The Baracuta Harrington: A Guide to Baracuta Jackets and Coats
The Baracuta G9: The first ever Harrington jacket. Baracuta is one of the biggest historic brands in British clothing. Born in Manchester in 1937, its iconic G9, G4 and G12 jackets have become timeless classics. The G9 is still one of the most celebrated icons in the history of menswear; created by the Miller brothers in 1937 and completed in 1938 with the distinctive Fraser Tartan lining.
Here's our guide to buying a Baracuta jacket: find your perfect fit and size, discover the differences between the G9 and G4 styles, learn about Baracuta's origins and history, and browse the seasonal highlights from the 2025 Spring and Summer Baracuta collection.
Baracuta Seasonal Highlights Spring & Summer 2025
This seasons Baracuta collection is characterised by a few fundamental elements: Rainwear, Seersucker fabric, Nylon Ripstop, Garment Dyed and Canvas. Each element has been chosen to embody the vibrant and dynamic spirit of Spring and Summer. Ideal for the British summer, these are cool, light and functional jackets which you can wear to protect from summer showers or against summer evening chills.
Seersucker
Seersucker takes centre stage for summer 2025. Focusing on an earthy green and classic navy, the G9 jacket is rejuvenated in this light and breezy fabric, making it perfect for the
summer months. In a premium cotton seersucker fabric and a comfortable regular fit (fitting a little looser than the traditional slim fit Baracuta G9), the Seersucker G9 swaps the traditional Fraser Tartan lining in favour of cool seasonal tartan. All the other traditional Baracuta G9 traits, including the classic two-button collar, slanted front pockets and tonal elasticated cuffs and hem, are present.
Ripstop Nylon
Nylon Ripstop is the other option in the summer lightweight range. Known for its three-dimensional structure, this fabric gives a new look to the G9 making it a more windbreaker style jacket. Available in beech green and dark navy, this jacket is light, water and wind resistant and features a printed Baracuta logo to the chest.
Garment Dyed Canvas
The Baracuta cotton canvas fabric receives a garment dyeing treatment to achieve a unique, worn look. With a utilitarian look that emphasises a rugged aesthetic, this G9 jacket is comfortable and distinctive. Available in earthy summer shades - British Khaki and Sea Storm blue.
Baracuta G9 vs. G4: The Differences Between The Styles
What is the difference between a G9 and a G4 jacket? Both jackets share the same DNA, with features such as the button flap slanted pockets, the 2-button standing collar and the Fraser tartan lining being the same on both classic styles. The main difference between these jackets are the style of waist and cuff. The waist and cuff on the G9 has the traditional Harrington style elasticated and ribbed band, where as the G4 jacket has an open waist and button cuff instead, giving a slightly looser fit. The G9 jacket was originally designed as a short rainwear jacket and the elasticated waist and cuff was to keep the wearer drier when caught in the rain. The G4 jacket was designed as a recreational sports jacket, a golfing jacket, so the waist and cuff was left open for more movability. The G9 is the classic Mod Harrington jacket and the style which became synonymous with mod style.
Baracuta: The Original Harrington Jacket
"Perfection in rain protection..."
If there is one thing which is constant in Manchester, England - it's the rain. In a city where it rains more often than it doesn't, rainwear was big business in the 1930s. Brothers, John and Isaac Miller ran the Baracuta factory, making rainwear for brands such as Burberry and Aquascutum. When they branched out into their own brand, Baracuta soon became synonymous with the world's finest raincoats.
By 1937, the Miller Brothers were looking for a new, functional design for a working man, and one which would also keep them dry in the rain. They came up with what would eventually be known as the Baracuta G9 jacket. This shorter jacket meant the wearer would have the benefit of a shower resistant coat while he was still able to move around, unhampered by a longer raincoat or mac.
Both also keen golfers, the Miller Brothers realised the jacket would be ideal as a golfing jacket too, enabling the golfer to keep playing in the rain, unhindered by long or bulky raincoats. With a nod to this, the Millers named the jacket the G9 - G for golf and 9 for the 9 holes on a golf course.
With the design including collar button fastening, elastic waistband and cuffs and button fasten pockets nearly finished, the Miller Brothers took their idea to Beaufort Castle, Scotland. In the presence of Lord Lovat, the head of the Fraser Clan, the Miller brothers requested that they be granted permission and licence to use the famous red Fraser tartan in the lining for the new Baracuta jacket, adding an element which would make the jacket - and Baracuta brand - really stand out. Today, although most harrington jackets will have a tartan lining like the Baracuta, it is only the genuine Baracuta jacket that can use the Fraser tartan.
With the agreement in place, the Miller Brother's began manufacturing the Baracuta Jacket in the classic G9 style, as well as other variations including the G4 jacket.
Over the years the Baracuta G9 built up a reputation. In the late 1950s Baracuta G9 Jackets were being exported to the US as 'Sports Coats' for the early Mods perfecting that Ivy League look. In 1958 Elvis Presley wore a Baracuta G9 in the flim, King Creole propelling the jacket to the forefront of fashion. Other fifties and sixties icons picked the Baracuta G9 as thier jacket of choice - Frank Sinatra, Arnold Palmer, Gregory Peck, and perhaps most famously, The King of Cool - Steve McQueen, who made the natural coloured Baracuta G9 an integral part of his 'look'. This helped propel the Baracuta G9 into mainstream fashion.
By the 1960's the G9 jacket was a must have for the 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. It was also in the 1960s that John Simons (owner of sixties mod clothing store, The Ivy Shop) coined the name 'Harrington' for the Baracuta jacket, after US TV soap, Peyton Place. One of the shows characters, Rodney Harrington, played by Ryan O'Neil, would often wear a Baracuta G9 jacket. The Harrington name caught on and has stuck ever since. A short time after John Simons started selling the 'Harrington Jacket' Eric Clapton appeared with The Yardbirds on Ready, Steady, Go! wearing a G9. The G9 had arrived on the mod scene.
It wasn't only Mods who loved the Baracuta G9. The 1970s saw the Baracuta jacket adopted by other sub-cultures too, in punk, mod revivalists and football. In 1966, England coach Sir Alf Ramsey was seen wearing a Baracuta G9 on the evening before England's world cup winning victory over Germany, so for the 1970 squad Baraucta supplied a specially tailored coat - the 'Mexican' aka the Ramsey Raincoat.
Around the same time in the US, legendary golfer Arnold Palmer chose Baracuta to launch his own signature golf jacket. A rain and wind proof jacket was launched with the label 'Arnold Palmer Leisurewear by Baracuta.' Strictly limited edtion, the jacket was only made in small numbers and was highly sought after. Today it's one of the rarest and most collectable Baracuta jackets.
Punks, Skinheads, Rudeboys and Mod revivalists also adopted the Baracuta Harrington as their jacket of choice too. The Clash played Times Square, New York in 1981 wearing personalised Baracuta G9s (specially made for them by Baracuta).
With the advent of 1990s Britpop and Indie, the Baracuta G9 found a new home.... on the backs of countless indie icons. With inspiration drawn from their sixties predecessors, the Baracuta G9 was once again firmly in the spotlight. The list of stars to highlight the Baracuta as a must have item of indie clothing includes Liam and Noel Gallagher, Tim Burgess, Alex Turner, Pete Doherty and Johnny Borrell - Razorlight wore Baracuta G9s when they met Nelson Mandela, following the Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday concert held in Hyde Park, London.
In 2013 the Baracuta was relaunched as a premium Jacket - designed for the Mod connoisseur, for whom only the best will do! New brand owners, WP Lavori improved the fit of the jacket, making it a slimmer and more fitted flattering shape, and put the Baracuta G9 in to premium fabrics. The Baracuta G9 Original retains all it's iconic design aspects - not least the famous Fraser Tartan and 5-point 'Umbrella' reverse vent.
More About Baracuta
Is Baracuta the first Harrington Jacket?
Yes, Baracuta, owned then by John and Isaac Miller, designed and perfected the Baracuta G9 - the first Harrington jacket - in Manchester, England in 1937.
Why is it called a Harrington Jacket?
The name was coined for a character in American TV soap, Peyton Place in the 1960s. The character played by Ryan O'Neal was called Rodney Harrington and always wore a Baracuta G9 style jacket. The official name for the jacket is a Baracuta G9.
Why is Steve McQueen famous for Baracuta jackets?
The Baracuta G9 is a style that Steve McQueen liked and often wore himself, including sometimes in movies, mos famously The Thomas Crown Affair in 1968. The King of Cool, Steve McQueen was often pictured in a Baracuta G9 wearing colours like natural, navy and stone (now called 'Mist').
Who else is famous for wearing the Baracuta G9?
Elvis Presley popularised the Harrington Jacket in America in 1958 when he wore a Baracuta G9 in the movie Kid Creole. Other iconic wearers include Frank Sinatra, Liam Gallagher, Daniel Craig, The Clash and many more.
Why do Mods love Baracuta G9 jackets?
The Harrington jacket was adopted as part of the mod look by mods and scooter boys in the 1960s and 70s. They liked the clean, sharp and smart look of the jacket and also it's functionality as being shorter, it didn't get in the way, the elasticated waist and cuff kept it fitted to the body and it wouldn't blow in the wind when riding a scooter, and its rain resistant design made it perfect for scooter ride outs in typical British weather!
What is the connection between Baracuta and the England football team?
On the eve of the 1966 World Cup final between England and Germany, England coach, Sir Alf Ramsey was photographed wearing a Baracuta G9 jacket. For 1970, Baracuta created a customised jacket for the 1970 squad and also all the players from 1966. This was a longer raincoat style coat called 'the Mexican', also known as 'the Ramsey Raincoat'.
What's the difference between the G9 and G4?
Simply, the waist and cuffs are different. The G9 has an elasticated waist and cuff where as the G4 is an open waist and button cuff. See above for more detailed info.
What does the G stand for in G9?
The name G9 refers to Baracuta's golfing heritage. The G stands for Golf and the 9 represents the 9 holes on a golf course.
What is the lining in a Baracuta Jacket?
The lining in the classic Baracuta G9 and G4 styles is always the red Fraser tartan, made in breathable Coolmax fabric. Only Baracuta Harringtons are allowed to use this pattern tartan. Others can only copy!
What is the 'Umbrella' Vent?
The famous 'Umbrella' Vent is the finish to the back of the Baracuta G9 and G4 jacket, like a raincoat style, designed to allow the rain to run off the wearer. The 5 point 'Umbrella' vent is a trademark of the Baracuta jacket.
What are the classic colours in the Baracuta G9?
The classic core colours in the G9 are always black, navy and natural. Added to this are faded black, tan, mist grey, red and dark navy, which are usually always in the range. Mods also like dark red or racing green for their mod credentials, these colours are typically seasonal in differing shades. Each season new, limited edition seasonal colours are also released in the latest trends and fashions - see above for this seasons highlights.
What is a Baracuta G10?
The G10 moniker has been used for several different Baracuta styles over the years, but currently the Baracuta G10 is the Baracuta raincoat - a longer length coat with button pockets, fold down collar, button fasten and sometimes with a detachable quilted lining for extra warmth.
How do you pronounce Baracuta?
Simply as it looks - Barra-coo-ta.
Where can I buy Baracuta jackets?
Right here: