Photo by Muffy Aldrich
The Modern Guide to The Thing Before Preppy

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Men's Light Jacket But Not the Short Harrington/Baracuta/G9

 

A reader question:

I am a long time reader of Salt Water New England and come back every day for my needed fix.  Here is a question and I would value any advice from your knowing readers.  

I am apparently one of the few people who can't stand the look of the Baracuta style jacket (aka G9, aka Harrington, aka Golf Jacket).  To my eyes they always look to short and seldom flatter the shape of the people who flock to them.  What is a good alternative?   I value a high quality cotton shell without any coating/waxing, with a tasteful lining.  Thank you!

 

17 comments:

  1. Filson used to make, they may still, a straight fall
    to about 4-6” below the waist, cotton jacket. Very good pockets.
    The “Safari” style perhaps is another option for you.

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    1. I suggest a cotton M65 jacket, perhaps a vintage one, from an army surplus store. Another alternative is a cotton canvas peacoat from St James or Armor Lux.

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  2. To be fair, a Harrington would look perfectly fine on Tom Huddleston.

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    1. Is there anything that doesn't look perfectly fine on Tom Huddleston?

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  3. I completely agree. Have never quite understood their popularity. I've always thought they should come with a pocket protector and clip-on tie.

    You might consider a Barbour Liddesdale. They are extremely lightweight.

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    1. True, I have a similar Barbour and find it works anytime between a moderate chill and a normal winter day. I do have a short jacket, a black Ted Baker with an aquamarine patterned lining, but as you say, not your style.

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  4. Go ask Steve McQueen ...The King of Cool is the prototype for this look.

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    1. Agreed. It depends very much on the individual. James Garner also comes to mind as someone who wore that type of jacket often and well.

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  5. Some field or barn jackets might work, though i don't tend to think of either has having a flattering fit.

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  6. I have both an Orvis Weatherbreaker jacket and an actual Barracuda Harrington. The Barracuda is my suit size, 46, and is too short falling at the waist. On the other hand, the Orvis is a size Large and a couple of inches longer. It looks just right in addition to being half the price of a Barracuda.

    To me the quality is indistinguishable as is the appearance, at least to the non-clothes blogging general public.

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    1. The Barracuta Harrington's shell is now 50% poly 50% cotton rather than the 100% cotton. The new Italian owners have reduced the quality and hiked the prices. The shell of The Orvis is also poly cotton with the exception of the waxed cotton version.

      I recommend a Grenfell's Harringtons and golf jackets which are made in London. Grenfell supplied jackets to Henry Cotton and other top golfers - a better heritage than Baracuta. Grenfell offers better quality and are excellent value but the jackets run small so it's worth going up a size.

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  7. I too have a couple of Orvis Weatherbreaker jackets which are preferable to the G9. Wear them quite a bit in spring.

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  8. I would suggest you look at the various offerings O'Connell's has. Best of luck.

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  9. I suspect your objection to the Baracuta might perhaps be centred on the way the elastic waist pulls the bottom of the jacket together, creating a blouson look overall. If this is correct, then the solution might be to look for a windbreaker or spring jacket without any elastic at the bottom.

    A second alternative might be to consider overshirts or shirtjackets. These usually have a shirt-style collar, but can be made of light cotton and usually do not have any elastic at the bottom. I often find cotton Army shirts with just two breast pockets perfect as for use as an overshirt. The field jacket style with two extra pockets at the hip can also be used in place of a windbreaker, provided it is light cotton or ripstop fabric

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    1. Thumbs up from this corner for the field jacket. I have had the shell versions (wear sweater underneath in cold weather) and the wool-lined versions (Woolrich, etc.).

      Wouldn't wear anything else in spring birding.

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    2. Precisely. I sometimes don't like having a longer jacket in my way, especially in the car, but elastic at the waist of a short jacket can make the wearer look like an inverted light bulb. With some jackets, it is possible to perform minor surgery to relax the elastic and enable the jacket to hang straight. I've done this with several. Unfortunately it's not an option with an elasticized knit waist band.

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