|
|
 |
|
Varsity, Letter and Award Jackets |
|
|
|
| |
Most of us know a “letter jacket” [aka “lettermen’s jacket”] when we see one – a wool-bodied leather-sleeved [sometimes vinyl] jacket, being sported on campus or around town by an athlete. By way of formal definition, a letterman’s jacket is a garment sporting the “letter” or symbol which the student has earned in his or her sport. One can earn a letter in swimming, soccer, football, gymnastics – any athletic activity in which the school/college participates with other schools/colleges in competitive play. Quite often the connotation of a letter jacket is one that pertains to having lettered in one of the school’s or college’s varsity sports. [Note: Varsity here describes sports teams at schools or colleges which are at the most skilled level of play, i.e., the primary or principal team in any given sport [varsity vs. junior varsity]. A great selection of award and varsity jackets may be found here.
As for Award jackets, in the words of one writer “it’s just a piece of clothing with awards attached to it”. But, in the grander scheme of things, it’s much much more. From an anonymous writer’s pen comes the following poetry:
An award jacket is a start and a finish. It’s a person’s first real badge of adulthood, of accomplishment and victorious memory. It’s a goal achieved, after years of dreams and sweat.
An award jacket is a reminder of bruises and aching muscles, it’s a symbol of belonging, a mortar of team and camaraderie . . . of friendships earned. It is moments of victory and defeat, strung like white and crimson banners in the vast stadium of memory. It is the leather of adventure, the wool of combat and heroics. . . . the excited hum of competition . . . cheers that burst like sky-rockets. It’s the color of loyalty, discovered and developed. In its creases and folds are loomed and tanned all the efforts of a person to become an adult. It is a union between language, creed and color.
This is the AWARD JACKET.
Whether sported by a high school or college/university student, the varsity or letterman’s jacket, aka award jacket, is typically in one’s school colors and often with stripes on the collar, wrist and waist bands. Adorning the jacket will be a school varsity letter, school name or mascot, student’s name, year of graduation, sport or activity, and special accomplishments. One or more of these decorations may be in the form of embroidery or a chenille [embroidered or stitch patch].
As noted earlier, the letter [or award] jacket comes with leather or vinyl sleeves. As to why, this seems to be shrouded in mystery at the moment, although one can easily speculate that leather/vinyl fabric will hold up better over time – to the wear and tear on the elbows and arms of active teenagers, and also that it may be more comfortable to the wearer, particularly if he/she is wearing something short-sleeved underneath the jacket.
Note: Special thanks to Jamie Richardson and the VLAS [Varsity Letter Award Society] for the research they’ve done on the history and origins of “the award jacket.”
A classic example of an award jacket is the Holloway style number 4181. This has a 24-oz. wool melton body, vinyl sleeves and pocket trim, is quilt lined and built with heavyweight mixed rib knit cuffs, waistband and stand-up collar. All the details about this award or varsity jacket here. Another illustration is the Charles River style 9979 - designed with a Summit Fleece shell [w/anti-pill finish] and lightweight RiverTec nylon lining for easy on/off. It features 14.75 oz. fleece [12.75 oz. for light heather grey on sleeves], 2-tone rib knit at the collar, cuffs and waist, light heather grey contrast color sleeves, easy-entry side pockets w/hidden snap closure, inside valuables pocket, dyed-to-match zippers, and an embroidery stow-away pocket.
|
|
|
• Online prices: For "blanks"
•Shipping: $10 if order < $250
•Shipping: 8.0% if order subtotal > $250 and 8% for custom orders
• Embroidery & Screen printing: Avail. by request, 25-piece minimum
• No international shipments
[except APO and FPO]
|
|
|
