Letterman jackets hold a special significance in high schools and colleges as symbols of school spirit and personal achievement. Traditionally awarded by schools, today’s custom letterman jackets let you design your own stylish and meaningful varsity jacket.
Contents
The Letterman Jacket Tradition
A letterman jacket is a varsity jacket worn in American schools to display school pride and accomplishments. The name comes from the tradition of embroidering a large varsity letter on the front to represent the school.
Letterman jackets feature leather sleeves in school colors along with a knit or wool body. Custom patches, text embroidery and other details are added to highlight the wearer’s identity, sports participation, honors and more.
Letterman jackets originated in 1865 with Harvard’s baseball team embroidering a “H” on their sweaters. In the 1930s, the modern leather sleeved, wool bodied version emerged. They were originally only for elite athletes but today are more inclusive.
Source: howlernews.com
Why Choose a Custom Letterman Jacket
Custom letterman jackets allow you to create a varsity jacket that’s uniquely you. While letterman jackets of the past followed tradition, now you can:
- Pick colors, fabrics like leather, wool, cotton
- Add name, year, number, phrases
- Select from endless decorative patches
- Choose school, club, award, achievement patches
- Pick stylish fonts, sizes, and layouts
- Embroider designs, logos or images
- Arrange all details exactly how you envision
With full customization, you control the aesthetics for a one-of-a-kind varsity jacket.
Designing Your Custom Varsity Jacket
Follow these tips when creating your own custom letterman jacket:
- Choose meaningful patches – Pick patches for your school, sports, academics, hobbies.
- Note major accomplishments – Add patches for state championships, other big awards.
- Consider classic colors – Traditional hues like navy, black, white have lasting appeal.
- Go bold – Show your vibrant personality with bright reds, greens, yellows.
- Size up – Order a size larger for a roomier fit to layer clothes.
- Mind sleeve material – Leather sleeves hold shape better than knits.
- Focus on fit – Measure your chest, shoulders, arms for ideal sizing.
- Make the back stand out – Use the back of the jacket for prominent designs.
- Accessorize – Pins, embroideries and other touches make it one-of-a-kind.
- Wool vs. leather – Wool provides warmth, leather offers structure.
Source: vogue.com
Where to Buy a Custom Letterman Jacket
You have several options for purchasing a unique custom letterman jacket:
- Local tailor – Tailors and embroidery shops can make fully custom jackets.
- Online tailor – Etsy sellers and other online tailors let you design your own.
- Varsity jacket websites – Sites like Custom Letterman Jacket offer customization.
- Sporting goods stores – Stores like Academy Sports or Hibbett Sports sell customizable jackets.
Provide all details – patches, text, colors, sizes, etc. so they can create your vision.
Unique Ways to Wear Your Letterman Jacket
The best part of custom letterman jackets is wearing them in your own style. Pair with athletic wear and sneakers for a sporty vibe. Or make your jacket trendy with ideas like:
- Jacket + jeans + graphic tee + sneakers
- Jacket + khakis + collared shirt + loafers
- Cropped jacket + leggings + tank top
- Jacket over dress for ladies
- Rocker look with jacket, jeans, boots
- Preppy style with jacket, trousers, collared shirt
A custom letterman jacket works beyond high school as a forever fashion piece. Style it to match your personal tastes.
Evolving Your Jacket Over Time
A benefit of custom letterman jackets is you can update them over time. As you join new activities, earn new honors, and express yourself in new ways, add:
- Patches when you make new sport teams each year
- Academic honor patches as you achieve them
- Championship patches for any new titles
- Patches when you join new school clubs
- Name patch if you change last name
- Inside phrases reflecting your growth
Let your jacket tell your ongoing story.
Source: engageind.com
FAQ About Custom Letterman Jackets
Answers to some frequently asked questions about designing your own custom varsity jacket:
What fabrics work best?
The traditional wool or leather. Wool for warmth, leather for structure. Cotton, corduroy, satin and knits are also options.
What can I customize?
Name, year, number, patches for sports/clubs/honors, embroidery, phrases.
What is the cost?
Prices range from $100 – $300+ depending on materials, customizations, jacket maker.
How long does it take?
3-4 weeks from order to delivery plus shipping time. Rush orders sometimes available for an extra fee.
Can I design custom patches/embroidery?
Yes, most sellers allow you to provide designs to embroider on the jacket. Make them meaningful.
Can I buy patches separately to sew on?
Some sites sell varsity jacket patches for DIY customization. But pre-designed jackets will look more polished.
Source: snitch.co.in
Represent Your School in Your Own Style
For students looking to display their school spirit, custom letterman jackets allow you to do it your way.
Rather than following past traditions, make letterman jackets trendy again through personal customization. Add colors, fabrics, embroideries, patches and other touches that showcase your individual flair.
Design a custom varsity jacket that represents your one-of-a-kind identity. Whether inspired by old-school classics or new-school trends, customize a letterman jacket as distinctive as you!
