Men's Varsity Jacket
Varsity Jackets dubbed the "winner's uniform," were worn as part of sports, academics, or extracurricular activities uniforms at high schools and universities. Over the years, it has experienced large changes. From being a prestige symbol in any educational setting to becoming a fashion must-have. You've seen the Varsity Jacket in its natural environment if you've ever watched a Hollywood film set in a high school or university.
It all began in 1865 as uniforms for the Harvard Baseball Team, complete with the famous letter "H" sewn on them. Of fact, it was a woven sweater or pullover known as a 'Letterman Sweater aka Varsity Sweater' that changed through time. Fabrics, design, and size of the initialing have changed from a large, prominent alphabet to a more subtle but distinctive appearance it has now. What hasn't changed over the years is the sentiment behind this famous style, which will go on for years to come.
It would be an understatement to say that its continuous evolution and change have been fascinating. Varsity Jackets have evolved and developed since their introduction in the mid-80s to accommodate a wide range of styles, designs, and personalized engravings while keeping the timeless qualities that have made them famous.
While it is correct to claim that Varsity and Letterman Jackets are the same things, the reason for the two designations has more to do with history and level than anything else. Varsity Jackets are worn by persons who are now participating in or have before participated in 'Varsity' level sports, academics, or any other activity that qualifies them for an official Varsity Jacket. Most teams in high schools and universities have a Junior Varsity level as well as a Varsity level, which includes the best players or persons in the field.
The shift from sweaters to jackets is due to the usage of new fabrics, such as cotton, and the addition of leather sleeves, which evolved from the initial wool-only design. The name is derived from the appearance of patched or embroidered letters on the jacket. From the school's name to the athlete's number, these letters can have a variety of meanings. As a result, today's Varsity Jackets include a mix of distinct icons.
What makes this point more interesting is that Varsity Jackets can now be worn by anyone. With the option to customize your jacket to your liking, there's no telling how much more fashionable these coats can become. Isn't the concept, on the other hand, enticing?