The Harrington Jacket Is the Most Versatile Jacket of the Season

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I need to get something off my chest: I love Harrington jackets. They're so basic—a Harrington, at the end of the day, is just a lightweight jacket that comes to the waist, usually made from loose-fitting materials like suede, cotton, or wool, with slit pockets, a collar, and knit cuffs—yet so reliable. They're trusty. They're chic. They never go out of style. Praise be to the Harrington!

The style, popularized by British counterculture in the '80s, is definitively, effortlessly cool. I mean, just look at James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause, sporting that youthfully chic and stylish red number. Who doesn't want to be him? Who doesn't want to be a Sex Pistols–listening, in-the-know patron of the kickiest parts of life? A Harrington brings you one step closer to being there—and thanks to its versatility, it's something you can wear to places like the office or a dinner, too. Not just underground punk shows.

For spring and summer, the Harrington is your best friend. It's the last piece you shrug on before heading out the door. It's what you bring in your bag because you checked the weather and it might get chilly in the evening. It's a timeless go-to, no matter what your personal aesthetic or style is. Speaking of which, there are 10 major styles right here. Long live the Harrington.

Classic Harrington Style Jacket

For under $100, Spirit of England has a smart, versatile Harrington with chic tartan lining.

The Harrington Jacket

Bonobos keeps it cool, casual, and classy with an infallible option.

Classic Harrington Jacket

This is understated yet elevated, easy to dress up for date night or work, or dress down for lazy Sundays and quick errands.

Harrington Jacket in Cotton Twill

J.Crew does the classic Harrington to a tee—a perfect waistline hem, elasticized cuffs, a zip front with pockets, and a collar that goes with everything.

Cotton-Twill Harrington Jacket

A true Harrington to the core, this number from PRL is a go-to style for...just about anything, really.

Rib Hem Recycled-Nylon Harrington Jacket

No frills. No fuss. Very sleek—and sustainable, too.

Harrington Trucker Jacket

Levi's takes it's trusty denim and warps it into a dark-wash Harrington: classy, stylish, unique, and functional as hell.

Knit Seersucker Harrington Jacket

For a bit of a preppier, classier look, lean toward seersucker stripes. This one will absolutely come in handy through summer yacht trips and picnics.

Organic Cotton Harrington Jacket

Made from naturally-sourced and recycled fibers, this water-repellent Harrington from Pangaia is friendly for the Earth and for your wardrobe. Win-fucking-win.

G9 Suede Harrington Jacket

With large pockets, a ribbed trim, and suede shell, this is what luxury looks like in a Harrington. And let's not forget—Baracuta is the OG!

What To Look For

Honestly, it's hard to go wrong with a Harrington. Any Harrington. But, having listed the 10 best ones on the market here, we know a thing or two about what you should keep an eye out for when narrowing down your search.

Every pick on this list has one thing in common: They're all transitional and versatile as hell. You can dress any of these jackets up with something as simple as a pleated trouser and a loafer, or dress them down with jeans and sneakers. From the top-ranging Harringtons to the most affordable ones, they all have a classic, timeless look that's hard to go wrong with.

Some things, like the design of the collar and what kind of front-fastening the jacket has, are down to personal preference. Maybe you prefer a pointed collar and a zip; maybe you like a standing collar and buttons. Maybe you like cotton-twill, or perhaps suede is more your thing, so keep an eye out for fabric, too.

Why You Can Trust Esquire

We’re not going to say something is great unless it’s actually great. Every product in Esquire’s round-ups is carefully curated by our fashion and e-commerce teams.

When it comes to Harrington jackets, you can rest assured that we’re hand-selecting styles that we’ve personally tested, tried, and loved, along with styles that the rest of our stylish colleagues here at Esquire endorse for their own wear. We’ve had to go through a lot of trial and error, and these Harringtons are the ones that are simply the best.

Every pick on this list (and our other lists!) comes from years of wearing different things, seeing what we love and what we don’t, and going from there. No two tastes are the same, and no two men are the same. Your proverbial mileage may vary. But if you’re looking for the right place to start, with advice from folks who and care (possibly too much!) about this sort of stuff, this is the place to be.

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