The Harrington has been getting it right since the 1950s and the good news is that it still does. What makes it work is also what makes it easy to get wrong. Too stiff and it looks like a souvenir. Too fashion forward and you’ve turned a timeless piece into a trend piece with an expiration date. The ones we’re interested in sit right in the middle. Clean silhouette, proper tartan lining, a collar that lies flat without being fussed over, and a fit that works over a crewneck or a shirt without looking like either was an accident.

We’ve been looking specifically at versions in the classic colorways because sage, navy, and tan don’t need reinventing. They need executing well. The fabric weight matters more than most brands admit. Too light and it looks cheap. Right, and it moves the way a jacket should.

These are the Harringtons that earn their place in a rotation and stay there for years.