Yes, Varsity Jackets Are Still Cool
Yes, varsity jackets are still cool. And no, we aren’t talking about the ones from your high school glory days. We’ve compiled a list of the most stylish varsity jackets with tiers for different price ranges. Even though the warmer weather may prevent you from rocking these jackets all the time, they’re still a great addition for those cool summer nights.
Note: Although these were all pulled from the men’s section, these looks – for the most part – are unisex. So guys and gals alike can enjoy these styles.
Affordable Varsity Jackets
Forever 21’s Reason Varsity Jacket
The Reason Varsity Jacket has a bomber aesthetic, ready for streetlights and dive bars. Iconic varsity striping on the cuffs and bottom hem makes any outfit pop. Front slant pockets keep your hands warm while communicating the perfect amount of “I don’t care.” Pair it with a dad hat and people will swear that you’re a B-list celebrity they’ve never heard of.
Forever 21’s Colorblock Varsity Jacket
A woven varsity jacket with more color, the Colorblock Varsity Jacket features effortless red accents that make your outfit look like the detailing of a racing car. Varsity stripes, quilted lining, and front slanted pockets complete the “American Friday night lights” vibe.
Urban Outfitter’s BDG Meadowland Denim Track Jacket
A fine line separates the varsity jacket and track jacket, and the BDG Meadowland Denim Track Jacket has varsity vibes all the way. The cut of the collar, the tapered sleeves, the elastic bottom, and the double-handwarmer pockets are all varsity trademarks. Pure denim, and a flashy white stripe. The light wash denim makes it a perfect jacket for daily wear, opening any color combination and naturally complimenting every dad hat collecting dust in your closet.
The full-length front zip makes it easy to style, and the chevron pattern accents your white shoes. Pair with white high top converse and shorts, and it becomes the summer outfit you’ve always wanted and never had.
Urban Outfitter’s Champion UO Exclusive Rally Jacket
The varsity jacket is known for a darker chest and light sleeves. Champion’s Rally Jacket disregards this premise and offers a varsity cut with an all-white jacket. With the modern champion logo on the sleeve, a retro champion logo on the breast, the rally jacket asks “what if the varsity jacket bought brunch?” Perfect for men’s athleisure wear or a new take on the varsity jacket.
Features a zipper on the front, button cuffs on the sleeves, and a collar with button closure.
Middle Priced Varsity Jackets
Zara’s Contrasting Bomber Jacket
Zara’s Contrasting Bomber Jacket has all the poker-tells of a varsity jacket. A two-tone pattern of navy and faux suede takes you back to high-school days by the bleachers and nights in the parking lot. Somehow, the Zara Contrasting Bomber is the most nostalgic jacket on this list. It’ll make you miss your pick-up truck and Levi’s that were two sizes too big.
Round neck, long sleeves, hip pockets, and ribbed elastic trim. Thin varsity stripes at the trim.
Michael Kors Varsity Jacket
While saying “classic varsity jacket” may sound redundant, this Michael Kors jacket known simply as the “Varsity Jacket” is about as classic as they make ‘em. Royal blue and white colorings, double stripes on the cuffs and collar, snap button fastenings. The 100% Polyester material crinkles in the wind as you reach for another drive-in french fry.
Nordstrom’s Saturdays NYC Welsh Colorblock Varsity Jacket
My personal favorite jacket on the list, this Welsh Colorblock Varsity Jacket, from Saturday’s and Nordstroms, brings the perfect sun-washed cornflower blue and faded canvas varsity two-tone.
The glory-days never looked this good back in the glory days. Tapered sleeves, hem, and collar bring the pop of navy blue to offset the perfectly washed chest. Canvas pocket details and sleeves ricochet off of silver snap buttons. Not a reinvention of the varsity jacket, simply the perfect varsity jacket.
Michael Kors Printed Varsity Jacket
From Michael Kors, the same people who brought you the most classic varsity jacket on this list comes a varsity jacket remix inspired by recent trends in goofy patterned button-up shirts. The Printed Varsity Jacket vibes like the high school band room or art room, with just enough irony to carry the American cool label.
The pattern of tiny-circles on the chest contrasts perfectly with the block-color sleeves, setting up the varsity jacket two-tone with pattern instead of color.
High Priced Varsity Jackets
Coach’s Navy/Chalk Varsity Jacket
Coach’s Varsity Jacket has the stripes and cut of a classic bomber, with the bold mature colors that make it a regular in your rotation. The vibe sends James Dean meets Friday Night Lights, about as American cool as you can get.
The jacket is made from wool, detailed with smooth leather, closes with snap buttons, and shimmers like fireworks under the 4th of July sky. Coach didn’t reinvent the Varsity Jacket, they just reached way back into your granddaddy’s closet and handed you his old one.
Burberry’s EKD Logo Merino Varsity Jacket
For a luxury remix of the varsity jacket, see Burberry’s EKD Logo Merino. Offered in wool (pictured here) and nylon, this varsity jacket combines the minimalism of a tracksuit with the striping and collar iconic of the varsity blues. Zipper pockets replace the traditional snap buttons. The sleeves provide plenty of arm-room while the tapered bottom hits right at the belt-line. It can be worn zipped an unzipped with ease.
The logo resembles an “Equestrian knight motif,” a callback for that immensely popular mascot of so many schools.
Gucci’s Bomber Jacket With Patches
Don’t be fooled by the name, Gucci’s “Bomber Jacket With Patches” is as varsity-sport as they come. The “A” on front and “La Société Angelique” on the back isn’t a snazzy reference to the Anaheim baseball team, as you’ll undoubtedly first think. It’s a lesser-known and more ironic reference to a group of poets and writers in 16th century France. American vintage sportswear combined with references to obscure French poetry! It’s a beautifully ironic tribute to varsity prep culture.
Striped details on the cuffs, snap buttons, and washed-cotton sleeves will ensure that this jacket is perfect for the tailgate and Saturday morning brunch, French poetry references aside. 100% high-quality wool.
Coach Patchwork Varsity Jacket
If the other luxury varsity jackets have been too classic or too tracksuit, the Patchwork Varsity Jacket just might be the kind of windows-down music-blasting statement piece that you didn’t know you needed.
The Patchwork Varsity Jacket features classic stripe patterns and snap buttons–and then the classic stops there. The blue snowflake pattern stitched into the jacket is meant to recall Prairie patchwork. The truly midwestern vintage American varsity jacket features satin and leather accents. James Dean meets John Wayne: a flamboyant John Wayne.
