Varsity jackets were once the solitary privilege of American collegiate athletes. Wearing one was a sign of your prowess and achievements, and it didn’t occur to anyone outside of the sphere to acquire one.
Times change, and the varsity jacket has now become a regular fashion item for many. By the nature of their design, the garments are casual, but there are ways to adapt and accessorize that can turn them into high fashion.
Style it Your Way
A varsity jacket can also be referred to as a lettermen-style jacket. The lettermen aspect takes the original item and adapts it to fit the individual wearer. Traditionally, college athletes would personalize their jackets to show their achievements and successes on the field of play.
Outside of those colleges, anyone wearing a varsity jacket as a fashion statement can also follow this trend. Typically, they might place their initials on the breastplate to make them distinct from anyone else wearing the same item.
It’s a simple change, but one that makes a varsity jacket stand out from other wearers.
The Leather Look
The fashion house Prada can claim some credit for the return of Varsity jackets. In 2023, they produced a version that was entirely made of leather. Known as the ‘Phygital,’ Prada’s design brought the garment back into the public eye, and sales have been consistent.
Prada’s Phygital product is a high fashion item, but if your budget doesn’t stretch to a purchase, you can improvise and add leather to your original varsity jacket. Sewing on leather patches to the elbows can enhance the appearance while potentially helping the item to have a longer shelf life.
Slash the Sleeves
Classic varsity jackets use vinyl sleeves. It’s not the most comfortable material and it can have a tendency to break down quickly. That’s why another trend sees wearers replacing those sleeves.
Once again, leather is a great option as a hard wearing and fashionable material. If you want your jacket to truly stand out, removing the sleeves altogether is a more radical approach.
Stylish and Practical
A warm and cozy varsity jacket can be an ideal garment for the colder months, but there is one thing missing from the look. If it rains, there’s no option but to get wet or put up an umbrella, and neither is cool.
Another solid suggestion is to turn your jacket into a hoodie. It’s a relatively simple project requiring basic skills, but you can always outsource to a friend or a professional. The hood could be made from the same material, using the same colour as the main jacket, or you can mix and match to make the garment more individual.
The Smart Look
Choosing the rest of your outfit can make a huge difference to the look of your jacket. A cap and cargo pants complete a casual appearance and is perfect for lounging around at home. If you wear the jacket with some shorts, you might even be mistaken for an original collegiate athlete. Casual is the most popular option, but there are ways to make the jacket look smarter.
If you want to make your varsity jacket more formal, simply pair it with some tailored pants. Classic primary colours are best if you want to carry off this look. Black is ideal with maybe a white tee to enhance the smartness and make your varsity jacket the center of attention.
The varsity jacket is a versatile item of clothing and it’s one that underlines how there will always be a place for retro fashion. That versatility is often limited to casual scenarios, but these tips show that the garments can be worn in more formal settings.
Fashions naturally change, but the ongoing success of varsity jackets suggests that they’re not going away anytime soon. As a casual and potentially formal option, buying one could even be seen as a wise investment.
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