1395.00, Mr. Porter
Gant Cotton Harrington Jacket
Gant is the best for the classics, whether you’re after an Oxford shirt, some chinos or a polo neck. So, naturally, it’s a go-to for Harrington jackets too. The embroidered crest monogram gives it the brand’s trademark Ivy League-coded makeover.
Buy now £265.00, Gant
Cos Water-Repellent Harrington Jacket
If you’re not yet familiar with Cos, consider this your introduction. The London-based, Scandi-owned high-end high street brand is known for elevated takes on everyday pieces, be it a quality T-shirt or a great pair of jeans, or, indeed, this Harrington jacket. You’re welcome.
Buy now £155.00, Cos
Boss Cotton-blend jacket with Double B monogram
The brand we once knew as Hugo Boss is now separated into two labels, Hugo and Boss. The former offers more street style-inspired collections aimed at the younger market, while the latter has a more elevated aesthetic. As you might expect, this stylish monochrome jacket with an understated tonal monogram is Boss.
Buy now £289.00, Boss
Polo Ralph Lauren Twill Windbreaker Jacket, Navy
As with Polo Ralph Lauren’s entire collection, this jacket is full-force American prep. Lean into the vibe with straight-leg chinos and an Oxford shirt.
Buy now £269.00, John Lewis
Studio Nicholson Lyons Jacket
There are only a handful of brands which you’d be able to wear from head to toe and look like a menswear pro no matter what your outfit, and Studio Nicholson is one of them.
The London-based label’s collections are stylish from start to finish, thanks to the strong shapes and premium fabrics which the designer Nick Wakeman uses throughout. This Harrington is no exception, with its voluminous silhouette created using a Japanese nylon-cotton blend.
Buy now £550.00, Studio Nicholson
