Baracuta G9 vs G18: What's the Difference and Which Should You Choose?

In their Baracuta Cloth versions, the Baracuta G9 and the Baracuta G18 come from the same house and share the same signature cloth and the Fraser Tartan lining. Almost everything else sets them apart. The G9 is the original Harrington: two-button collar, ribbed cuffs and hem, umbrella back yoke, close fit. It is the most iconic and the most structured of the two. The G18 is a more relaxed blouson: shirt collar, elasticated hem in the shell fabric, cuffs without ribbing, two action pleats at the back. Its silhouette is looser. The choice comes down to the fit you want and what you wear underneath: the G9 for a clean, close line, the G18 for more room and an easier look.

Browse every model available in our Baracuta selection.

• Baracuta G9: the benchmark Harrington since 1937, close-fitting and structured by its ribbing.
• Baracuta G18: a blouson inspired by the late 1960s, with a roomier, softer silhouette.

Left, the G9. Right, the G18. Same model (180 cm, 65 kg), same size 40.

Baracuta G9 vs G18: the differences at a glance

G9 vs G18: the key difference

The main difference between the Baracuta G9 and the G18 lies in their construction and volume. The G9 is a close-fitting Harrington with a Dog Ear collar, ribbed cuffs and hem, and an umbrella back yoke. The G18 has a shirt collar, fabric cuffs, an elasticated hem and two action pleats at the back. In the same size, it gives a looser silhouette and more room for layering.

Same UK 40 size: G9 vs G18 in figures

The figures confirm the visible difference between the two cuts. In the same UK size, the G18 is 5 cm wider across the chest and 7.5 cm wider at the hem, while being slightly shorter in the back and sleeve. From 38 to 50, the chest, hem and back length differences stay the same. The G18 is therefore not simply a G9 one size up: the two jackets are built on different patterns, and the G18 distributes its volume differently, wider and more compact.

The Baracuta G9: the original Harrington

The G9 was born in 1937 in Manchester, created by the Miller brothers, founders of Baracuta. The “G” stands for golf, the sport the jacket was designed for. A year later, the brand was granted permission by Clan Fraser to use its tartan as a lining. It has never left the jacket since.

The “Harrington” name came later. In the 1960s, actor Ryan O'Neal wore a G9 as Rodney Harrington in the series Peyton Place. The character's name ended up describing the whole family of jackets built on this pattern. The G9 remains the one Baracuta presents as the original.

Its construction explains its look. The ribbed cuffs and hem hold the jacket in place and keep out the wind. The umbrella back yoke lets rain run off. The Dog Ear collar fastens with two buttons. The front pockets are slanted. The result is a short, clean line that sits close to the body.

At AURA, the G9 comes in black Baracuta Cloth, the historic version, as well as in washed cotton twill, heritage denim and lightweight ripstop nylon. All of them share the visual codes of the G9, but the fabric and some construction details can change the drape and the perceived volume. For sizing, we therefore recommend checking the page of each version rather than automatically applying the measurements of the Baracuta Cloth G9.

The Baracuta G18: a more relaxed silhouette

Baracuta presents the G18 as a reworking of a late-1960s classic. The brand even files it under the name “The Blouson”. It keeps the Baracuta Cloth and Fraser Tartan of the G9, but changes almost everything else.

The Dog Ear collar gives way to a pointed shirt collar, closed by a single-button strap. The ribbing disappears: the cuffs are in fabric and the hem is drawn in by a gathered elasticated band cut from the same cloth. At the back, two action pleats replace the umbrella yoke and free up movement. The pockets take their cue from 1970s blousons.

You can see the result in the side-by-side photo above: in the same size, the G18 gives more room through the chest and sleeves. It wears more open and more freely, without the held-in effect of the ribbing. Available at AURA in navy Baracuta Cloth and black Baracuta Cloth.

G9 vs G18: which one should you choose?

Choose the G9 if…

• you want the original Harrington, the one that made the style famous;
• you like a short, close fit;
• you mostly wear a T-shirt, a shirt or a fine knit underneath;
• you are looking for a staple that works easily with a classic wardrobe;
• you want a choice of fabrics: Baracuta Cloth, twill, denim or ripstop.

Choose the G18 if…

• you find the G9 too close-fitting or too held in by its ribbing;
• you prefer a looser volume that works with wide trousers;
• you prefer the look of a shirt collar to the Dog Ear collar;
• you want a less expected Baracuta that does not read straight away as a Harrington.

How does the Baracuta G9 fit?

Baracuta uses UK sizes and describes the G9 as slim to close-fitting. The brand advises sizing up if you want more room, especially to wear a jumper or a hoodie underneath.

On conversions, the Baracuta guide matches size 38 to XS, 40 to S, 42 to M, 44 to L and 46 to XL. In our photos, our model (180 cm, 65 kg, slim build) wears the G9 in size 40.

Reference measurements: Baracuta G9 Harrington in Baracuta Cloth

Measurements provided by Baracuta for the G9. These are garment measurements, not body measurements. Chest width: from one armhole to the other, 1 cm below the armhole. Hem width: from one side of the jacket to the other, along the hem band. Sleeve length: from the centre back neck point, over the shoulder, to the bottom of the cuff. Back length: from the centre of the back neckline straight down to the bottom of the jacket. Baracuta uses the notations 2XS / 2XL on its guides; they correspond to XXS / XXL.

[TO MEASURE IN STORE] Baracuta G9 Baracuta Cloth, UK size 40, Baracuta method: chest width (from one armhole to the other, 1 cm below the armhole); hem width; sleeve length, centre back to cuff; back length. Additional AURA measurement, outside the Baracuta chart: shoulder width.

How does the Baracuta G18 fit?

The G18 also uses Baracuta's UK sizes, but its EU equivalents differ from those of the G9. On the Baracuta Cloth versions currently sold by the brand, a G18 UK 38 corresponds to EU S, a UK 40 to EU M and a UK 42 to EU L. By comparison, the G9 matches these same UK sizes to XS, S and M respectively. You should therefore not carry the EU equivalent of a G9 straight over to a G18.

UK / EU equivalents: G9 and G18 in Baracuta Cloth

These equivalents come from the official Baracuta product pages currently published. They show why it is better to size model by model rather than apply a single EU conversion across the whole range. This difference in EU labels also reflects a real difference in volume: in UK 40, the G18 has a 61.5 cm chest width against 56.5 cm for the G9.

Its silhouette gives more room than the G9. Our model (180 cm, 65 kg) wears the G18 in size 40.

Reference measurements: Baracuta G18 in Baracuta Cloth

Measurements provided by Baracuta for the G18 in Baracuta Cloth. These are garment measurements, not body measurements, taken with the same method as for the G9.

We will complement this official data with our own in-store measurements of a G9 and a G18 in UK 40, taken with the same method, so the two models can be compared under identical conditions.

[TO MEASURE IN STORE] Baracuta G18 Baracuta Cloth, UK size 40, Baracuta method: chest width (from one armhole to the other, 1 cm below the armhole); hem width; sleeve length, centre back to cuff; back length. Additional AURA measurement, outside the Baracuta chart: shoulder width.

Which Baracuta size should you choose?

The table below does not replace measurements. It translates Baracuta's guidance and our in-store experience according to your build and the fit you want. This is fit advice, not a size conversion between the G9 and the G18.

To compare accurately, lay a jacket you already wear flat and measure its chest width from one armhole to the other, 1 cm below the armhole. It is the most reliable measurement to decide.

Which Baracuta suits your style?

For a classic Harrington

The G9 in Baracuta Cloth, without hesitation. It is the original cloth and the version that matches everyone's image of the Harrington.

For layering

The G18 takes a knit underneath more easily. With the G9, keep to thin layers or size up.

With wide trousers

The G18 balances a wide leg better. A close-fitting G9 over wide trousers creates a sharper contrast, which can also be a deliberate choice.

With denim

Both work. The G9 with straight raw denim remains the most classic pairing. The heritage denim G9 allows double denim, as long as you play with different washes.

With relaxed tailoring

Over pleated trousers or a shirt, the shirt collar of the G18 fits in naturally. The G9 works too, worn open over wool trousers.

[PHOTO TO PRODUCE] G9 and G18, same model, same size, side and back views, side by side.

G9 and G18 available at AURA

Here are the models currently online. Stock changes over the season: visit the Baracuta collection for the full, up-to-date selection.

• Baracuta G9 Harrington in black Baracuta Cloth
• Baracuta G9 in Lichen Green washed cotton twill
• Baracuta G9 in Light Wash heritage denim
• Baracuta G9 in Dark Navy ripstop nylon
• Baracuta G18 in navy Baracuta Cloth
• Baracuta G18 in black Baracuta Cloth

All of these jackets are made in the United Kingdom. You can also try them on in our store in Rennes.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the Baracuta G9 and the G18?

The G9 is the original Harrington: two-button Dog Ear collar, ribbed cuffs and hem, umbrella back yoke, close fit. The G18 has a shirt collar, an elasticated hem in the shell fabric, cuffs without ribbing, two action pleats at the back and a more relaxed silhouette.

Does the Baracuta G9 run large?

No. Baracuta describes it as slim to close-fitting. It fits close to the body, hence the advice to size up if you want to wear a chunky jumper underneath.

What size should I get in the Baracuta G9?

Your usual UK size for a close fit. According to the Baracuta guide, 38 corresponds to XS, 40 to S, 42 to M and 44 to L. Size up if you want to layer.

Does the Baracuta G18 fit like the G9?

No. Both use UK sizes, but their volumes and EU equivalents differ. In UK 40, the G18 has a 61.5 cm chest width against 56.5 cm for the G9, and 64.5 cm in back length against 66.5 cm. The G18 is therefore wider but slightly shorter: choose each model on its own fit rather than carrying a size straight over.

Which Baracuta is the most classic?

The G9. It is the original model, made since 1937, and the one most people instinctively associate with the brand.

Which is the true Harrington jacket?

The Baracuta G9. The “Harrington” name comes from the character Rodney Harrington, played by Ryan O'Neal in Peyton Place, who wore a G9. The term now covers every jacket of this type, but the G9 remains the original.

Where can I buy a Baracuta G9 in Europe?

At AURA, in our store in Rennes and online at aura-estore.com, with delivery across France and Europe.