Harrington jacket : the original!

A few months ago (perhaps even 2 years ago) at a show, I stumbled across a “Harrington” stand. I was surprised to see that it was a brand, and a French one at that! The “Harrington” was a fashion icon from my college years, and was linked, in my mind at least, to punk culture, not a brand, and could only be English! Hence my surprise.

The Harrington is back!

It’s been back in many shops for a few months now. So I became interested in it again when I tried to discover its origins, and why, if it was a brand, did other brands like Ben Sherman or Fred Perry make them, too? (both English brands, too, you see!)

Starting the search

Starting point: I got in touch with one of Harrington’s managers. He gave me a brief outline of the brand’s history as an answer to my questions. And another surprise: he kept coming back to English culture! So really, how could it be French? I could see this question made them uncomfortable, so I took a different direction in my research…

The original!

A little later, broaching the subject with a fan of English fashion, I discovered another brand, this time very English, who claim to have invented the “Harrington”: Baracuta! So I continued my search in that direction. I got in touch with one of Baracuta’s representatives who answered my first question very clearly: “Harrington in France? We are the TRUE and Original. Ask me some questions and I will be delighted to tell you the real story”. I seemed to be heading in the right direction. And his answers to my following questions let me discover the origins of the “Harrington” name.

Here’s the story

Baracuta has been around since the 30’s, and became particularly well-known for the quality of its raincoats. One of its styles, a jacket, is called the G9. It’s a sort of short raincoat: it is made of waterproof material and its length is particularly well-suited to playing golf (hence the G), which is what it was designed for.

So why do we call it a “Harrington” if its name is the G9? Well, it’s a nickname, which started to be used much later. In the 60’s, there was a very popular series on American TV: “Peyton Place”. It was the first series to be broadcast early in the evening (at primetime). They made 514 30-minute episodes between 1964 and 1969. One of the characters, Rodney Harrington, was played by Ryan O’Neal. And he wore a G9!

At the time, John Simmons owned a famous store in London called “The Ivy Shop”. He was the first person to call the jacket a “Harrington”, referring to the series. And as is often the case with a popular nickname, it spread, and has stuck! And that’s why today we still call this jacket the “Harrington”. Isn’t that a great story?

Characteristics

As this jacket was designed for playing golf, it’s side pockets are deep and angled. Now you know what it was designed for, can you see why? Yes, for golf balls! And the sleeves have no seams on the shoulders to allow freedom of movement. Baracuta’s Harrington has two features which are patented (unlike the name): the tartan, whose design is specific to Baracuta, and the umbrella-shaped rear, designed to allow water to run off the back of the jacket without wetting your trousers!

Harrington, music, sport and cinema

To come back to my college years, I discovered this jacket was worn by the Clash during a concert in Times Square in 1981! And that’s the reason why it is part of the punk and general rock look. It has also been worn by Liam Gallagher, Franz Ferdinand, Razorlight and Pete Doherty. And more recently we have seen Mr. James Bond, Daniel Craig, and sports stars such as Thierry Henry wearing them out and about.

So now, just like me, you now know all there is to know about the “Harrington”, so here are some addresses you can buy the Baracuta “Harrington” in Paris from. RRP: €189