When it comes to men’s jackets, it is hard to find one more dynamic and storied than the Harrington. The iconic piece of outerwear has been worn by the likes of Elvis, James Dean, and Bonds both past and present. Part of what makes the piece so appealing (and timeless) is the fact that it rides the line between being clean, but not too self-serious or persnickety.
Defined as a short jacket with a collar, a baggier fit, and a tight waist – the term ‘Harrington’ encapsulates jacket styles like the flight jacket, and even the bomber. For the purposes of this piece, however, we’re more concerned with the classic Harrington. A lightweight or thin cloth with a cinched waist and a simple zipper up the front. Whether you’re looking for something for wearing out for drinks on the weekend or a lightweight piece for wearing in to work this fall – the Harrington is more than worthy of consideration. And for your convenience, we pulled together a list of the best Harrington jackets out there.
River Island Blue Zip-Up Harrington
Simple jacket with a polyester and viscous blend fabric. Rather than going for side-pockets, this blue zip-up boasts little more than a slash pocket on the left breast. The simplicity of the whole thing makes it an ideal jacket to pair with any casual outfit, or a slightly more formal (but still laid-back) one. Yet, while it boasts a low price – it isn’t low maintenance. A dry-clean only piece.
Burton Burgundy Raglan Harrington
Not quite the red jacket that James Dean sported in Rebel Without A Cause, but for all intents and purposes pretty darn close. This Harrington is cut from a polyester cotton blend fabric, has the classic stand-up button collar, elastic cuffs and waist, and slanted welt-pockets with flaps. The proud burgundy color makes it an ideal piece to wear with more basic clothes and colors.
Topman Black Harrington Jacket
Just about as straight-forward as they come. This jacket is cut from a cotton fabric, features a contrasting plaid lining, elastic hem and cuffs, and two slash flap pockets along the side. Despite the overall simple look, the contrasting interior lining makes it easy to add a bit of personal flair to the jacket by cuffing the sleeves. All things said a solid, quality made representation of a tried and true style.
Paul Smith Harrington Jacket
If you are looking for a much more paired-down version of this classic Harrington silhouette then you should consider this piece from Paul Smith’s PS collection. Other than a buttoning stand-up collar, the jacket offers little in terms of detailing – just a simple metallic zipper that opens up the cotton polyester exterior. Ideal for wearing with darker outfits in the fall or spring.
Lacoste Cotton Gabardine Harrington Jacket
We can’t imagine a better jacket for hanging out around the house or a cafe on a weekend morning. This simple, lightweight piece from Lacoste is made with a gabardine fabric and features an elastic waistband. Ideal for cool mornings that turn into warmer afternoons – this jacket features a breathable back panel as well as a buttoning stand-up collar. The flap pockets that sit just above the waist of the jacket utilize interior zips for more security.
Club Monaco Herringbone Linen Harrington
One of the nice things about lighter weight jackets is that they can be worn both during the warmer time of year, and when the temperature dips low. This, in part, is why we like the herringbone linen jacket for Club Monaco. Its linen fabric construction makes it ideal for wearing during mildly cool summer mornings or dark summer nights. It features a simple build without any pockets, a stand-up button collar, and elasticized cuffs and waist.
Baracuta G9 Original Harrington Jacket
If you are looking for a classic Harrington, this is about as close as you can get to the original thing outside of going to a vintage shop. Made by Baracuta, this old school cotton shell jacket boasts a water repellent finish and coolmax lining that help beat back the elements to keep you comfortable. The coolest thing about this jacket, however, has to be the fact that it is the exact same style that was turned out of New England factories in the late 1930s.
Folk Melton Rab Jacket
What sets this piece from Folk apart from the rest is its use of a top quality Italian Melton Wool. The thick, textured fabric makes for a slightly more resilient jacket in colder weather. Other than the wool, however, Folk kept it simple with this Harrington jacket. It only offers up an understated left breast pocket and a high-contrast metallic two-way zipper with collar.
Sunspel Cotton Linen Harrington Jacket
Cut from a soft linen blend sourced from Italy, this jacket takes on an incredibly soft, worn-in feel even after only a few weeks of casual wear. In addition to the two slant pockets on the side of the jacket it also features an interior one for storing more valuable items. Its super lightweight construction makes it ideal for wear in the morning or evenings during the summer.
Paul Smith Harrington Zip Through Jacket
Thanks to its use of pure wool fabric, this jacket is more on the heavy side and ideal for wearing during cooler times of the year. It features a somewhat less-clean look than others thanks to the large flap pockets along the waist. For those who trend more towards the bomber-jacket style, the pockets are a welcome touch. The main accent on the jacket, however, is the metallic exposed zipper running right down the middle. Ideal for wearing with denim.
Harvey Nichols Leather Harrington
Harrington jackets and flight jackets have always been similar in terms of their cut. Their chief difference, however, has usually been the material used. Harrington jackets often opt for a lightweight cotton, while flight jackets use leather or a nylon material. This one from Harvey Nichols blurs the line a bit by combining a straight forward Harrington jacket cut with a leather exterior and cotton lining. A simple, clean-looking piece.
Thom Browne Taped Seam Mackintosh Harrington Jacket
A pure cotton build with stylishly engraved brass buttons on the jacket’s flap pockets and cuffs. In addition to these simple accents, the jacket features a red, white, and blue stripe bonded to the left side of the collar. All things said an incredibly refined piece – though it is fair to expect as much from Thom Browne.
20 Best Men's Bomber Jackets
The close cousin of the harrington jacket, bombers are ideal for both fall and spring wear. If you’re looking for a something to beat back those falling leaves or chilly winds, try taking a look at our comprehensive list of the best men’s bomber jackets out there.
