Would You Wear… a Varsity Jacket?
Varsity jackets in high-fashion editorials, on the street and in stores (at ASOS). Photo Credits: 1, 2
Even if you weren’t a star athlete in high school, you can now look like one, thanks to the latest trend in fall outerwear. Varsity jackets are the hot new thing and you don’t have to go back to HS to wear one.
I started noticing letterman jackets in fast fashion shops like Forever 21 and Urban Outfitters, then saw them popping up on street style blogs and being mentioned in comments from CF readers. It appears that us college girls aren’t the only ones interested in the trend – luxury retailers have sent expensive versions of their own down the runway! (See photos below.)
Although this trend doesn’t fit my personal style, I think that it can look fantastic on the right person, like the girl rocking the street style look above. I also love seeing them styled in unexpected ways, like with a skirt and tights, or with colored denim as seen below. Despite the fact that they aren’t for me, I’m anticipating seeing these jackets everywhere come fall.
Letterman jackets spotted at Rag & Bone, Isabel Marant, and Alexander Wang in recent seasons.
All photos courtesy of elle.com.
Will you be rocking a varsity jacket this fall?
Leave a comment below and let me know! How would you wear a varsity jacket? Are these jackets high-school-chic or just a sad blast from the past? Would you wear one from your own high school or buy one at a store like Urban Outfitters?
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Posted on on September 6, 2011 / Filed Under: Would You Wear? / Tags: Alexander Wang, Asos, fall trend, Isabel Marant, letterman jacket, Rag & Bone, Street Style, Urban Outfitters, varsity jacket
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Lindsay
I think some of them are cute and I really like what the girl wearing the skirt did with hers, but I probably wouldn’t wear one. I think in my 4 years oh high school, I wore mine maybe 5 or 6 times, so it will probably just remain in my closet :)
Sally
Personally, I think wearing a high school jacket in college is a faux paux. Wearing your HS letterman is a little dorky, and buying a generic letterman from a store is just silly.
Mina
I tried one on recently and decided that the trend wasn’t for me. It made me feel like an old person trying to fit in with the younger kids.
Rae
I tried varsity jackets and they didn’t work but then tried a girly letterman’s sweater and loveeee it!
Emily
Although I loved wearing my letter jacket in high school, I think the only place I would feel okay wearing it now that I’m in college is if I went back to my school for Homecoming or another sporting event. Otherwise, it’s probably going to stay in my closet.
I do, however, love the varsity cardigans you see sometimes. I know my university bookstore has school-themed ones, and I’ve seen them in catalogs like Delias and Alloy. I feel like varsity cardigans are a lot less high schooler looking and are far easier to work into a college girl’s wardrobe.
Shalanda
I don’t think this trend would work for me either. I am a high school math teacher and I look about 15 years old. So I’m going to pass on anything that will help me blend in with my students even more.
jenniferc
we didn”t have vasity jackets in our school (the football guys just get red windbreakers with our mascot on it) but i still wouldn’t want to wear this trend. i definitely agree with Emily ^ on the fact that varsity cardigans work better for everyday life. i’ve seen these jackets everywhere and i’m actually sick of it.
Megan
Where is jacket in the third pic on the right from?
Lorraine
I’ve been rocking the trend for the past year, it came to Spain (and Europe as well I guess) in fall 2010. Since at least in Spain we don’t have anything like this, clothign wise (no varsity or anything like that here), it doesn’t feel like we’re trying for something. To us, it’s a very college look, and also quite casual.
Usually, I wear it with dark wash jeans, turtle neck and boots. Never sneakers, as it would be too sporty for my liking.
Aryn
Like Lorraine said, I saw this trend last fall while living in France. Only in magazines though, no one actually wore it in real life. I recently saw an article in Foam Magazine that styled a varsity jacket really well that gave it almost an outdoorsy, mountain girl sort look rather than preppy school girl. It was really cute! I think that is the only way I could ever wear such a jacket. Still have not purchased one though!
Aryn
Driftwood and Daydreams
Chiara
I live in Paris and these were in in the spring of 2010. Funny how the rest of the world cartches on :)
Sarah P
I really like my varsity jacket, I bought it in the shops a few months back and wear it quite often. It doesn’t have any lettering on and as we don’t wear them in English high schools so I don’t have to worry about looking young. I like the American vibe it has.
Rin
I loved my varsity jacket in high school, but I would feel weird wearing it now.
dancergrl94
not really my style…i’m currently a senior in high school and never once considered buying one
Tarynn
I hated letterman jackets in high school. So I really don’t want to buy a generic one for college.
applepie
i think this jacket would look good with a pair of thigh socks maybe jeans shorts and a tank top, keeping the jacket open for more femininity :) i think i would try wearing one of these, it looks comfy and i love experimenting
Shannon
The girl in the varsity jacket and skirt (aka the street-style girl) is Andy Torres from Style Scrapbook.
Shmee
I love preppy school-boy style cardigans and blazers, but for some reason, I can’t bring myself to dig the letterman jacket. It’s just too costume-y for me.
Isa
I actually think varsity jackets are cute. A few months ago, though, I saw a picture of this girl on Lookbook.nu wearing one. And I just said, “Oh that’s nice!” But when I read where she got it from, it just said, “Badger High School letter jacket, my dad’s.”
I think the reason why I would never actually buy a varsity jacket from H&M or Forever 21 is because they’re just not genuine. I think it’s kind of like wearing an obviously fake designer bag.
I still think they’re pretty, but to me, wearing your brother’s/dad’s/boyfriend’s varsity jacket has so much more purpose, or reason.
Casey
I agree with Isa, a real one is cool, a fake one is just, well, fake. I lettered in soccer in high school, but didn’t buy the jacket. Maybe I’ll just pin the letter to a sweater :)
madeline
I just bought a fabulous varsity jacket at kohls so thanks for all the idea pictures so I can rock it!
Casey
oh, and that blue and yellow one looks just like my school jacket!
lubster-lobster
I went out yesterday and you see those jackets everywhere here. And by everywhere I mean 10 people in half an hour :/ That’s just way too much for me…
Ali R
I actually just bought one a few weeks ago. I LOVE it.
Caitlin
I’m really liking the street style look, but the varsity jacket just doesnt fit with my wardrobe – I tend to try all different kinds of looks, but preppy is just really not my thing!
Hailey
I like the idea, but I think I personally like letterman and rugby cardigans much more. They aren’t as in your face as the letterman’s jackets are.
S
I tried one on today and it just wasn’t me…
I mean it was comfy but naaah.
Lea
i’ve always wondered why varsity jackets were never mentioned on CF since they`ve been a big thing in europe for a while now…it’s funny cause normally somethings ist a trend in the us first and then comes to europe i think
Demmy
I’m not really into it. Wow, I was just about to post about this on my blog!
freedom
I really like letterman jackets. the trick is to find the perfect one.
I reignited my love from them when i start trending them on Proenza Schouler fall 2010 rtw last year. worn with a white button up , pleated leather mini skirt,loafer heels, and black thigh high socks–it is the perfect mix of preppy and badass. the varsity jacket is a total preppy staple , so fits alot with my style.
I agree with is a in regards to functionality.I want one like in the first picture top left. its so perfect! I like that it has lapels and non metal buttons. it mixed the classiness of a blazer with the edginess of a varsity jacket. Or the ideal jacket could have black leather sleeves and navy suede torso. OR it could have ivory cable kit sleeves. it can be boyfriend or shrunken I like .Isabel Marant styled it, so fresh.
Jen
I really would love to try this trend. I think it’s cool to bring the letterman/varsity jacket back. However, I would never ever wear one from my own high school I think that is a little lame to be perfectly honest.
Rose
Varsity jackets have been big here (UK) for ages. :)
We don’t have Letterman jackets at all over here so it’s a bit different.
Shery
I still have mine from high school and I still wear it during the winter time when it gets super chilly…plus brings back fond memories :)
roundabout
Save your money. This too shall pass… quickly.
L
This trend was popular in the UK last autumn / winter, although I think it was more of a tween / younger teen thing. Personally I found it way too costumey, especially since schools here don’t even have varsity jackets. However, I think a vintage version could be a good look in the right circumstances.
Nikki
I did this trend a couple years ago I was a fan but now if i had to do it again sure. I love going to sporting events so maybe
Melissa
It’s in fashion here in England (where I don’t believe we get REAL varsity jackets!) so lots of people wear them to college and uni, etc :) I wear them too !
Hannah
I had a varsity sweater I picked up at Bluenotes two years ago. I donated it last week because I wore it a total of twice since buying it; really don’t dig this trend much.
Chelsea
I absolutely love this trend, but have a hard time finding cute jackets! I would LOVEEE it if you could post some cute jackets or sites so I could buy one? :)
Holly
Personally, I got my fill of high school jackets when I was in high school…
Kathryn
i found a cute red on e from Delias. I would wear it with a navy pleated skirt, converse, and a white tee