How Two British Brands Fixed the Flaws in a Menswear Classic

Some collaborations feel inevitable. The partnership between FRAHM and Wingback falls squarely in that camp—two British brands that share an almost obsessive devotion to doing fewer things, but doing them exceptionally well.

The Jacket That Started It All

At the heart of this collection sits the FRAHM x Wingback Harrington Workshop Jacket, and it’s worth understanding what makes this piece special. The Harrington jacket has serious pedigree—originally conceived as a golfing coat in 1950s Britain, it became the unofficial uniform of American icons like James Dean, Elvis, and Steve McQueen before punk and mod movements claimed it as their own.

But here’s the thing about classics: they often get stuck in their era. The traditional Harrington, for all its cultural cache, suffers from shapeless cotton, fiddly buttons, and those hand pocket flaps that inevitably curl and look sloppy after a few wears.

FRAHM saw an opportunity to honor the silhouette while fixing its fundamental flaws. Their Workshop Jacket maintains the Harrington’s clean lines but adds what they call “armored shoulders,” hip adjusters, and steel trim that references the style’s motorsport connections. The fit is more structured, more masculine—built for the modern man who appreciates heritage but demands performance.

Materials That Actually Matter

The real story is in the fabric. Halley Stevensons of Dundee—the same mill that’s been crafting technical textiles since 1864—provides the mid-weight ripstop dry-waxed cotton exterior. This isn’t your grandfather’s sticky, heavy waxed jacket that required annual reproofing rituals. This machine-washable fabric offers shower resistance and breathability while maintaining that coveted waxed aesthetic. The ripstop construction prevents snags and sagging, ensuring the jacket maintains its angular, structured shape wear after wear.

The collaboration’s genius reveals itself in the details. Wingback, the London-based design house known for their precision-engineered carry goods, contributed CNC-machined bead-blasted stainless steel zip pullers. These aren’t decorative flourishes—they’re functional upgrades attached via Kevlar cords to custom YKK stainless steel zippers. Even the rear hip adjusters feature hardened steel poppers that can withstand serious use.

The Tactical Luxury Approach

Balance comes via a beautifully soft pure cotton moleskin lining that extends through the high funnel-neck collar, scalloped cuffs, and hand pockets. Soft vegetal-dyed Tuscan leather, embossed with the combined logos, appears at the right upper arm and inside neck—subtle branding that speaks to those who know.

The pockets deserve special mention. These aren’t afterthoughts but purpose-built compartments designed to accommodate Wingback’s tools: a dedicated pen pocket and a book pocket sized specifically for their A6 notebook. It’s this kind of thoughtful integration that separates genuine collaboration from mere co-branding exercises.

The Complete Carry System

The Wingback pieces in this collection showcase the brand’s signature bead-blasted steel finish—a process that involves blasting steel with 220-grit glass bead particles at 100 meters per second. The result is a softer-to-the-touch surface with a uniform matte texture that’s distinctly more refined than traditional steel finishes.

The Mechanical Pen and Key Cache both benefit from this treatment, with the latter serving as discreet storage for emergency cash—the kind of practical consideration that separates everyday carry enthusiasts from casual users. The Winston Wallet and A6 Refillable Notebook, both crafted from full-grain Tuscan leather in England, complete the system. The wallet accommodates four to twelve cards plus up to twenty bank notes, while the notebook cover fits standard A6 soft-cover Moleskine notebooks perfectly.

The Anti-Fashion Philosophy

Perhaps most importantly, this collaboration represents something increasingly rare: the anti-fashion approach. FRAHM operates on a simple principle—they upgrade classic men’s jacket styles, period. No seasonal collections, no trend-chasing, no pressure to reinvent every six months. They make each design once a year, deliver it to customers, then spend the next year perfecting the next iteration.

It’s a philosophy that aligns perfectly with Wingback’s approach to carry goods—create fewer products, but make them so well that you’ll still be using them decades from now. This isn’t gear designed to live on Instagram; it’s built for the long haul.

The Bottom Line

When the FRAHM x Wingback Workshop Collection launches on August 14th, 2025, it will represent something increasingly precious: luxury with purpose. These aren’t status symbols designed to impress strangers—they’re tools designed to improve your daily experience, whether you’re navigating city streets or heading to far-flung destinations.

The full collection bundle includes the black Harrington Workshop Jacket, Refillable Notebook, Winston Wallet, Mechanical Pen, and Key Cache. Wingback pieces ship immediately, while the jacket operates on a pre-order basis with delivery expected in late April 2026—a timeline that speaks to FRAHM’s commitment to doing things right rather than fast.

In an era of disposable fashion and planned obsolescence, this collaboration celebrates gear that’s both tough and beautiful. It’s luxury designed to be used, tested, and trusted—the kind of pieces that tell better stories the longer you own them.