Evoking British Style: How to Care for Your Harrington Jacket

The Harrington jacket is an iconic piece of menswear that dates back to the 1930s. It was named after the character Rodney Harrington played by Ryan O'Neal in the American TV series "Peyton Place". But the jacket was made famous by Steve McQueen and Elvis Presley and quickly became a staple of British style in the 1960s. Its timeless design and versatility have made it a favourite of fashion aficionados around the world. In this post, we will guide you through the process of caring for your Harrington jacket, ensuring its longevity and retaining its timeless appeal.

The Importance of Cleaning and Maintenance

The first thing you need to understand about maintaining your Harrington jacket is keeping it clean. As with any clothing item that sees regular use, a Harrington jacket will inevitably require occasional washing to remove sweat, dirt or other signs of wear. A dirty jacket not only looks shabby but can also accumulate bacteria and odours that will only worsen with time.

Before washing your jacket, you should always check the care label instructions to determine what method and products are best suited. Some jackets may be machine washable but many are not, particularly if they are made from delicate fabrics like cotton or polyester.

Fortunately, many Harrington jackets can be hand washed in cold water using a mild detergent. Take care to submerge the jacket fully, gently rubbing the detergent into any stains or marks. Make sure you rinse it thoroughly in cold water, removing all traces of the detergent, so it doesn't leave any residue.

Drying is also an important part of maintaining your Harrington jacket. Once you've finished washing your jacket, never wring dry or hang it on a hanger or clothesline. Allow the jacket to dry naturally, laying it flat on a towel away from direct sunlight or heat. This helps prevent any alterations in the jacket's shape or colour, keeping it in excellent condition for longer.

Spot Cleaning and Stain Removal

Aside from regular washing and drying, sometimes, spot cleaning is necessary to restore the jacket to its original, pristine appearance. Spot cleaning is a great way to tackle any specific stains or marks that have accumulated on your jacket, without having to wash the entire garment.

When spot cleaning most Harrington jackets, you should follow these steps:

Remove or wipe off any spills or excess debris, using a clean and dry cloth.

Dampen a second, clean cloth or sponge with cold water.

Rub the damp cloth or sponge gently into the stained areas of the jacket in a circular motion;

Dip the cloth or sponge repeatedly into clean water, removing all traces of soap or product.

Rinse the jacket by dabbing each stain with a damp cloth.

It's important that you don't use any harsh or abrasive chemicals or abrasive sponges, towels, or brushes to prevent damage to the coloured shape and fabric structure of your jacket during spot cleaning.

Dry Cleaning Your Harrington Jacket

Dry cleaning your Harrington jacket may offer a convenient solution if you are unable to hand wash your jacket or remove stains through spot cleaning entirely. Take note Holt is dry-cleaning only; some jackets labeled “dry clean only” do allow the jacket to use the handwash method, and some may only be suitable for professional dry-cleaning to clean.

Keep in mind that some dry cleaning products can negatively impact the cotton fabric's strength, causing damage to the fabric and overall impact of the jacket. It may even cause fading or de-colourising, highlighting corresponding skin folds around the collar, zip area as they pick up dirt.

Storage Tips to Keep Harrington Jacket Pristine

Finally, you might be wondering how best to store your Harrington jacket to prevent wrinkles, promote their shape, and durability after each use and before the cleaning process. Careful maintenance of your Harrington jacket when you’re not wearing it prevents any creases setting into the garment and helps in perseverance fo its fabric and design.

It's wise to hang the jacket with space in the closet or wardrobe to allow adequate airflow and relieve weight from the hanger when not wearing. When packing for travel, you can fold it lengthwise once, followed by folding the folded jacket in half. This method works well when you inevitably need to carry essentials, while any wrinkles and creases that have set will drop out quickly on hanging the jacket over the back of a chair or in a bathroom while steaming the clothing.

By taking the time to follow the care steps instructed thoroughly, your modern-day variation of '50s rebellious teenagers or plain Brit-chic trendy jacket can continue to appear fresh, look stylish and provide the same degree of functionality year after year while also reinforcing the dramatic evolution that transformed B-brands.