Letterman Jackets: A Tradition You Can Make Your Own

The letterman jacket is one of those classic apparel that never go out of style. At the start, it was all about sports and college achievements. But nowadays, it is also a way to show off your style, even long after graduation. Whether you wore one in high school or you're just a fan of it, the letterman jacket holds a special place in the hearts of many.

Even better, you can now customise a varsity jacket that tells your personal story. From colors and patches to names and emblems, it's your time to put on something that truly is yours. In this blog, we will go through everything you should know about a letterman jacket and how to customise one for yourself.

A Quick Look at the History of the Letterman Jacket

In 1865, Harvard University came up with the concept for the letterman jacket. Back then, it was not even a jacket. It was a heavy wool jumper with a large letter "H" sewn on the front. Only the players on the baseball team were allowed to wear it, which represented their school. It was an expression of pride and diligence.

These letterman jackets were later distributed by schools to athletes participating in their school sports teams. These new jackets featured leather sleeves and wool bodies. Although the letters remained the same. Today, the majority of us are familiar with this version.

What Makes the Letterman Jacket So Special?

A letterman jacket is all about reputation. It’s something you earn, whether or not it is for sports, your band, to cheer up your favourite, or other achievements. For many students, getting a letterman jacket is one of the stellar moments in high school.

Even if you’re not in school anymore, the jacket will have the same meaning. It reminds you of efforts, achievements, and the hard times. And nowadays, it’s also a fashionable piece of apparel, mixing a classic look with present-day trends

Why Go Custom?

There are a lot of things you might wanna share with the world, they can be your achievements, your goals, or anything that makes you feel proud. And with the customisation options, you can share anything you want through a jacket. Here are a few points why you should go for a custom letterman jacket:

It's Personal

It tells your story

Perfect for Teams

Head Turner

What Can You Customise?

When you have the option to customise, you can do anything with your jacket. It's totally up to you. Below are some popular ways you can make your letterman jacket unique:

Colour Choice: With this option, you can pick from endless colors for your jackets, and you can also go with two-tone colors.

Name Initial: You can always add your name initials on the front or the back of your letterman jacket.

Custom Patches: This is the most fun part when you are customising your letterman jacket. With endless options of different patches, you can make your letterman jacket stand out easily. Make it fun, make it attractive.

Graduation Year: People also add their graduation year on the jacket as a memento of their school time. Most people place it on their sleeves.

Inside Lining: While customising your letterman jacket, you can also make it unique from the inside. You can simply add special prints or maybe a message.

How to Wear a Letterman Jacket Today

In the start, letterman jackets were only for high school sports teams, but with time, they have turned into something very casual. From high-schoolers to pass-outs, everyone loves their jackets. After all, it gives them nostalgia and helps them express who they are.

Nowadays, adults are also wearing these jackets, some might wear them because they look good, or some might feel nostalgic while wearing them. Here's how you can style them:

For a Casual Look

These jackets are very good for daily wear. Just simply pair it with jeans, sneakers, and a t-shirt, and you’re good to go.

For a Streetwear Style

Streetwear is very common among the youth these days. You can layer the letterman jacket with a hoodie, maybe add a bennie, and some funky sneakers, and here you have a laid-back look.

For a Clean and Classic Outfit

People also wear these jackets to create a clean and formal look. Maybe a button-down shirt tucked in tailored pants, and topping it off with a letterman jacket.

Letterman Jackets in Pop Culture

You can easily say that letterman jackets have stayed popular for many decades. From sports teams to Netflix series to movies, you can spot them everywhere, two main examples from Netflix series where can can easily spot celebrities wearing them are RIVERDALE, and STRANGER THINGS. A few well-known celebrities like Taylor Swift and Kanye West were seen wearing their custom-made letterman jackets.

“Michael Jackson famously wore a varsity jacket in the music video for "Thriller" in 1983

Choosing the Right Custom Letterman Jacket

Thinking about getting your very own first letterman jacket? Here we will guide you on how you can end up with the best one:

Pick a trusted company: You can easily get help on this from Google. Just search for some good custom letterman jackets and make sure you check their reviews before ordering your jacket. Or you can just visit Varsity Made and build your own jacket with us!

Know your size: If you want to have a perfect fit for your jacket, you should know your size, and you must enter it correctly on the website. Most websites also offer size charts, which can also help you.

Design: It’s your world, think of design that’s ahead of time - or just anything you want. Pick as many patches as you want. Just make sure the end result doesn’t look tacky.

Material: At the end, it's all about the durability of the jacket for most people. So, always go for the best material. This will ensure your jacket stays with you in the long run.

Weather: Always make sure you select the material according to your area's weather.

Final Thoughts

A letterman jacket was always more than just a piece of clothing. It's a big part of history and a way to show pride. And now, it’s a way for many people to show off their style to the world. A custom-made letterman jacket always carries a meaning. Whether you are getting your first jacket in school or getting one as a fashion statement, it's never going to be out of style.

A custom letterman jacket is always a great way to tell who you are, where you came from, and what you have accomplished. From the field to the classroom to the streets, it will always be a versatile outerwear.