An In-Depth Guide to Harrington Jackets

WHAT IS A HARRINGTON JACKET?

The Harrington jacket is an excellent mix of sporty and elegant. Though it is ideal for the spring and fall seasons, it can be worn all year long (depending on where you reside, geographically). Harrington jackets can come in a variety of colors and materials.

The signature style of this jacket type is a lightweight waist-length outer layer and a form-fitting structure similar to that of a windbreaker. It has a two-button stand-up collar, slanted flap pockets, a zip-up front, elastic ribbed trims at the cuff and hem, and a signature tartan or glen-paid patterned lining.

**Brooks Brothers Navy Harrington Jacket**

A classic Harrington jacket is often navy blue or tan, but nowadays, you can find them in various colorways and fabrics, from linen to canvas, tweed, and suede leather. They are often waterproof (or at least water resistant), so zipping them up to shield you from the wind or rain is a great option. Pay attention to the materials and construction, as not all Harringtons are built for rainy weather.

BEST HARRINGTON JACKET COLORS

With so many color options available, it can be hard to select just one. Your best bet is always anything in a classic neutral color scheme, such as navy, tan, brown, olive green, etc.

Read my article here to learn why neutral colors are the best for men to wear and pair together.

A BRIEF HISTORY

The Harrington jacket received its name from the fictional character Rodney Harrington in a 1957 film and subsequent 1960s television series called Peyton Place. It would later be popularized by Hollywood juggernauts such as Steve McQueen, Elvis Presley, and James Bond.

There is some contention about which English company officially designed the original Harrington jacket; Baracuta claims to have done so in 1937, while Grenfell reports that they constructed it as early as 1931; both are great options, but they are often quite expensive, running upwards of $400.

Regardless of who claims to have invented it first, this jacket type immediately elevates any man's style during the spring and fall seasons because of its sleek, fitted, and sporty design.

CORRECT SIZE & FIT

Harrington jackets come in various fits, from padded and insulated linings, which add bulk, to extremely lightweight and form-fitting designs. Regardless of your preference, proper sizing is essential. Any Harrington-style jacket should fit relatively close to the body (not too tight), and the hem's edge ought to end right at your hips, never appearing cropped if you were to raise your arms.

BEST HARRINGTON JACKET BRANDS

Since its creation, the Baracuta G9 (G for Golf) Harrington jacket has served as the "gold standard" of Harringtons. Still, if you're trying to acquire a more affordable version of this classic jacket type, I recommend a few other brands at a fraction of the price.

Here's the breakdown of Harrington jackets priced from most expensive to most affordable:

GREAT FOR WEARING ALL YEAR ROUND

Harrington jackets are best known for the spring and fall seasons when the need for a jacket or coat is often most prevalent; however, I think there is a place for a classic Harrington all year round, and I hope the following outfit ideas will further prove this fact.

11 WAYS TO STYLE A HARRINGTON JACKET

OUTFIT #1: PIQUE POLO, CHINOS & TRAINERS

This first look features a black Harrington jacket with a deep blue tartan lining. The stark contrast with the white pique polo shirt gives it a bold and classic look that is great for spring. You can enjoy this simple but effective outfit during the day or even at night, as it will provide just enough warmth (depending on where you live geographically).

The ivy green chinos look great with the subtle hints of blue, and to top it all off, I have included some classic aviator sunglasses and sporty German Army Trainers (GATs).

Read my detailed guide here to learn more about German Army Trainers (GATs) and how to style them all year long.

OUTFIT #2: GREEN POLO, WHITE CHINOS & LOAFERS

Here, I am wearing a pair of white chino pants, a green polo shirt, a brown Harrington jacket, and brown leather penny loafers. This chic and sophisticated ensemble is excellent for dates, church, or simply for catching brunch with your friends out in town.

White pants should be in your wardrobe and can be worn every season. Read my separate post here for more ideas on how to wear white pants throughout every season.

OUTFIT #3: BLUE-ON-BLUE DENIM & GATS

**Peter Manning NYC Navy Harrington Jacket**

I love a good monochromatic outfit, and blue is my preferred color (even if the sneakers are white). In this look, I have opted for a classic navy blue Harrington jacket with a vibrant blue tartan lining, a classic blue denim button-down shirt, and medium-wash jeans.

This is the second outfit on this list featuring GATs, and I think they pair nicely to create a (mostly) monochromatic ensemble. Perfect for breezy spring days.

For more information about the best types of spring jackets for men, read this article here.

OUTFIT #4: CREWNECK, JEANS & LEATHER SNEAKERS

Here is another casual way to style a brown Harrington jacket. This neutral-colored ensemble relies on classic blues, browns, and greens. I've included some coffee-brown leather sneakers to complement the jacket's lighter brown tone. They are simple, comfortable, and timeless.

OUTFIT #5: T-SHIRT, STONE CHINOS & WHITE SNEAKERS

Here is a simple Harrington jacket outfit that will stand the test of time: a plain white T-shirt, light gray chinos, a casual ballcap, and a classic pair of white sneakers. Perfect for any casual event, even if it's just to run some errands out in town or to attend a casual date with that lovely woman in your life.

For more ways to style white sneakers, read my separate article here.

OUTFIT #6: GREEN POLO, KHAKI CHINOS & CHUKKAS

Inspired by Steve McQueen himself, I'm wearing a navy blue Harrington jacket, green polo shirt, khaki chinos, and dark olive suede chukka boots. I think dark olive suede boots can replace brown and black boots in any man's wardrobe.

To learn why dark olive suede is the best boot color for men, read this article here.

OUTFIT #7: KNIT-TIE, FLANNEL TROUSERS & SUEDE OXFORDS

Here is a look you might not see very often, but I think it is exceptionally dapper if pulled off correctly. Here is a classic navy Harrington jacket with a tastefully striped dress shirt, boldly striped knit tie, charcoal flannel trousers, and chocolate suede oxfords.

When pairing patterns together, such as the stripes in the dress shirt and the tie, always remember to break up the scales of each to create some distinction between the two. If I wore a tie with an equally scaled set of stripes, it would look too "busy" to the eye, with no apparent definition, which could also backfire if you're not too careful.

OUTFIT #8: SPORTY BUSINESS CASUAL

Here is a classic business casual outfit featuring a navy Harrington jacket, a powder blue dress shirt, a navy Grenadine tie, olive green dress chinos, a dapper wristwatch, and double monk strap leather dress shoes. Of course, don't forget the tie clip, as it will help keep your necktie from swinging freely and add a subtle bit of flair to your outfit.

If you're unsure how to wear a tie clip properly, read how to do so in my guide here.

OUTFIT #9: SWEATER POLO, CORDUROY PANTS & CHUKKAS

Corduroy and sweater polos are great options for the fall season. Here, I am wearing a black Harrington with deep coffee corduroy trousers, a white sweater polo, and dark olive suede chukkas. This cozy and dapper look would be perfect for any date night with your special lady. I have also opted for a simple but versatile wristwatch to complete this look.

If you're curious about which wristwatch you might like to purchase and want to learn more about the different kinds of watch movements, read this article here.

OUTFIT #10: ANALOGOUS THREE-LAYERED FALL DAPPER

Here is another analogous outfit with multiple layers, including a gingham blue dress collar polo shirt as the base layer, a navy blue v-neck sweater as the mid-layer, and a classic navy Harrington as the outermost layer. This can be an excellent option for keeping you warm and cozy in the late fall and early winter. Add your favorite neutral-colored boots, and you're in business!

Analogous colors sit next to each other on the color wheel. This outfit features blue and green, my preferred analogous color combinations.

You can read my guide to basic color theory here, which provides a detailed breakdown of the color wheel and different color schemes.

OUTFIT #11: COZY WINTER JUMPER & FLANNEL TROUSERS

Here is a neutral-colored ensemble that is perfect for wintertime (provided that your climate isn't too unforgivingly frigid). I wear a classic navy Harrington jacket with a cozy cable-knit jumper, charcoal flannel trousers, and brown capped-toe boots. Throw on a warm knit cap, and you're ready to brave the late-year breeze often synonymous with fall and winter.

If you live somewhere that requires a thicker outer garment or coat, check out my other article on the best winter coats for men here.

THE CASUAL & SPORTY EPITOME OF COOL

As you can probably tell, I love the Harrington jacket due to its lightweight nature and form-fitting silhouette. Hopefully, this post has informed you of the neat history behind this stylish men's jacket and given you some inspiration for styling it outside of the springtime months. Regardless of your budget, there are numerous options available to you.

If I could pick one lightweight jacket for the rest of my life, it would be the classic navy Harrington, and I think you should consider owning one to elevate your style to new heights.

"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." - Proverbs 27:17