Atom Retro's Guide to buying Baracuta Harrington Jackets
Baracuta: The Original and The Best Harrington Jacket.
The origins of Baracuta and the original G9 harrington jacket can be traced back to 1930's Manchester. John and Isaac Miller (The Miller Brothers) set out with a plan to improve their range of raincoats (specifically intended as workwear). Manchester is notorious for its excessive rainfall (largely due to its location at the foot of the penines), so a lightweight rainproof working jacket was high on the brothers agenda for manufacture. With the design including collar button fastening, elastic wristbands and button fasten pockets nearly finished, the Miller Brothers took their idea to Beaufort Castle, Scotland. In the presence of Lord Lovat (Head of the Fraser Clan) John and Isaac requested that they may be granted permission (and licence) to use the famous red Fraser tartan for their proposed jacket design. With the agreement in place the Miller Brother's began manufacturing the Baracuta, in the classic and famous G9, and also other styles and variations including the Four Climes and G10 Harrington Jackets.
Over the years the G9 built up a reputation and in the 1950's silver screen icons helped to boost the Baracuta profile. By the 1960's the jacket was an essential garment and a must have for mods. With its intricate attention to detail and refined style, the Baracuta G9 was just the type of jacket to appeal to the mod movement. G10 and Four Climes were also popular, although it would be the G9 that became the most famous and iconic mod jacket. It was also in the sixties that John Simons (owner of sixties mod clothing store, the Ivy Shop in Richmond) began referring to the Baracuta G9 as 'Harrington'. The name Harrington had previously been associated with the sixties US TV soap, Peyton Place, which ran from 1964 to 1969. One of the shows characters 'Rodney Harrington', played by Ryan O'Neil, would often wear a Baracuta G9 jacket. The name caught on and has stuck ever since.
It wasn't only sixties mods who loved the Baracuta style. The seventies saw punks and mod revivalists adopt the Baracuta Harrington as their jacket of choice. The Clash played Times Square in 1981 wearing personalised Baracuta G9's (specially made by Baracuta). With the advent of nineties Britpop, the Baracuta G9 found a new home.... on the backs of countless indie icons. With inspiration drawn from their sixties predecessors, (indie styling is often drawn and adapted from sixties mod designs) the Baracuta G9 once again remained firmly in the spotlight. It has remained there ever since with new additions to the Baracuta range including the Slimfit versions of the G9 and G10 harringtons, and other customised and limited edition Baracuta jackets. Baracuta have emerged as one of England's prestiege brands with a reputation that has built up over decades and a reputation that will continue to grow. The year 2007 sees Baracuta in its 70th year - The truth is the G9 has seen us through seventy years of our history.
Who wears the Baracuta Harrington?
Since the fifties the Baracuta Harrington has been worn by icons and legends such as James Dean, Frank Sinatra, Steve Mcqueen and Elvis Presley. A mod staple, the jacket earned its reputation in the sixties. Mods identified with the Baracuta G9 and it's high level tailoring and attention to detail. The seventies witnessed a high profile resurgence as the mod revival movement propelled the jacket into the limelight once more. Of late, the Baracuta Harrington has emerged as a choice jacket for today's indie generation. With indie clothes drawn from sixties inspiration the jacket is an ideal garment to pair with drainpipe jeans and chelsea cuban heels. The list of stars to highlight the Baracuta as a must have item of indie clothing includes Johnny Borrell (Razorlight), Tim Burgess (The Charlatans), Liam Gallagher (Oasis), Alex Turner (Arctic Monkey's) and Preston (Ordinary Boys).
Differences between the G9, G10 and Four Climes styles:
The standard Baracuta features (identical across the range):
Raglan Sleeves sewn radially to the base of the collar. The sleeve cut stretches from under the armpit up to the base of the collar, and while enabling the arms and the body to move freely, it provides great comfort.
Close knit 100% poplin cotton comes in a variety of colours, and with the exception of the unlined sleeves, is lined with the classic red Fraser Tartan (the same tartan acquired through licence in 1938).
Symmetrical front pockets are closed by flaps and can be fastened by buttons (the same button as used on the collar).
The waistband and wristbands are elasticated and in the same colour as the garment.
The short firm collar is closed by two buttons placed side by side, the same colour as the jacket.
The Baracuta G9 Model:
The original 'Umbrella' shaped sewing at the shoulder blades, joins the fabric parts at the back only near the tips.
The Baracuta G10 Model:
The G10 jacket is identical to the Baracuta G9, except for where the G9 has the Umbrella stitch to the reverse, the G10 has a straight stitch horizontal back that has vertical pleats to either side.
The Baracuta Four Climes G9:
As opposed to the usual twin zip fastening (seen on the G9 & G10) the Four Climes has one zip and the Label to the inside has the Four Climes signature. Otherwise it is pretty much identical to the G9. The Four Climes has now been discontinued. Atom Retro has acquired the vintage range of Four Climes Baracuta G9 Harrington Jackets, so don't miss out.
The Baracuta Slim-Fit G9 & G10:
As well as the same style specifications as discussed above (G9 & G10 respectively), the slimfit versions of the Baracuta Harrington have been modified from the original cut to include slimline sleeves and slimmed down body.
Atom Retro has an extensive range of Baracuta G9, G10, Four Climes, and Slimfit Harrington Jackets to choose from. Whether taking inspiration form sixties mods, mod revivalists or the current indie scene, Atom Retro has the Baracuta for you. Pair it with your mod clothing or your indie clothes, the Baracuta Harrington is surefire standout retro wear for any occasion.
Baracuta 70th Anniversary Icon G9 jackets:
In 2007 Baracuta launched the icon g9 series to commemorate the 70th anniversary of brand BARACUTA.
The icon series features three stars who have served to endorse the Baracuta G9 jacket and helped nurture and promote the everlasting image of the original harrington.
The MCQUEEN
The PRESLEY
The SINATRA
The icon series BARACUTA G9 harrington's come in their own bespoke presentation box and complete with a custom print quote on the Fraser tartan.
New additions to the BARACUTA icon G9 series are to include Strummer and Simonon's 'The Clash' (PUNK)custom made Times Square jacket.
For more information on mod clothing visit the Atom Retro Guide to Mod Clothing.
THE BARACUTA MOD HARRINGTON
Baracuta have recently added the Mod Harrington to their collection. The Baracuta Mod Harrington adopts the typical G10 construction with straight stitch seam to reverse. In a stylish Vintage fit , the Mod Harrington takes its inspiration from a slim European block. With slim sleeves and sleek body shape, Baracuta have created a whole new look. Featuring a stylish mesh Fraser Tartan lining (instead of the traditional Baracuta Fraser tartan fabric), the Mod Harrington is ideal for the Spring/Summer months. The branded Baracuta embroidery to the chest is another point of difference. The other notable difference is the keen price point. The Baracuta Mod Harrington is priced at just £99.00, and offers Baracuta quality below the £100 mark.
What else does Baracuta offer within it's range?
Baracuta has evolved at pace over the last few years and now offers a product portfolio that consists not only of the core Baracuta Harrington range, but also includes essential Baracuta shirts in both short and long sleeves, and varying collar styles. Baracuta knitwear is also a key part of the collection. Comprising luxurious knits in a variety of fabric compositions, Baracuta create classics such as Steve Mcqueen style shawl collar heavy knits as well as lightweight cotton knit jumpers and polos. The range of Baracuta polo shirts is also extensive, with pique, jersey and cotton styles all proving a big hit. Combining clean and sharp Sixties Mod designs with the more eccentric Retro pattern polos, Baracuta have all angles covered.
The latest addition to the Baracuta range is the new footwear collection. Sixties Mod desert boots form a key part of the range and include leather and suede styles. There's Retro colours galore and an array of classic footwear styles that include Mod tassel loafers, Retro driving shoes, classic Indie plimsoles and much much more.
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