Patches From The Past: The History of Letterman Jackets

Custom patches have a long and distinguished history, and a wide range of functions. Patches are small billboards that can show your personality while providing a notable way to stand out. Adding patches to your favorite garment is a unique way to show off your personality and sense of style.

Letterman jackets have been a popular way for students to stand out for generations, both in high school and college settings. These iconic jackets have served as symbols of achievement, worn by athletes, club members and scholars alike. Granted, they’re not as popular today among students as they once were, but they maintain a consistent popularity, thanks to their adoption as both high fashion and streetwear.

Letterman jackets are typically made of wool and leather. Also known as letter jackets or varsity jackets, they still offer a stylish way to stand out on campus. Let's take a look at  the history of letterman jackets and patches.

The Origins of the Letterman Jacket

The classic letterman jacket dates back more than 150 years. The Harvard University baseball team won 6 games with no losses in its first year, 1865. It’s worth noting that included only one intercollegiate game. The other five were against semi-professional teams. 

To celebrate, the team members began wearing an Old English style “H,” typically centered, on a pullover sweater. Star players were allowed to keep them at the end of the season, while lesser players had to return theirs.

The sweater style proved popular. About a decade later, the Harvard football team adapted the letter for jackets instead of sweaters. Other colleges soon took up their own letter jackets as well, and today they’re common at schools around the country.

Growing Popularity

As more players began wearing letter jackets, star players began wearing chenille patches and stripes on their sleeves. The first photographic evidence of the letterman jacket at the high school level appeared in Phoenix Union High School’s 1911 yearbook. 

The popular woolen and leather jacket we know today was first introduced in 1930. The classic style remains today, complete with chenille letter on the left side.

Letterman jackets became popular for other sports, including basketball, track and lacrosse over the years. Traditionally, the letter was earned for outstanding performance in a sport or other activity.

Girls and Women Get Their Turn Too

Before 1972, letterman jackets were typically the province of male athletes. But Title IX, the law that banned discrimination against female athletes, opened the door to young women lettering in their respective sports as well.  At last, they too could receive the attention and respect a varsity jacket could command.

Beyond Sports

Varsity letters today are awarded for more than just athletic prowess. Band and choir members, robotics teams, math challenge teams, and other academic pursuits also can proudly wear their school letter jacket as well. While some traditionalists decry the use of letters for non-athletic pursuits, others celebrate the added diversity and sense of belonging it fosters in more students.

In Popular Culture

The popularity of letterman jackets and their accompanying chenille letter patches likely peaked in the 1950s, at least as depicted in later films and TV shows. As shown in programs such as “Happy Days,” the classic jacket represented the clean-cut All-American type such as Richie Cunningham. His counterpart on the “greaser” side of the equation was the ever-cool Fonzie, in a black leather jacket instead.

Sometimes, individuals flipped roles, as shown in the movie version of “Grease.” By the end of the movie, bad boy Danny, the original greaser, is wearing a sweater emblazoned with the varsity letter he earned in track. Of course, goodie two-shoes Sandy is transformed into a bad girl by a black leather jacket too, so it balances out.

In the 1980s, musical artists discovered the appeal of letterman jackets. Michael Jackson famously wore one in the legendary “Thriller” video in 1983. Later artists such as Run-DMC, N.W.A. and others adopted the look as well.

Interest Wanes Among Younger Students

Interest in high school letterman jackets has declined in recent years, particularly with Gen Z students. Some claim the appeal has been diluted by the inclusion of more ways to earn a letter. Others say that’s exactly the point, that greater inclusiveness and acceptance doesn’t require a symbolic representation. Even so, a new market for the letterman jacket has emerged – the runways of Paris, Milan and New York.

Letterman Jackets and High Fashion

Even as the popularity of varsity jackets has faded with high school students, it has grown in the world of haute couture. Designers today offer jackets in the timeless style for prices in the hundreds or even thousands of dollars. In a sense, it’s the jacket returning to its elite, Harvard-inspired origins.

Still, the chenille letter and accompanying jacket retain their roots as a garment for everyone. It appeals to young and old alike, from rappers to rockers to retirees. Whether or not the jacket conjures fond memories of high school or college, it maintains an ageless style that’s likely to continue into the foreseeable future.

While upscale varsity jackets sell to an elite audience, the jackets have transitioned to streetwear as well. The street versions often feature bold colors and larger dramatic patches. From Paris runways to the streets of urban America, the garments retain an iconic sense of style that easily transcends any specific era.

Shopping for Custom Letterman Jacket Patches

If you need custom patches for letterman jackets, Patches4Less.com is your go-to provider. We offer a full range of patches of all styles from classic chenille to embroidered, woven or PVC. 

Even if you have an existing letterman jacket style with your school lettering, you can still embellish it with additional patches. Our experienced staff will work with you to find the patch style, size and look to complement your jacket patches. We’ll send you a free digital proof of your new patch design before production begins. 

When you’re ready to order letters for jackets or other patches to customize your letterman jackets, we’re more than happy to answer any questions you might have. Call or email us, or fill out our free quote form to find out more. We’re here to serve all your custom patch needs.