The Harrington Jacket has for many years been an iconic piece in regards to Men’s fashion. The instantly recognisable piece has always boasted a waist length fit, a straight collar and most importantly a tartan lining and it is these main characteristics that has made the Harrington the truly iconic British piece it is today. The Harrington Jacket has been enjoyed and adapted throughout the decades since its conception in the 30’s, with a variety of materials and colour ways providing a clothing backbone for multiple generations.

There is slight controversy regarding the founders of the Harrington Jacket, with most sources claiming that John and Isaac Miller of Baracuta constructed the first Harrington style Jacket in 1937. However, another English company named Grenfell states that they initially made the same style in the early 30’s. Regardless of its founder, the Harrington Jacket was quickly adopted by golfers thanks to the inherent design that successfully kept rain away from the wearer without compromising style, as well as angled pockets that were ideal for holding golf balls. This initial adoption by golfers quickly expanded outwards towards more fashion related wearers to become a truly iconic menswear garments across a whole range of cultures and generations. Although successful in its early stages, the Harrington Jacket gained truly exponential growth thanks to a man named John Simons, a menswear retailer who is credited with bringing the classic “Ivy League look” to the UK. Simons is also attributed with popularising the term “Harrington” after seeing an actor playing the role of Rodney Harrington in the TV series Peyton Place.

In the 1950’s, Baracuta (an initial creator of the Harrington) began exporting the iconic piece to the United States and before long, Ivy League students began using the Harrington as a signature piece of the “preppy” look. The fact that Elvis Presley wore the Harrington in the film King Creole only furthered people’s enthusiasm about the simple Jacket. Although the Harrington Jacket was growing substantially in the US, the true heritage of the piece is solidified in the mod movement of the 1960’s and transferred through the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s across the likes of the Scooter boys, Punk and Ska. This association with themed cultures and movements has allowed the Harrington Jacket to continue its popularity into the new millennium.

Looking at the Jacket itself, the Harrington’s cuffed waist length, straight zip and classic internal tartan make it instantly stand out against a plethora of Jacket designs and silhouettes. A wide range of materials, cuts and contrasts have been produced over the Harrington’s rich history but the main essence of the piece is always maintained no matter what. The Harrington is a truly British piece and its quintessential characteristics and heritage mean that it will always be adopted by generations to come. 

To view our current range of Harrington Jackets from Pretty Green in both a navy and burgundy colour-way, head to https://www.aphrodite1994.com/ to have a closer look.