Harrington Jackets

A short blouson jacket finishing at the waist, with a stand collar, elasticated cuffs and hem, a zip front and usually a tartan or checked lining. It dates to the nineteen fifties and takes its name from a television character who wore one. The cut has barely changed since, which is why it never reads as belonging to a particular decade.

The collar and the shoulder. A Harrington has a stand collar with a buttoned throat latch and a flatter, more tailored shoulder. A bomber has a ribbed knit collar and a fuller, softer body. Harringtons read slightly smarter. Bombers read more casual. Both finish at the waist with ribbed cuffs.

No. It is a spring and autumn jacket, lined for a little insulation rather than for real cold, and the elasticated hem lets warmth out at the waist. Over a heavy knit it will cover a mild winter day. In genuine cold you want a longer coat, and the Harrington goes underneath it or waits for March.

A plain tee, a polo or a fine knit, with dark denim or chinos below. Keep everything solid, since the tartan lining is the pattern. Turn the collar up if you want the lining to show. Plain trainers or boots. It is a deliberately simple jacket and it reads worst when it is over-styled.

Close through the body with the ribbed hem sitting exactly at the waistband, and the cuff reaching the wrist bone. It should zip comfortably over a fine knit but not over a heavy jumper, since it is not cut as an outer shell for bulk. Send chest, shoulder and sleeve measured over a shirt.

On styles where the lining is selectable, yes, set your sett at checkout. Red based setts are the classic and show best when the collar is turned up. Muted and weathered colourways read quieter. If your family tartan is not listed, send us the name and we will check for it and for sept variants. For a looser workwear cut, see tartan chore coats.