College Varsity Jacket
The College Varsity Jacket is the pattern in its plainest, most standard form. No hood, no stripe, no unusual colourway — just the letterman jacket as it has been made for a century, which is the right starting point if you have never owned one.
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Material: Two-tone body and sleeves with ribbed knit trim
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Fit: Regular fit
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Closure: Front snap buttons
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Color: Two-tone college colours
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Care: Brush and spot clean, dry naturally away from heat
Where the college jacket came from
It started as a baseball jacket, worn by players on and off the field. American schools adopted it as the garment you sewed your awarded letter onto — hence letterman — and the large flat chest and back exist for exactly that reason: they were a surface for letters, numbers and patches.
Understanding that explains the proportions. The jacket is not cut generously by accident; it was cut to be worn over kit and to display things.
The three defining details
Ribbed knit collar, cuffs and hem. A snap front placket. Contrast sleeves. Remove any one and it stops reading as a varsity jacket.
All three are functional. Knit seals the openings against wind without bulk. Snaps lie flat and open one-handed, unlike a zip which creates a ridge. And hard-wearing sleeves take the abrasion that body panels never see.
Fit, comfort and styling
Regular fit with genuine room for a knit or hoodie underneath at your usual size — that layering room is the whole point of the shape. Rib hem at the waist. Size down one for a closer fit over a tee.
Wear it plainly: jeans, trainers, a plain tee or sweatshirt. The two-tone contrast is the feature and it needs nothing helping it.
Made to order, XS to 5XL and custom
Made after you order in XS to 5XL, plus Custom — chest, shoulder, sleeve and back length. If you want lettering, numbering or patches applied, ask before ordering. Free shipping, secure checkout, and honest pricing.
Shop Related Styles at Leather Outlet
Related: Men Varsity Jackets for specific colourways, Varsity Jackets for the full range, Men Leather Jackets for leather outerwear, and Bomber Leather Jackets for a zip-front shape. Browse at Leather Outlet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called a letterman jacket?
American schools awarded a chenille letter to team members, and this was the jacket it was sewn onto.
What makes a jacket a varsity jacket?
Ribbed knit collar, cuffs and hem, a snap front placket, and contrast sleeves. Remove one and it becomes something else.
Will a hoodie fit underneath?
Yes at your normal size — that layering room is the point of the shape.
Can I add lettering or a number?
Ask before ordering and we will confirm what we can apply.
Why snaps rather than a zip?
Snaps lie flat and open one-handed, where a zip creates a ridge down the front.
How do I care for it?
Brush and spot clean rather than machine washing, and dry naturally away from heat.
Do you offer custom sizing?
Yes — XS to 5XL plus Custom to your own measurements.
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