Varsity jacket is the essence of true American Culture. Everyone who is native to America would know that these jackets are a huge part of their academia. These jackets are mostly wool and leather, making them perfect for all tastes. It has a shiny outer solid look to captivate people’s attention in every room. These jackets represent the rituals and customs of American baseball players who did their best to achieve higher sports success. It is a symbol of victory and success among young men and women. They range from high to low cost, considering the fabric used in the designs applied.
Varsity jacket has a specific style and design that makes them distinctive from other jackets. They are free from all gender differences and available in both women’s and men’s categories. Another variant, the Letterman jacket, comes exclusively for athletes in men’s and women’s categories. These jackets are made in 3 variations, in all wool body and sleeves, all leather, and leather sleeves but body wool to meet everyone’s needs. The fuzzy patches on leather sleeves add an element to the shiny surface of the leather and give strength to the leather sleeves.
Origin of Varsity Jacket.
The term varsity is a short version of University. The word dates back to the 19th century; hence, it has a rich history among students and every youngster. Varsity jackets are especially awarded to athletes of North American university-going students. Varsity jackets have become a fashion trend among local residents of the US community; now, they are not confined to university students.
Varsity Jacket Aka Letterman Jacket!
When a student of North America reaches a certain level of participation within their sports, aka varsity team, they become a Letterman. Letterman is a status; you will receive a letter or monogram patch. This symbol represents the school or college you are enrolled in. It is mostly considered as an establishment’s initials and logo that is mostly used. Now, if that letter or initial symbol is attached to your jacket, this jacket becomes a men’s varsity Letterman jacket.
Harvard University Introduced Varsity Jackets
Harvard University students started this trend in 1865, with a central ” H ” logo stitched as a mark of honor. Back then, it was incredibly prestigious, and it would count you among the elite few high achievers.
The baseball team initiated this trend as part of their sports uniform. Over the years, it evolved from an athletic uniform to a mainstream fashion. People of all ages and genders soon embraced it.
The Color Combination and Materials of Varsity Jacket
They are traditionally made of wool or leather, mainly with a wool body and sleeves. This combination ensures the jacket stays in the best shape possible and lasts longer. When talking about the color combination, don’t be shy of wearing the most flashy colors combined with neutral colors; apart from the color combination and fab, the iconic pattern and letter patches are the primary identification of an authentic varsity jacket. The bold colors with flashy patches make it an exciting combination to catch every eye in the room.
Signature Stand Up Collar
The traditional varsity jacket has a unique band collar design with many bands and strips to add color and comfort. They are designed to feel soft on the skin and protect from the cold breeze of winter. The collar style is signature for varsity jackets adding traditional athletes and sportsmen look. The natives feel pride in wearing them in award ceremonies. The varsity jacket is not only a symbol of achievement but also a fashion statement that exudes a sense of nostalgia and tradition.
It is a timeless piece that continues to be popular among people of all ages, reminding us of the glory days of high school sports and camaraderie. Its classic design and comfortable fit make it a versatile wardrobe staple that can be dressed up or down for any occasion. Whether worn with jeans and sneakers for a casual look or paired with chinos and loafers for a more polished ensemble, the varsity jacket is a must-have item that always goes in style.
Celebrity Approved Fashion!
From Princess Diana of Wales to Rock Stars like Michael Jackson, celebrities have been spotted in classic varsity jackets. Princess Diana wore Philadelphia Eagles twice. She appeared wearing varsity jackets in 1991 and 1995. Over the years, we have seen a couple of celebrities wear varsity jackets. Today, Taylor Swift refreshed our memories by wearing a vintage varsity jacket. Even political figures like Barack Obama wore one during his time at Harvard. Varsity is an easy way to embrace casual, stylish, and undeniable comfort in one jacket.
Inspired from Pop Culture Star Micheal Jackson
You might not know that,
At the premiere concert of” Thriller,” Michael Jackson wore his iconic Red Letterman Jacket. The same jacket he wore at that concert was later auctioned in 2011 after heavy bidding of an incredible 1.8 million dollars. Later, Michael wore a thriller red leather jacket men’s edition, and it became another jacket to auction at a massive price of 2 million dollars.
Conclusion:
The history of the varsity jacket is rich with exciting incidents. Its whole evolution process has made it one of the most popular jackets of the century. Initially, it was exclusive to athletes, but celebrities and global icons adopted it as it grew in popularity. Today, we have multiple options of color and leagues. But the charm of the original Harvard varsity jacket is still unbeatable. These jackets are made to stay in trend for years to come. It is a timeless piece of elegance emerging as a trend for decades.
