How to Choose the Perfect Color for Your Varsity Jacket?

You really have endless options when selecting the color of your varsity jacket. Whether you have a bold taste or like to stick to the classics, you can customize your jacket however you like. Besides, you can pick different colors for all the elements of your jacket, from the body to even buttons. I know, with so many options, choosing the right combination becomes a challenge. But don’t worry; I’ve got your back! Here are some hot picks to consider for your new varsity jacket. Read along to find the perfect color that reflects your personality and style.

Your Guide to Perfect Varsity Jacket Color Customization

Color defines the whole look of any garment, be it your varsity jacket. So, you have to make this decision very wisely. Besides, students wearing varsity jackets have always been the center of attention. Therefore, the design, color, and make of this outerwear matter more than any other clothing item.

“The color of your clothing reflects your personality. It tells people who you are.” – The Good Trade

Are you getting yourself a varsity jacket? Can’t decide on what color it should be? Here is your guide on what colors to choose and what not to, how many you can choose and what combos are the best for you.

How Many Colors Can Your Varsity Jacket Have?

What makes your varsity jacket a unique outerwear is that it has more than one color. It gives you the freedom to have as many as you want – it's totally up to you! However, it commonly – traditionally – features two colors: primary and secondary. Both of these cover different areas of a jacket.

Type of Colors in a Varsity Jacket
Primary Color	Secondary Color
This one is usually the color of the varsity jacket’s body.	This is the color of sleeves & patches of the jacket.

Apart from this, you should know that the current trend is to have THREE COLORS in your varsity jackets. Although the choice is yours, any more shades than three can make your jacket look tacky. However, if you play smart you can even make up to FIVE COLORS work in one jacket. It’s risky but obviously not impossible.

Anyhow, let’s get to how you can incorporate three colors – the latest trend – in your jacket. Well, the typical varsity jacket design features three main areas:

• Body
• Sleeves 
• Trim & Patches

These are just the basics. But you can really pick different colors for just any element of your jacket including, buttons/zipper, hood, pockets, inside lining, etc.

Important Note! Whether two or three, pick contrasting colors for your varsity jacket. Yes, that’s right! The colors you choose must complement each other. You can’t just pick any colors ever. Be a little thoughtful and make sure all the colors you choose enhance each other’s appeal.

Traditional Color Choice for Varsity Jacket

These jackets were made for students. According to the varsity jacket history, students wore it for the first time to show their school pride and team spirit. Wearing them gave – and still gives – students a sense that they belonged somewhere. And the purpose of wearing these today is the same. Therefore, traditionally, your high school varsity jacket must have the colors of your school or team. Besides, most school jackets have similar colors as the school’s uniform. For instance, the color scheme of the Harvard baseball team is crimson, white, and black. Hence, the letterman jackets of its players should feature these colors.

Did You Know?

Students are usually limited to sticking to the color of their schools. However, they can customize the colors – but to an extent. You can surely play with them but make sure that they don’t differentiate from your school’s colors too much.

Hot Color Picks for Your Varsity Jacket

Students have it so easy; they wear jackets of their school’s color. Lucky them (or maybe not) they don’t have a broad color range to choose from. On the other hand, people like me who want to have varsity jacket as just a fashion statement often can’t decide on which colors are best. It’s even difficult if you’re being your own varsity jacket builder. But as I said before, I’ve got you covered. Here are some top color picks you can go for:

• The Timeless and Classic Black

Black varsity jacket color doesn’t just have a timeless appeal to them. In fact, it is also the safest and the most versatile option. You can wear them both formally and casually. Whether you’re going for a game or just a random friends’ hangout, this outerwear complements your outfits – perfectly so! Plus, black complements so many other colors. For instance, Black, Grey & White or Black, Red & White, etc. The best part: this color suits both men and women. So, put on your black letterman jacket and shine bright in its classy and enduring appeal. 

• Green for a Trendy and Chic Look

Do you know that green varsity jackets are a celebrity favorite? Whether it was the 90s or today, numerous celebrities have been spotted in these green jackets. From Lady Diana’s iconic cover for People’s magazine to Gigi Hadid on the streets, this color has blessed the camera so many times. And this is the reason why this color ranks among the most popular choices. If you’re getting a varsity jacket as a fashion statement and not for your school, you HAVE to have a jacket in this color.

• You Can Play Safe with Neutrals

You know what they say? When in doubt, go for neutrals. This is true! Neutral tones are the safest choice for all sorts of clothing, including varsity jackets. So, if you are getting yourself a custom varsity jacket, but can’t decide on a color, you should choose a neutral color, such as:

• White
• Cream
• Beige
• Gray
• Brown
• Camel
• Olive

And hey, an olive green varsity jacket is not just a safe option. In fact, it’s in trend too. You should know that this color is the hottest choice for fall and winter. Some may think it's so 2023-coded but have my words on it: OLIVE GREEN IS HERE TO STAY – to shine! You’re gonna see it this season, next season, every other season. Besides, a camel-colored varsity jacket is too a nice pick if you don’t want something edgy.

• Navy Blue – Another Classic Option

This color is undoubtedly a dapper choice. Navy blue is another timeless option that will go with every outfit of yours. Going to watch a game? Movie time with friends? Your navy blue varsity jacket color complements every occasion perfectly. Many think navy blue suits outwear like blazers. But it’s not true! This color and your jacket are a match made in heaven. You can pair this with white in the trim, sleeves, and patches. Trust me, it’ll look chic, classy, and trendy!

• Red Color to Make a Statement

It’s a bold color that instantly grabs attention and makes a powerful statement. Moreover, the red color varsity jacket is influential enough to tell everyone that YOU ARE HERE! Undoubtedly, it’s one of the classic picks for your varsity jackets. And it became popular after Michael Jackson wore a red Letterman jacket in a music video for “Thriller”. This iconic moment inspired the masses to get similar jackets. People also placed group orders so they could wear them with their friends. Besides, this is also a versatile choice; you can pair it with so many options like black, white, beige, yellow, and even gold – as the King of Pop did.

• The Fancy Burgundy or Maroon

If you want to combine the varsity spirit of your jacket with old-money core, these two colors are great options. Both these colors exude a sense of class – which is not what a varsity jacket exactly goes for, but it’s a plus. Without being too flashy, burgundy and maroon varsity jacket color makes the wearer stand out in the crowd – in the most stylish way. Also, these are versatile too. For maroon as the base, white or grey is the best secondary color. These perfectly complement the maroon and make it shine. Besides, black is also a considerable option. On the other hand, burgundy pairs well with an array of neutral and bold tones.

Are Pastel Colors Suitable for Varsity Jackets?

Yes, they are! In fact, pastel colors add a touch of FRESHNESS AND SOFTNESS to outerwear. You should also know that pastels have been quite trending for the past few years, especially for the summer and spring seasons. Because they are light shades, they give a breezy, light feel to the jacket. These are popular for adding a gentle and understated appeal to these jackets. Besides, pastel colors are gender-neutral with great versatility in terms of styling. 

• Pale blue
• Baby pink
• Lilac
• Mint green
• Butter yellow

I’ve just gotten started; the pastel options are endless. Do your own research and see which color will go best with your taste in fashion. If you want a jacket with a subtle and approachable appeal, these colors are great.

Here’s a Tip…

Get Yourself a Monochrome Varsity Jacket! While color contrasts are the signature of letterman jackets, you can also go for monochromatic combos. They add a sleek and modern appeal to your outerwear. For instance, if the primary color is black, choose different shades of gray for the secondary.

Bold Color Picks for Your Varsity Jackets

Above, I’ve given you some popular options – that people prefer wearing to be accepted and as fashion-forward individuals. But if you want to really stand out, you have to STEP UP YOUR GAME with some BOLD COLOR CHOICES. Although these picks are not for everyone, they are iconic! If you have an eye for outrageous clothing, these are just right for you! Let’s get into them:

• Purple

For those who want to make a strong style statement while sticking to the conventional primary & secondary combo, a purple varsity jacket is the best pick. It’s a symbol of STYLE, STATEMENT, AND LUXURY. And you should know that purple is a spectrum, including shades like light lavender to deep royal purple. Besides, you can balance it out with neutral complementing colors, like white, beige, grey, etc. If you are a beginner in fashion experiments, this color is great to start with. 

• Neon

Believe me, you can’t get any bolder than this with your varsity jacket color choice. Neon is, hands-down, the BRAVEST YET ATTENTION-GRABBING option for these jackets. You’ll rarely find people wearing their varsity jackets in this color. But those who’ve got a taste for boldness will totally acknowledge it as an amazing pick. The common neon colors include:

• bright yellow
• electric green
• hot pink 

For an energetic and dazzling vibe, get yourself a neon letterman jacket. But remember, it’s not for the school – streets only!

• Camouflage

Why camouflage in the crowd when you can be the center of attention – that too with a CAMOUFLAGE VARSITY JACKET? Truly this outerwear is a vision, but only for those who have the confidence to pull off its bold and edgy design. Technically not a color, but the military-inspired patterns are totally worth being mentioned here. All because of its uncommon, bizarre yet eye-catching look. Want to be a trendsetter? This one’s for you – for sure!

• Floral Prints

This is another bold option – the floral printed varsity jacket. Let me tell you why this is bold. Flowers are usually associated with a feminine appeal. So clearly, these jackets are perceived to be females only – or gays. But hey, it's not for a specific gender, it's for everyone. Yes, that's right! This is the beauty of varsity jackets: it's for people of all ages, genders and races. Besides, floral blueprints are also uncommon because varsity jackets usually don't have patterns let alone flowers on them. Moreover, you should know that these jackets are a great choice for spring/summer outerwear.

Best Color Combos for Varsity Jacket

When worn as a fashion statement, these jackets don’t bind you to stick to any specific colors. You can choose just any shade for the primary and secondary colors of your jacket. Confused about what will look best? Well, here are some options you can go for:

• Black & White
• Black & Gray
• Navy blue & White
• Green & Cream
• Red & White
• Crimson & White
• Royal Blue & Yellow
• Burgundy & Black

Keep in mind the first one in each pair is commonly used as a primary color for the varsity jacket and the second one is the secondary one.

What are the Best Color Options for Varsity Jackets?
Popular	Black, Green, Red, Navy Blue, Maroon, Burgundy
Neutrals	White, Cream, Beige, Gray, Brown, Camel, Olive
Pastels	Pale blue, Baby pink, Lilac, Mint green, Butter Yellow
Bold Choices	Neon, Camouflage, Floral Prints
Best Combos	Black & White/Gray, Navy blue & White/Yellow, Green & Cream, Red & White

Tips to Choose the Perfect Color for Your Jacket!

Want to be at the top of the varsity jacket league? An important step for that is choosing the right color for your jacket. After all, it’s an important component of its overall style. Wondering what color is most perfect for you? Well, we have you covered for that. Here are some proven tips that can help you choose:

• Colors of Your School

If you’re going to shop school varsity jackets, it’s always better that you go for the colors of your school. After all, you’re getting it to represent your school or team. Besides, doing so will not only represent your school spirit but also ensure that your jacket fits in with your team’s uniform. 

• Your Personal Style

You can also choose the colors that represent your personal style. This tip is for those who’re getting letterman jackets for outside of school. Analyze what you like and what will complement the rest of your wardrobe and then make a choice. You should always choose the colors that reflect your personality. 

• Your Skin Tone Matters

Know about the color theory? Well, it’s real! According to it, your clothing should complement your skin tone. Hence, you should customize the color of your varsity jacket style based on this theory – if you want it to look the best on you. For instance, if you have a warm skin tone, prefer neutrals. And people with cool skin tones can go with blue, green, purple, etc.

• How You’ll Use It

It’s the most important thing to consider – when and where you will wear your jacket. If it’s primarily for casual outings, you might choose a fun, eye-catching color. If it’s for more formal occasions or to wear in a professional setting, stick to something more subdued and professional.

Bonus Tip…

Don’t Forget About the Secondary Colors! Most people usually focus on the primary hues and ignore what should be the accent colors for sleeves, trims, and patches. Well, pay special attention to those. After all, they enhance the overall look of your jacket and complement the base.

Final Take on Varsity Jacket Colors!

Summing the topic up, you can two ways to choose the right color for your amazing varsity jacket, including:

• School Colors
• Personal Style

Yes, that’s right! Either you can go with the shades of your school or what you prefer per your personal style. The best part is that you can customize your letterman jacket the way you want. From timeless to edgy and elegant, pick whatever you want. Whether you are a student or a fashion enthusiast, these jackets are for everyone. So, let the inner artist in you take the lead and paint your varsity jacket with just any color you want.