Varsity Jacket – A Classic Garment for all Genders

Varsity jacket – the iconic American garment – is embraced by everyone. Whether men or women, students or fashion enthusiasts, this outerwear has a diverse fan following. Why so? The timeless design, versatile styling options, and cultural significance make varsity jackets a beloved choice across various demographics. Originally worn by male athletes, it has come a long way and has now become a fashion statement. And once a garment becomes a statement, it’s no longer bound by gender barriers. The same goes for these jackets. Let’s trace the journey that made these clothing items so empowering. Read along to find out what events lead to unisex varsity jackets becoming a beloved item for all. 

The Unisex Appeal of Varsity Jacket

The gender-neutral style of varsity jackets makes them wearable for all genders, be it male, female, or any other. Moreover, a varsity jacket has a simple and classic design with a comfortable fit. You should know that this unisex appeal comes from two factors:

• Gender-neutral design elements
• Customizable design elements

This is what makes it suitable for all sorts of people. Its overall appeal is not too masculine or not too feminine. Therefore, it’s loved by all people of the gender spectrum. Besides, the fashion industry's shift towards more inclusive and androgynous clothing has made this jacket even more popular as a gender-neutral item.

Unisex Varsity Jacket Elements

These are some features that make varsity jacket design appealing to everyone, regardless of their gender:

• Classic Silhouette
• Straight Cut
• Ribbed Cuffs & Hem
• Minimal Design
• Pockets, buttons, zip

Because of its classic silhouette, this jacket looks flattering on all body types. A muscular guy? A girlie pop? Well, both can look appealing in varsity jackets – all because of their straight cut. Besides, it has a minimal design, which means not much is happening on it. This is another reason why it looks good on everyone. Other than these reasons, this outerwear is perfect for all because of the practical features like pockets, snap buttons, and zip closures. Simply put, letterman jackets are easy to wear and comfortable for everyone.

Customizable Varsity Jacket Elements

Apart from the unisex design features of varsity jackets, there are some customizable features too. Men or women can be their own Varsity Jacket Builder and adjust them according to their style preferences and comfortability. These include:

• Size

Varsity jackets are available in a wide range of sizes, from petite to plus, as well as oversized fits. This allows individuals to choose a size per their body type and desired style. Some may prefer a more fitted look while others might opt for an oversized fit for a more relaxed and trendy vibe. 

• Colors

Another quality of unisex varsity jackets is that you have plenty of color customization options. You should know that the traditional versions have the colors of the school. However, this is not all you have. Wearers can choose whatever color combos they want. Whether you want to stick to the basics or go with the trends, the options are endless.

• Material

Beyond the standard wool and leather, wearers can opt for different materials for the body and sleeves. You can go for denim or satin, synthetic fabrics, or whatever you like. Really, the choice is yours. Moreover, what materials you decide to go for depends on your preference for texture and durability.

• Patches

By playing with different kinds of patches, individuals can turn their jackets into an expression of their style and identity. This level of customization supports inclusivity by offering diverse choices that cater to all genders. Most people think they can only have school or team-related patches. But this is not true; the options are endless.

With these options, your custom varsity jacket truly becomes an expression of your style and identity. The ability to customize every aspect – from size and colors to patches and materials – defines these jackets as gender-inclusive garments.

How Varsity Jacket Became a Gender-Neutral Garment? 

To unfold how the school staple varsity jacket became gender-inclusive clothing, we’ll have to go back in time. Let’s talk about how it became popular in public and who wore it first among the men and women. 

Origin of Men’s Varsity Jacket

As the history of varsity jackets tells, male athletes of the Harvard baseball team wore it for the first time. This means they were first made for men in the 1860s. These wool outerwear with H for Harvard embroidered on the chest were a symbol of team pride. But why did only men wear them and not women? Well, keep in mind that we are talking about the 19th century. Back then women were less likely to wear jackets let alone varsity jackets.

“During the 19th century, the clothing choices for women exhibited an extravaganza, featuring pinched waistlines, corsets, full skirts, and embellished gowns. There was no concept of females wearing varsity jackets.” – Historic Hudson Valley

In other words, letterman jackets weren’t popular as female clothing. In fact, it was probably an only-for-men item. But why was it like this – women wearing only gowns, skirts and blouses and not something comfortable like varsity jackets? Well, it was so because the clothing choices for them back then were more conservative. They had to dress up a certain way to fit societal standards. However, it wasn’t the case with men, especially those who played sports, Plus, IVY League was one of the most prominent events of that time. So, wearing a varsity jacket for it was surely a historic move by the Harvard athletes. 

Origin of Women's Varsity Jacket

As aforementioned, varsity jackets rose to fame among students playing sports. Gradually, many high schools started awarding these jackets to their high-achieving students too. In other words, both sports and academic stars wore these jackets as a symbol of their 

accomplishments. Besides, high achievers didn’t just include male students too, but women too! This means varsity jackets may be introduced to women when high schools started giving them to their star students. Before that, people only saw men – athletes – wearing these jackets. However, you should know that there were little to no female students back then in the 19th century. Therefore, seeing a woman wearing a varsity jacket was still a rare sight. However, the time finally came and varsity jackets for women became a thing in the 50s and the 60s.

Unlike the initial letterman jackets – made for men, women’s jackets had a feminine appeal to them. Besides, the first-ever varsity jacket was made of blue wool body and yellow leather sleeves. Both female athletes and academic achievers used to wear these jackets. These saw their peak popularity in the 60s and 70s too. At that time, they weren’t just for athletes anymore. In fact, cheerleaders were also wearing them. Apart from this, non-athlete female students who wanted to make a fashion statement also started wearing these letterman jackets with their school’s initials embroidered on them.

Varsity Jacket’s Entry in Pop Culture

Varsity or letterman jackets entering into hip-hop culture was really a turning point for these garments. It was the time when these jackets got out of high school and became a part of fashion. Moreover, it was all because of the celebrity influence. From music videos to movies and even the runway, these jackets became a part of everything. Let’s talk about how this revolution in varsity jacket’s definition impacted its audience:

Male Celebrity Influence

Initially, we only saw male celebrities wearing these jackets. For example, history has seen Elvis Presley wearing a varsity jacket. Iconic, right? But it cannot match the level of the King of Pop Michael Jackson wearing a red and gold varsity jacket in the thriller music video.

The athlete's influence was impactful enough to inspire boys to get these jackets for themselves. But when they started seeing them in movies and their favorite celebrities wearing them… there was an explosion in their popularity!!! To this date, viewers have seen many movies featuring this iconic garment. Their favorite stars wearing these jackets inspire them to get one for themselves too. In fact, they had started making group orders to match their jackets with their friends. But what about the women celebrities? Were they all about gowns and fancy dresses and no comfy clothes like varsity jackets?

Female Celebrity Influence

Women varsity jackets have made a significant impact on pop culture. In fact, they became a staple in mainstream fashion and a symbol of style and youth culture. Over the years, they have been showcased in various movies, TV shows, and music videos. Undoubtedly, celebrities and fashion influencers have played a significant role in popularizing female varsity jackets. From Beyoncé and Rihanna to Taylor Swift and Blake Lively, many style icons have been spotted rocking these jackets throughout the years.

These jackets have also become a symbol of female empowerment and inclusivity. Apart from power clothing, letterman jackets also became a way to express individuality and challenge traditional fashion norms.

Final Take on Varsity Jacket as a Gender-Inclusive Garment!

Varsity jackets have evolved from a male-dominated sports garment to a beloved unisex fashion staple. This happened all because of their classic design, comfort, and cultural significance. Its unisex elements and customizable features make this jacket perfect for every fashion enthusiast. Instead of being associated with a specific gender, a varsity jacket has become a symbol of personal expression and style. And this is what clothing should be about. Over the years, the definition of fashion has changed; it’s shifted more toward non-binary clothing. Moreover, timeless clothing is the one that can keep up with that definition. And here we have it, a varsity jacket as a trending outerwear. After all, it breaks away the traditional clothing standards and promotes inclusivity.