Why McGREGOR's Legendary Drizzler Jacket, a Blend of Tradition and American Casual, Remains an Enduring Classic

When people hear the name McGREGOR, the red jacket worn by James Dean is often the first thing that comes to mind.

While that image is undoubtedly iconic, we're here to take a fresh look at why McGREGOR's "Drizzler Jacket" is a timeless staple of American casual wear.

We sat down with Shun Okubo, Manager of the Men's Planning Section in the Apparel Division at Sojitz Infinity Inc., to discuss the past, present, and future of McGREGOR.

The Founder with Scottish Royal Lineage and the Brand's Origins

"McGREGOR was founded in 1921 in New York, USA, by a man named David Doniger. Originally from Scotland, Doniger moved to America to launch the brand. He was a descendant of the MacGregor clan, a branch of Scottish royalty, and this lineage became the origin of the brand's name.

As a descendant of this noble family, Doniger had the rights to a coat of arms and a 'house check,' a signature plaid pattern akin to a family crest. He used these as design inspiration for his clothing line.

It was this unique background that allowed McGREGOR to grow into a popular apparel brand that blended British-inspired tastes with accessible clothing. That's how it all began."

The Signature "Scottish Drizzler®︎" and the Lineage of the "Big Three" Items

Whether in America or Japan, the "Drizzler Jacket" is synonymous with the McGREGOR name. But when exactly did this iconic jacket first appear?

"The Drizzler Jacket was first introduced in 1945 and celebrated its 80th anniversary last year. It was originally launched as a sports jacket designed to protect golfers from light rain, or 'drizzle,' and was initially sold under the name 'Scottish Drizzler®︎'.

It became a massive success in the United States during the 1950s. From that point on, this style of jacket became widely known simply as a 'Drizzler' in America.

Interestingly, while the name 'Drizzler Jacket' is common parlance today, it is actually a registered trademark of McGREGOR. This means that, officially, only products made by McGREGOR can be called a Drizzler Jacket."

"Another legendary moment in the brand's history is when James Dean wore a McGREGOR jacket with a pair of 'Lee' jeans in the 1955 film *Rebel Without a Cause*. This has become an iconic part of the brand's story.

To be precise, however, the model he actually wore was the 'ANTI-FREEZE JACKET,' a version of the Drizzler with an insulated lining.

Thanks in part to this film, the image of McGREGOR became firmly cemented as 'the brand with the red jacket.'"

"While the brand's roots are in Scotland, it was raised in America. This gives McGREGOR its unique appeal: a blend of a sporty, all-American essence with classic, traditional elements.

Over its long history, McGREGOR has become famous for what are known as its 'Big Three' items.

In addition to the Scottish Drizzler® and the ANTI-FREEZE JACKET that we've already covered, there's one more: the 'RAM JET JACKET.' The original version of this jacket was a flight jacket developed by McGREGOR back in 1940 as cold-weather gear.

McGREGOR actually supplied uniforms to the U.S. military during the 1940s and 1950s. As a nod to that heritage, flight jacket-inspired pieces remain a key part of their standard collection."

The Made-in-Japan Scottish Drizzler®: A Modern-Day Classic

McGREGOR first arrived in Japan in 1965, marking a history that now spans more than 60 years.

Last year was a landmark, celebrating 80 years since the birth of the Scottish Drizzler® and 60 years of the brand in Japan. To commemorate the occasion, a Made-in-Japan Scottish Drizzler® was released, faithfully recreating the 1945 model. It has quickly become a highly popular staple.

Now, let's take a closer look at the finer details of this exceptional model.

"The name 'Drizzler' is derived from the term for a light, misty rain. The Scottish Drizzler® was engineered with a specially developed water-repellent fabric to handle precisely these conditions.

Back in the 1940s, the advanced water-repellent textiles we have today were non-existent. The solution was to weave cotton for the weft and rayon for the warp to achieve water resistance. This specific blend of 45% cotton and 55% rayon has been a constant from that era to the present day.

When it comes to the jacket’s features, the back yoke is double-layered, allowing rain to slide off effortlessly. The pockets are also a standout feature. They are reverse-set single-welt pockets, a clever design that prevents rain from seeping in.

It also boasts what are known as 'enclosed pockets,' which are framed with square piping. This was another ingenious touch from the period, designed to keep raindrops out. Today, this pocket design is so recognizable that it has become an iconic feature of the Scottish Drizzler®.

Another signature detail is the shirred cuffs. Elastic is built in between the cuff buttons, a practical feature originally intended to keep sleeves from slipping down when rolled up for a game of golf. It remains a handy detail for everyday wear even now.

All in all, the Scottish Drizzler® was an exceptionally high-performance garment for its time in the 1940s."

Passing the Torch: The Future Vision for McGREGOR

We've explored the history of McGREGOR, but now, let's look ahead to the new developments for the Spring/Summer 2026 season.

"The Scottish Drizzler® is currently offered in five colors: D.RED, KHAKI, CAMEL, S.GRAY, and BLACK. This spring, G.BLUE and NAVY will join the lineup, expanding the palette to seven colors.

What’s more, a version with back embroidery and a limited-edition model featuring fabric from the esteemed British shirtmaker Thomas Mason will also be released, bringing the total number of styles to nine.

The embroidered model showcases the words 'Rowing Crew.' This ties into McGREGOR's core concept of 'timeless preppy style,' with the sport of rowing serving as a perfect emblem of crisp, preppy athletics and America's wholesome sports culture.

This jacket features embroidery inspired by these classic rowing teams."

"The other special release is the Thomas Mason model. It's crafted from fabric by the legendary British shirtmaker, a name familiar to any shirting aficionado, creating a lightweight jacket perfect for summer wear."

"Last Autumn/Winter saw the launch of a new line, 'Mc McGREGOR.' While the 'Mc' in McGREGOR traditionally means 'son of' or 'descendant,' we’ve reinterpreted it to also signify 'the next generation.'

Based on this concept, the new line was named Mc McGREGOR. True to its name, it offers a range of contemporary items geared toward the next generation.

It's a collection that embodies the McGREGOR of today while paying homage to the brand's cherished heritage."

We've delved deep into the rich history of McGREGOR.

This conversation has reinforced the Scottish Drizzler®'s status as an enduring classic and a cornerstone of American casualwear, truly symbolizing the brand. At the same time, I found myself captivated by the brand's forward-thinking initiatives, like the limited-edition items and the next-generation line, which demonstrate a commitment not just to the past, but to the present and the future.

Honoring timeless quality while continuously evolving with the times—it's this very philosophy that defines the enduring appeal of the McGREGOR brand.