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There has always been that one item of clothing that gains popularity over the years and a consistent item has been the Varsity jacket. While back in the day it was symbolic for athletic achievement (usually in American high schools and colleges), today it has become associated with both streetwear and luxury fashion brands.
In this article, we look at its history, journey and why it remains a staple item of clothing in the fashion industry today. Read on to find out more.
A brief history
The varsity jacket (known by some as the letterman jacket or streetwear varsity jacket has a longstanding history. It was in the 1860s when the basketball team at Harvard University were awarded this item of clothing as a reward for their performances. The early versions look much like the ones that exist today, woollen with leather sleeves and the iconic varsity letter on the chest.
At the beginning these jackets only really belonged to student athletes — because of this they became a symbol of status in schools across the USA.
Varsity jackets and streetwear
It was during the 1980s and 1990s that varsity jackets ended up moving outside of realms of the academic world and became something of a staple in street fashion. This is largely thanks to hip hop culture, with artists like N.W.A., Run-DMC (and just a few decades later, Kanye West) who began to wear varsity jackets — blending a sporty aesthetic with a more casual one. The varsity jacket quickly became a symbol of confidence and rebellion as more celebrities began to wear it.Some of the biggest brands in streetwear took notice. Popular labels like A Bathing Ape (BAPE), Stússy and Supreme all began to release their own versions of the varsity jacket. This made the item even more coveted and marked the items move into high fashion.
The varsity jacket hits the runway
Once streetwear brands had brought the varsity jacket into the world of fashion, the luxury brands began to jump on the trend. Luxury designers began to reinterpret this traditional and classic design for the runway, with brands like Balenciaga, Gucci and Louis Vuitton introducing their own high-end variations.
One of the first times that the varsity jacket actually made an appearance on the runway was within Louis Vuitton’s Fall/Winter 2017 collection which was designed in collaboration with Supreme by Kim Jones.
Many luxury brands began to experiment with the fabric, cut and details – helping it to evolve away from its roots in education and giving it a high end look and feel.
Why does it still appeal today?
Even after a century of people wearing it, the varsity jacket remains a staple in many wardrobes today in 2025. As a versatile piece of clothing, it can be styled in a huge range of different ways, from a casual streetwear-inspired look to high fashion – and works well seasonally.
One of the reasons it remains so popular today is that so many celebrities, designers and influencers continue to bring it to collections and wear it in the public eye. From musicians like Taylor Swift, to influencers like Hailey Bieber, Gigi Hadid and Meghan Markle, it’s continued to appeal to new generations. Blending modern style with heritage and a nostalgic charm – its appeal continues to be as strong as ever before.
It’s likely that the varsity jacket will continue to remain a much-loved (and worn) item of clothing for many more generations to come. And that the style of it will evolve over time. From its rich history to its iconic style, no other jacket can beat the simplicity behind the style of a Varsity jacket. Streetwear adopted the style, and it is where it remains being revived by artists every year, returning in different colours and fabrics.
For now the jacket remains a high fashion icon and will do for the seeable future.