Hello friends, did you know that the varsity jacket is a retro style that is making a comeback in 2023? This varsity jacket model is quite popular among teenagers because of its stylish design.
So, what makes this jacket so popular? Let’s see our review until the end!
The Return of the Varsity Jacket Trend
According to Ozza Konveksi, varsity jackets have been popular since the 60s when they were originally worn by teenagers in schools and universities. The popularity of varsity jackets began to rise when they were worn by celebrities and influencers.
You can wear this jacket with a variety of top and bottom combinations depending on the situation and occasion. varsity jackets can give a neat touch of style to a casual outfit, or even give a streetwear-inspired look.
Varsity jackets are also great for layering and can be paired with a wide variety of clothing items, such as jeans, trousers, skirts, and dresses.
Another reason why varsity jackets are so popular is that this retro style can evoke nostalgic memories of college athletes in the United States with memories of their own college days.
Read Also: 13 Cool Local Varsity Jacket Recommendations
Vintage Style Celebrity-Inspired Varsity Jackets
Pengaruh selebriti memang tidak dapat dipungkiri memainkan peran penting dalam mempopulerkan penggunaan varsity. Berikut ini adalah beberapa selebriti dengan gaya vintagenya yang khas saat memakai jaket varsity.
Michael Jackson
Most of us have seen the video of Michael Jackson’s famous “Thriller” single. Throughout the horror video, Michael Jackson is seen wearing a red and yellow varsity jacket with the initials “M” embroidered on the left chest.
The varsity jacket worn by Michael Jackson is quite iconic with its distinctive vintage style. The interesting fact is that in 2011, the jacket was sold through an auction event for 1.8 million US dollars.
Princess Diana
Some of you may never have guessed that Princess Diana also popularized the varsity jacket. Princess Diana was seen wearing this jacket twice in 1991 and 1995 and there’s a great story behind it.
In 1982, Princess Diana attended the funeral of Princess Grace of Monaco. There she met a man named Jack Edelstein, a statistician for the Philadelphia Eagles.
At that time, Princess Diana and Edelstein talked a lot about American Football. As a memento, Edelstein gave her a green and silver Eagles Varsity Jacket and gifted it to Princess Diana.
Virgil Abloh
Long before it became the hype that it is today, the late Virgil Abloh had already made the eye-catching varsity bomber his trademark. His fall/winter show for the Off-white brand was shown posthumously at Paris Fashion Week.
The collection was inspired by collegiate style symbolized by the red and beige varsity jacket, a 68 look worn with a voluminous ombre pleated skirt, corset, and sneakers, while models carried skateboards as they walked. A poppy blue version was also shown, styled with a fur mantel and trousers.
Abloh also explored collegiate references during his tenure at Louis Vuitton. The varsity jacket styles from previous LV collections have impressive resale prices on sites like Grailed and Stock X: the green racing jacket from fall/winter 2021 is available for over £8,000, while the blue “Wizard of Oz” style is selling for £11,000 or more!
Run D.M.C & N.W.A
The influx of varsity jackets into popular culture and sports brought them to the fashion scene in the late 80s and early 90s. From its Ivy League origins, it landed on the backs of hip-hop groups like Run-D.M.C. and N.W.A, signaling that it now belonged to the streets. By then, it was clear that anyone could wear a university jacket, regardless of school affiliation or athletic prowess.
Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift’s spring varsity style would be perfect for a sunny day. The simple navy mustard print jacket complements each other and is quite eye-catching. Taylor Swift completed her look with shorts in a similar color. Not forgetting flat shoes, a white T-shirt and simple Ray-Ban glasses.
Hailey Baldwin
If you’re looking for a varsity look for spring or summer, check out this style by model Hailey Baldwin. A simple dark green jacket with white stripes as the main piece, paired with a simple white t-shirt, denim shorts, and brown shoes will keep you looking cool come summer.
2023: The Return of the Varsity Jacket as a Fashion Trend
The style that originated with Harvard University baseball athletes in the 19th century isn’t a trend that came out of nowhere. Many of the world’s streetwear brands have been designing varsity jackets for decades.
And recently some luxury brands have also started to take an interest in making varsity jackets. Factor in Gen Z’s fondness for the “preppy academic” aesthetic, and the growing interest in baggy bombers, and the varsity jacket is a perfect fit for the “it girl” wardrobe.
Although timeless, letterman tops undeniably have an irreplaceable appeal. “We’ve seen the rise of preppy-influenced styles over the past few years, and the varsity jacket is the latest iteration of this trend,” says Arielle Siboni, fashion director at Bloomingdales. “Until recently, these jackets were largely adopted by Gen Z, but recently, we’ve seen the trend grow in popularity among a wider age and clientele.”
Siboni argues that the huge popularity of this style can be credited, at least in part, to its incredible versatility. In this new era of dressing, when almost anything can be worn, the letterman jacket can look as feminine as a fur coat or as edgy as a leather trench coat – it all depends on how you mix and match it with the rest of your outfit.
Plus, it pairs well with wide-leg jeans for a relaxed and cool look, which is perfect for the minimalist cycle we’re currently living in.
No matter how you wear it, the varsity jacket is a worthy investment for your outerwear collection – one that will definitely see you through the seasons to come.
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