Introduction

Although it might not be obvious from stepping outside, the winter chill is apparently soon due to succumb to the moderately milder and slightly less wet climes of spring. This period of transition is an ideal time to consider the new season’s multitude of menswear styles and begin to purge and reorganise our wardrobes accordingly. Planning ahead in this manner provides greater scope for locating items that integrate seamlessly with our chosen aesthetic, taking pride of place on our clothing racks and nestling comfortably alongside existing spring/summer staples. Though the time to store the duffels, pea coats and parkas for another year may be fast approaching, spring’s somewhat unpredictable weather means ignoring outerwear altogether is not recommended. The need for fewer layers may exclude certain textural combinations but it does have its advantages: you can create stronger lines and a cleaner silhouette, which is synonymous with the warmer months. With all the recent talk of neon suits and floral prints, it is easy to overlook the trusty jacket’s relatively reserved appearance. Today we breakdown three key outerwear styles that are not only experiencing a surge in popularity this spring, but also fit in with FashionBeans’ ethos of investing in timeless pieces that are suitable for many more to come.

1. The Harrington Jacket

Emblematic of sixties’ mod culture and famously favoured by the likes of Steve McQueen and Daniel Craig, the Harrington jacket’s sharp collar and fitted cuffs/waistband are perfect for spring’s mixture of sun and showers. The Harrington’s timeless quality and proven longevity not only lies in its stylish cut and iconic Fraser tartan lining but also in its more practical attributes of durability and versatility. It works just as well with the casual and comfortable combination of a sweater and indigo jeans as it does with a crisp button-down shirt and chinos. Variety in terms of both colour and fit increases its style stock further, with a huge number of colour ways now available. The traditional versions come in beige, tan or navy whilst bolder and brighter options will suit more modern tastes (British racing green is a personal favourite). The classic slim fit Harrington is the G9 by Baracuta, whose recent acquisition by WP Lavori has injected a new lease of life into the brand, especially with Kenichi Kesano’s stunning designs for the subsidiary Blue label. Its elegant and straight cut silhouette lends itself to the contemporary style seen in many recent collections, so it comes as no surprise that the Harrington has been included in spring/summer 2013 campaigns by the likes of Nicole Fahri, Tom Ford and Trussardi. If you don’t already have a Harrington jacket in your outerwear arsenal, now may well be the time to pull the trigger and invest.