Men's Varsity Leather Jackets

A leather varsity jacket is the one with the wool body and the leather sleeves. Ribbed collar, cuffs and hem, a row of snap fasteners up the front instead of a zip, and usually a patch on the chest. It came off American college campuses in the 1930s and it has never really left.

Varsity or letterman? Same jacket

Two names for one thing. Letterman is the older American word, from the embroidered letter awarded to players who made the team. Varsity is what most people in the UK say now. A men’s varsity letterman jacket and a mens varsity jacket are the same garment, so search for either.

What makes it a varsity jacket

Four things have to be there. A body in wool or melton. Sleeves in leather, which is where our versions differ from the cheap ones using vinyl. Ribbed knit at the collar, cuffs and hem. And a snap front rather than a zip. Take the leather sleeves away and it becomes a baseball jacket. Put a zip on it and you are closer to a bomber jacket.

Black, grey and the classic two tone

A black varsity jacket with black leather sleeves is the quiet version and the easiest to wear as an adult. Grey body with black sleeves is the classic collegiate combination. Cream or off white sleeves against a dark body is the loudest and the one that photographs best. All three are real leather on the sleeve, and the product page says which leather.

Varsity, bomber or baseball jacket?

A varsity bomber jacket is a varsity cut a little shorter and boxier through the body. A baseball jacket usually means the same shape without the leather sleeves. If you want the ribbed collar and hem in full leather rather than wool, the leather bomber jackets page is the one you want.

How a varsity jacket should fit

Roomier than a leather jacket, because the wool body has no give and you will wear a jumper under it. The shoulder seam should sit on the corner of your shoulder and the ribbed hem should land on your hip. Sleeves finish at the wrist bone with the rib taking the last inch.

Measure round the fullest part of your chest over a jumper rather than a shirt, then use the table on the product page. Most men take their normal size in a varsity.

Looking after wool and leather together

Two materials, two jobs. The leather sleeves want conditioner twice a year. The wool body wants a clothes brush and a specialist clean rather than a home wash, because wool and leather shrink at different rates and a normal wash will ruin the shape. Wide hanger, away from radiators.

Made to order, and how long it takes

Varsity, letterman or baseball jacket

A men’s varsity letterman jacket and a mens varsity jacket are the same garment. Letterman is the American word, varsity is what gets used here. Varsity jackets for guys turn up as a search often enough to mention, and it means exactly this. A varsity bomber jacket is the shorter, boxier cut of the same thing.

Leave the leather sleeves off and it becomes a baseball jacket. Put a zip on it instead of snaps and you are closer to a bomber.

Cut and stitched in your size after you order, which is why it takes longer than ready made stock. The date on the product page is a real date, UK delivery is free and returns stay open for 14 days. The women’s varsity jackets are cut separately, and the rest of the range is on the men’s leather jackets page.