What Is a Harrington Jacket?
The Harrington jacket is best known as Baracuta’s iconic G9. With its clean, streamlined silhouette and the unmistakable Fraser Tartan lining in red and green, the Baracuta G9 is a piece you recognize instantly. Its signature design has inspired countless menswear brands ever since.
Since the 1960s, the G9 has sparked a global style movement that continues to this day—bridging the world of cinema and everyday life, and earning its place as a true staple in the classic menswear wardrobe.
Hollywood icons such as Steve McQueen, Elvis Presley, and Jason Statham have all worn the G9 across different eras.
On screen or off, the G9’s understated, precise lines naturally elevate a look that feels sharp, restrained, and quietly rebellious.
Born in the UK—where damp weather and frequent rain are part of everyday life—the G9 pairs a gentlemanly, tailored fit with real performance: wind resistance and water repellency. Over decades, its timeless look has remained remarkably consistent, yet it continues to connect effortlessly with the style language of each generation. Rebellious yet refined, heritage-driven yet modern, the G9 keeps moving toward the next century.
The Prelude to Baracuta
In 1912, the Miller family had already spent years building deep expertise in rainwear, laying a strong foundation for what would become Baracuta. Prior to launching their own brand, their factory produced garments for some of Britain’s most respected names, including Burberry, Aquascutum, and Marks & Spencer. With discipline and vision, the Millers went beyond contract manufacturing—continually asking how they could improve product quality and build a future of their own.
The Miller Brothers Create a Classic
In 1937, Baracuta was officially founded in the heart of Manchester—one of the UK’s rainiest major cities.
The Miller brothers set out to create a jacket that could stay stylish in Britain’s wet weather. They also chose a distinctive name—one that felt international—because they believed Baracuta would eventually reach the world.
Frequent visitors to Manchester’s golf clubs, the brothers noticed a real problem: golfers needed comfort and freedom of movement, but raincoats and trench coats felt restrictive—especially on wet days. They saw an opportunity for a more practical, more comfortable golf jacket.
After careful development, they introduced their defining creation: the “G9 jacket.” The “G” stands for Golf, and the “9” references the nine holes of a golf course. Still, the brothers wanted something more—a signature detail that would set Baracuta apart. They approached Scottish nobleman Simon Fraser—the 15th Lord Lovat and 25th Chief of Clan Fraser—to request permission to use the clan tartan as the jacket lining. In 1938, Fraser agreed, and the legendary G9 was born. From that moment, Baracuta began its journey toward becoming a maker of true classics.
From the G9 to the Name “Harrington”
In 1964, actor Ryan O’Neal appeared in the TV series Peyton Place as Rodney Harrington, frequently wearing the G9. The effect was immediate—Baracuta gained even wider attention, and the jacket’s cultural footprint grew quickly.
Soon after, John Simmons opened an Ivy League–inspired menswear shop and featured the Baracuta G9 prominently in his window display with a bold label: “Harrington Jacket.” From then on, the name “Harrington” spread widely and became a defining silhouette that countless brands continue to reference.
Not long after, Eric Clapton of The Yardbirds performed on the hit music show Ready, Steady, Go! wearing Baracuta G9 jackets with his band. The G9 spread even further—becoming widely recognized, easily copied, and endlessly reinterpreted.
Refined Yet Rebellious: Many Faces of the G9
From the 1970s through the 2000s, Baracuta’s classic G9 and G4 moved beyond Ivy style and became embraced by youth subcultures. Over these decades, the people who wore them—and how they wore them—changed dramatically.
One of the first major subcultures to adopt the G9 was the Mods. Rising alongside bands like The Who and Small Faces, Mods saw the jacket as a symbol of modern style. Pieces like the G9 became their essential uniform—and a visual marker of their identity.
Not long after, Ska fans, Skinheads, Punks, and British Rockers also made the G9 and G4 wardrobe essentials. Early Skinheads—strongly influenced by reggae and rude boy style—often completed their sharp, uniform look with boots, a shirt with suspenders, and a G9 on top.
Driven by Britain’s obsession with rock music and bands like The Clash, the Harrington jacket’s influence only expanded. It became a recurring staple in popular culture—a “go-to” jacket that keeps returning across decades. For many, it’s more than fashion: it’s identity. Wearing it says, “I’ve got presence, but I don’t need to shout.”
A Language in Hollywood
Once the G9 became widely recognizable through British subculture and music, Hollywood naturally absorbed it as a form of costume language. The Harrington works on screen because it shapes a character without stealing the spotlight—clean, restrained, and ready for action.
In the 1960s, the masculine image represented by Steve McQueen redefined what “cool” looked like. These characters didn’t rely on loud clothing to prove a point. Instead, they used simple, functional pieces to express calm confidence, self-control, and a quiet edge. The Harrington jacket fits perfectly: not as confrontational as a leather jacket, not as formal as a suit—positioned between freedom and structure, making the character feel both independent and reliable.
As time moved forward, male characters became psychologically richer, and Harrington-style jackets appeared more often in films and in off-duty celebrity wardrobes. It became a choice that doesn’t need explanation—signaling taste and personality without leaning on oversized logos.
Leonardo DiCaprio’s look in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is a perfect example. The story is set in the late 1960s, but it’s told through a modern lens. The short, sharp, casual jacket isn’t just a vintage detail—it’s part of the character’s attitude. It suggests someone living close to fame, yet still holding onto distance, boundaries, and self-definition.
From Steve McQueen to Leonardo DiCaprio, the Harrington jacket’s place in Hollywood isn’t a straight line of trends—it’s a language that keeps evolving. It crosses generations because it’s never locked into one attitude or one era. Whether it’s a classic screen hero, a modern character with introspection, or simply someone walking down the street, the G9 continues to offer a quiet, precise statement.
