Sports and fashion have long been intertwined, creating fashion staples like crop tops and shoes, but the modest varsity jacket is the only sports fashion that has stood the test of time, and only Park Jimin from the South Korean pop group BTS aka Bangtan Boys has it. He made us swoon with this athletic style. While BTS may be the best-dressed boy band ever, we blame Jimin and his love for varsity jackets for inspiring this athleisure-influenced style in our fall/winter wardrobe.
This iconic example of athletic fashion is from the 1865 Harvard University baseball team’s sweater with a pronounced ‘H’ for Harvard. The sweater evolved into the varsity jacket we now know and love—wool with leather sleeves and chenille lettering—after receiving a much-needed seasonal makeover.
Also known as the letterman jacket, the varsity style originated in the 1930s, and the jacket featured patches that typically represented the school’s initials or the athlete’s establishment. Looking for a varsity bomber? Here’s what you need to know about how to bring a youthful, casual feel to any outfit.
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Powerlook co-founders Raghav Pawar and Amar Pawar said, “The return of the sport’s most durable jacket is warmly welcomed as many old fashions are making a resurgence. Designers used the traditional American motif as inspiration to put their own unique spin on the jacket for Spring/Summer 23 menswear designs. Since the launch of these collections, celebrities have been spotted on the streets and at fashion weeks wearing both new interpretations and old pieces.
The jock vibe of the jacket or the customization of it (folding anyone?) may be the reason people keep buying it. Raghav and Amar suggest, “You can wear it from the gym to dinner and drinks afterwards. It’s a bomber jacket. If you’re looking for the perfect athletic style, a varsity jacket might be something you want to have in your wardrobe. Globally, college American fashion has crept into clothing. Varsity jackets are the newest gear fashion accessory to make a big impact on the football field. Varsity jackets were popular at the Fall/Winter 2022 fashion weeks in New York, London, Milan and Paris. Models and onlookers prefer bright vintage designs adorned with funky logos and appliqués.
The Philadelphia Eagles jacket worn by Diana, Princess of Wales on several occasions in the 1990s is not exactly different from the fashions currently in fashion. It is green and gray. The varsity jacket has a fleece body, ribbed cuffs with stripes, leather chest patch and leather sleeves. Currently, wool or cotton blends are used to make most jackets. The real one made you think about your high school crush who joined the band. A well-constructed Varsity jacket is a pass-through item. The perfect weight of wool, which should feel strong yet soft, is 24 ounces (about 640 grams). You can show it off by wearing a pair of shoes and well-fitting pants. You will always feel more influenced by the formal presentation.
