A varsity jacket and a letterman jacket are the same garment. "Letterman jacket" comes from the letter a student earns for making a school team and sews onto the jacket; "varsity jacket" comes from the varsity team itself. Today both names describe a jacket with a wool body, leather (or contrasting) sleeves, ribbed knit collar, cuffs and waistband, and a snap-button front.
Choosing materials? Read wool vs leather varsity jackets. Ready to build one? Follow our step-by-step design guide.
Where the two names come from
American schools and colleges began awarding athletes a letter, usually the school's initial, for making the varsity team, the top team in a sport. Students wore that letter on a sweater and later on a jacket, which is where "letterman" comes from: the jacket shows that the wearer earned a letter.
"Varsity" describes the team rather than the award. As the jackets spread beyond sport into music, clubs and everyday fashion, many people stopped earning a letter for theirs, and "varsity jacket" became the more common name. In the shop and in search, the two terms are used for the same thing.
Is there any real difference?
In everyday use, no. Where people do draw a line, it is usually this:
| Letterman jacket | Varsity jacket | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Shows a letter earned for a school team | Named after the varsity team; used more broadly |
| Typical decoration | Chenille school letter, sport and year patches | Letters, names, logos or no decoration at all |
| Construction | The same: wool body, contrasting sleeves, ribbed trim, snap front | |
Varsity jacket vs bomber vs baseball jacket
- Bomber jacket: descended from flight jackets, usually nylon or leather throughout, with a zip front. It shares the ribbed cuffs and hem but not the two-material body and sleeves.
- Baseball jacket: often used as another name for a varsity jacket, though it is sometimes made in satin or nylon rather than wool and leather.
- Varsity / letterman jacket: the wool body, contrasting sleeves, snap front and ribbed trim are what define it.
Which should you search for or buy?
Either name will find the same jacket. What matters more is what it is made of and how it is personalised:
- For the traditional look, choose a wool body with genuine leather sleeves, like our Classic Letterman jackets.
- For a cleaner, more tailored neckline, try a Collared Varsity jacket.
- To add your own letter, name, number or patches, use Design Your Own, with no minimum order.
- For a team, club or graduating class, order matching jackets with individual names through Design for Your Team.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have to earn a letter to wear a letterman jacket?
No. Schools still award letters, but anyone can wear a varsity or letterman jacket, with or without a letter on it.
What is a chenille letter?
Chenille is a soft, raised, fuzzy yarn. A chenille letter is the classic chest letter on a letterman jacket, usually stitched onto a felt backing.
Are varsity jackets in style in 2026?
Yes. See why in our 2026 varsity jacket trend guide, and get outfit ideas in how to style a varsity jacket.
Wear Your Legacy. Shop varsity and letterman jackets.