For what it's worth, I have glanced across at 'Harrington' jackets hanging on the racks in a succession of John Simon's shops since the mid-1960's and never been in the slightest tempted to even try one on.  It puzzles me how Ivy advocates are attracted to its design.  To me, there is no congruence between Ivy style and the Harrington.  It always struck me as an invader in the Ivy world.  I took a close inspection last week of a current Baracuta version only to find it reinforced my long held view. It will not be found in my wardrobe and never on my shoulders.

Just seen a bloke in my local Blockbuster in a cheapo black one, its sights like him that make me see where RRP is coming from.......but I still think the right colour or pattern and teamed with the right clothing and it can still look pretty good. Its not my favourite piece of clothing, but is functional and I still like the right one. Its still more to do with how the whole ensemble is put together.

Despite the casuals association, I prefer the Burberry’s (not Burberry) Harrington, it’s more of a G4 cut so strictly speaking it’s probably not a proper Harrington anyway, but that’s how they are described on eBay. The ones I like are a straight cut, no elastic on the bottom, they have side adjusters and a throat latch which is buttoned out of sight under the collar (these are often missing), no logos etc. They are a really good quality garment, Made in the UK at the time, I think they stopped doing them in the 80s or 90s . The check lining is more low key than Baracuta jackets so easier to wear without clash. I’ve got a good navy blue one and I trawl the Bay occasionally in the hope of finding a decent one in beige, but when they do turn up even quite shabby examples go for a lot of money.

Say what you like about the Harrington but it probably kept J Simons in business.
I agree with an earlier poster re context. It all depends on what you wear the jacket with. I have one from the Covent Garden shop and another from my favourite shop TKMaxx. My most worn one is a Katharine Hamnett made in England Egyptian cotton rare number.

The King Louie Pro-Plus cotton, Made In The USA, with check lining I bought for £15 a day or so before Christmas will not, hopefully, pass as a 'Harrington' at all, but as a slightly bland, natural-coloured zip-up jacket: the kind of item you might buy from a halfway decent 'vintage Americana' shop.  I would not now consider Baracuta as an alternative.  A local charity shop was trying to flog one of their modern coats for £35 just the other week.  I also saw something in the early autumn that was not overpriced but very much 'Man At C&A' - worse even than the Hong Kong-made Farah job that Doghouse or Sammy Ambrose (can't think which) had a good snigger over.

Before the brand was sold I remember some of the products such as polo shirts were really cheap nasty looking things with a prominent ugly logo.

I didn't realise the owners were Italian.  I wonder if they're anything to do with Boggi?  I think their clothing was - or is - made in Rumania. 
Baracuta and Dhobi (possibly others) originated (from what I know) in North Manchester or possibly Oldham.  You'll sometimes see 'Baracuta' reading as 'Barracuda'.  No idea what the former means.  Has anyone?

I love 'Baracuta: England'.  Not 'Made In England'.

^ Agree: whole-heartedly.  It's become a major problem - though not, I don't suppose, a new one as I remember my twice-married daughter wearing her little work wear Osh Kosh dungarees circa 1990. 
It seems the chaps who founded Baracuta were turning out high end rainwear during the 1930s: luxury items.  Seems to have evolved into rain/golf wear exclusively.
But I also remember stealing my late father's Ralph Lauren aftershave.

I wore this type of jacket all through high school. Didn’t know it had a name. We called it “Dad’s golf jacket?? —- I never had a single one bought specifically for me.  I just took my dad’s old ones.  I think it was London Fog—- is that a disqualifier?

I believe you could buy London Fog in the 60s in London. You could certainly get H.I.S. "Harringtons" in Austin's - I know, I had one. Also a Drizzler from the same place. This would've been in 68/69 I think.The term "Ivy League" in reference to clothing meant nothing to me back then - I just liked the way I saw Americans dressing, both on TV ("Bewitched", "Laugh-in" etc.), and from observing the many tourists who thronged central London back then.

Last edited by Uncle Ian (2021-12-28 09:32:23)

I was still at school, with Saturday jobs, so it was all pretty much unaffordable to me. I used to sell off old toys, borrow from my brother, anything legit if there was a specific item of clothing I wanted. My prized possession was a super lightweight USA made, total Ivy League suit (I'd learned what the details were by then), once again from Austin's, in 68/69. I can't remember how much it cost, but I couldn't really afford to go out anywhere to wear it!