About Varsity Jackets

A Varsity Jacket is traditionally worn by high school and college student-athletes to represent the school and team pride as well as to display personal awards earned in athletics. The body is made of wool and the sleeves of leather or Naugahyde with banded wrists and waistband. Varsity Jackets are usually produced in the school colors with the body of the jacket in the school’s primary color and sleeves in the secondary color. The Varsity Jacket derives its name from the varsity letter chenille patch on its left breast, which is almost always the first letter or initials of the high school or college the jacket came from. The name of the athlete is usually embroidered directly on the jacket itself. The athlete’s graduation year will be done in matching chenille colors. The placement of the name and year of graduation depends on school tradition. The year is most often sewn on the right sleeve or just above the right pocket. The school logo and symbols representing the student’s activities may also be sewn on the jacket. Varsity Jackets are almost never purchased before a student has earned a letter. In schools where only varsity letters are awarded, this is usually in a student’s junior or senior year. In schools where junior varsity letters are awarded, the jacket may also be purchased by junior varsity letter recipients. The junior varsity letter is placed just above the left pocket, leaving space for a future varsity letter. Many graduates will keep their letters