Letterman jackets (also known as "varsity
jackets" )are traditionally worn by high school and college students to
represent school and team spirit as well as to show personal awards earned in
athletics, academics or other school activities.
The body of the jacket is typically made of boiled wool, the sleeves made of
leather with banded wrists and waistband. Lettermen jackets are generally made
in the school colors with the body of the jacket in the school's major color and
sleeves in the secondary color. They usually feature a banded collar for guys or
a hood for girls.
The letterman jacket gets its name from the varsity letter chenille patch on the
left chest, which is usually the first letter or the initials of the high school
or college.
The name of the jacket owner typically appears either in chenille (matching the
letter) or is embroidered on the jacket itself. The wearer's year of graduation
is typically in matching chenille, however the name and year of graduation
depends on the tradition of the school. The year of graduation is usually sewn
on the right sleeve or just above the right pocket.