The varsity jacket is over 150 years old – letterman sweaters were first worn by baseball players at Harvard in 1865 – but the iconic style has remained fresh and is poised for yet another comeback this fall.

“It’s nostalgic for those of us that fondly remember playing sports and the camaraderie that it brought to everyone from the athletes on the field to the fans in the stands,” says Teak Hernandez, brand director of Counselor Top 40 supplier SanMar (asi/84863).

This letterman jacket (JHA043) is available from Citadel Brands (asi/45222).

The varsity jacket is both an emblem of individual athletic and scholastic achievement and a symbol of coolness. Think of all the times the style has appeared on film and TV – whether it’s the Detroit Lions jacket Eddie Murphy’s character sports in Beverly Hills Cop or the blue-and-gold number worn by Archie in the CW hit Riverdale.

It’s a classic look that never seems to go out of style, particularly as more casual and athletic silhouettes stay strong.

“The popularity of heritage athletic brands like Champion, Puma and Russell are driving this trend at retail, and we see it continuing to be strong in our industry,” says Andrea Routzahn, chief merchant at Top 40 supplier alphabroder (asi/34063).

Greg Brown, CEO of supplier Citadel Brands (asi/45222), also speculates that schools largely going virtual during the pandemic has helped power the spike in demand for the style. With students returning to the classroom this fall, many want to celebrate their school spirit with a varsity jacket, he adds.

But letterman jackets have a much broader appeal than the education market. A custom varsity jacket, perhaps as a team-building incentive, is a clever addition to the corporate apparel mix. The varsity jacket is “a brand identification look that gives you something that can be more stylish than a basic T-shirt,” Brown says.

When it comes to decorating a varsity jacket, the traditional chenille letter patch is still a staple, but it’s certainly not the only option for customization. Consider incorporating embroidery, screen printing, heat transfer or rhinestone bling into the design.

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