Jacket Types and Comparisons
Bomber Jacket vs. Harrington Jacket: Key Differences
Bomber: ribbed knit trims, zip, aviation roots. Harrington: stand collar, tartan lining, golf roots. Compare collar, cuffs, fabric and fit, then pick one.
Verdict: Both are short, waist-length jackets, so they look alike on a hanger. The bomber comes from military aviation and is defined by ribbed knit cuffs and hem, a zip and a flat collar, often in nylon or leather. The Harrington comes from 1930s English golf wear and is defined by a two-button stand collar, slanted pockets and a tartan lining, usually in cotton.
Pick a bomber for warmth, leather and a sporty look. Pick a Harrington for a light, clean jacket that works with smarter clothes. This comparison is part of our jacket types and key differences guide.
Bomber vs Harrington at a glance
| Column 1 | Bomber jacket | Harrington jacket |
|---|---|---|
| Roots | U.S. military aircrews | English golf jackets of the 1930s |
| Usual materials | Nylon, leather; also wool, satin, suede | Cotton, polyester, wool or suede |
| Collar | Flat, often ribbed knit | Two-button stand collar |
| Cuffs and hem | Ribbed knit | Sources disagree: elastic, knit or plain |
| Lining | MA-1 classic: orange | Fraser tartan or check |
| Pockets | MA-1: slanted flap pockets, sleeve pocket | Two slanted flap pockets |
| Back | No special back detail in our sources | Baracuta G9: five-point "umbrella" vented back |
| Warmth | Light nylon to shearling-lined leather | Lightweight |
What makes a jacket a Harrington?
A Harrington, also called a golf jacket, is a lightweight, waist-length jacket, often with a Fraser tartan or check lining. The Modest Man lists its usual details: a zip front, a two-button stand-up collar and two slanted flap pockets.
It was first sold as the Baracuta G9, and the G stood for golf. Baracuta and Grenfell both claim to have made it first in 1930s Lancashire. The name came later, from Rodney Harrington, a character in the TV series Peyton Place who often wore one.
Our page on what a Harrington jacket is goes deeper into its history.
What makes a jacket a bomber?
A bomber is a short jacket inspired by military aviation: waist-length, with ribbed cuffs and waistband, a front zip and a flat collar. The fit is fitted at the waist but generous in the body, with roomy sleeves. See what is a bomber jacket for the full background.
Is a Harrington a bomber jacket?
No, though both are blousons, jackets gathered at the waist so the body blouses over it. For how that family works, see blouson jacket vs bomber jacket.
The key differences
Collar
This is the easiest tell. The bomber's collar is flat and often ribbed knit. The Harrington's is a stand collar that closes with two buttons. FashionBeans calls it a funnel-neck tab collar.
Cuffs and hem: sources disagree
Every source agrees the bomber has ribbed knit trims. For the Harrington, they split:
- Elastic or knit: Atom Retro says elasticated cuffs and waist; FashionBeans says knitted cuffs.
- Maybe: The Modest Man says it may have ribbed trims at cuff and hem.
- Plain: Decrum, a leather jacket seller, says the Harrington has no ribbed bands, a straight hem and plain or buttoned cuffs.
In practice, check the jacket in front of you. The collar and lining are more reliable signs than the cuffs.
Material and weight
The Harrington is lightweight, in cotton, polyester, wool or suede. Bombers run from the intermediate-weight nylon MA-1 to shearling-lined leather. If you want leather, the bomber is the natural choice.
Lining and back
Turn them inside out. A Harrington usually shows tartan or check. A classic MA-1 bomber shows orange. On the back, the Baracuta G9 has a five-point "umbrella" vented yoke, and other Harringtons use a variation of it.
Cut
The Modest Man says the Harrington's straight fit and collar give cleaner lines than a bomber. Decrum says the Harrington is usually cut with more volume through the body than a fitted bomber. Bombers are fitted at the waist with a generous body.
Culture
Both jackets moved from function into style tribes. The bomber spread through surplus stores to mods, skinheads and hip hop. Atom Retro says mods, scooterists, skinheads and 1990s Britpop fans adopted the Harrington.
Which should you choose?
Our view: own both if you can, because they cover different weather. If you can own only one and want leather, choose the bomber, the cut our sources describe in leather.
| Choose a bomber if... | Choose a Harrington if... |
|---|---|
| You want leather or shearling warmth | You want a light spring and fall layer |
| You like ribbed knit trims | You like a stand collar and tartan lining |
| You want a casual, sporty look | You want cleaner lines with shirts and chinos |
| Your build is average or larger | You prefer a straight cut |
Get a leather bomber made
The store does not list a Harrington. For the bomber side, the Leather Collection custom bomber jacket offers a vintage leather bomber with ribbed cuffs and a modern minimalist cut with slim shoulders. You choose the collar style, pockets, snaps and lining.
FAQ
Is a bomber jacket the same as a Harrington jacket?
No. Both are short and waist-length, but the bomber has a ribbed collar, cuffs and hem, while the Harrington has a two-button stand collar and a tartan lining.
What makes a jacket a Harrington?
A lightweight, waist-length cut, a two-button stand collar, slanted flap pockets and a tartan or check lining.
Why is it called a bomber jacket?
The name likely comes from bomber aircraft and their crews, though that is stated as likely rather than proven.
Who wears a Harrington jacket?
Mods, scooterists, skinheads and Britpop fans all adopted it, according to Atom Retro. James Dean wore a red one in Rebel Without a Cause.
Related comparisons
Sources
- Wikipedia, Harrington jacket and Flight jacket
- The Modest Man, What is a Harrington jacket
- Atom Retro, The Harrington jacket: everything you wanted to know
- FashionBeans, The definitive Harrington jacket guide
- Decrum, Harrington vs bomber blog post (seller; read 2026-10-10)
All read 2026-10-10.
leatheride Editorial Team
leatheride articles are researched from published sources, cited in the text, and reviewed before publication.