The letterman jacket is no longer worn only by high school athletes, as college students and fashion models have also been spotted wearing the trend.

Ashley Reiner, a fashion writer from Houston, TX, has documented the trend of varsity letterman jackets in her March article for the Examiner, a citizen journalism Web site that allows writers to share knowledge about the cities they live in.

“The sporty trend in fashion is loved by so many because it is comfortable. The shapes are loose and can be worn by any body type,” Reiner said. “[Letterman jackets are] so versatile and can go from day to night.”

A new letterman jacket can cost between $59.99 to $300 or more, depending on the style of the jacket and the embellishments added.

Reiner offered advice for following this trend and purchasing letterman jackets for less.

“The best way to go is vintage,” Reiner said. “It’s both economical and authentic, rather than spending a lot of money on some replica. Any local thrift store would have them for really cheap, or you could always shop online at my personal favorite, eBay.”

The best deals to find your own varsity letterman jacket were found in two vintage stores in Austin, Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds and Hog Wild, as well as online.

Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds

1506 S. Congress Ave.

(512) 444-2002

Vintage clothing and costume store, Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds, has letterman jackets for rent and for sale.

“We have over a dozen varsity jackets for rent for about $20 and for a sale price of $45.99,” Assistant Manager Fernie Renteria said. “The jackets vary in where they come from, as people will just drop items off.”

Renteria said the store purchases the majority of their items from over 100 suppliers around the world, however the jackets are mostly donated.

“It is a very involved process,” Renteria said. “We take much pride in our systems and product.”

Hog Wild

100 North Loop Blvd.

(512) 467-9453

The vintage clothing and furniture store Hog Wild offers a larger selection of letterman jackets than Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds.

Owner John Dorn has followed the trend for years.

“For many, it is a trend that goes in and out,” Dorn said. “There have been periods where I have sold tons of letterman jackets and then years with only one being purchased.”

The letterman jackets sold by Hog Wild were purchased from all over the U.S., rather than donated, like Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds.

Dorn also has specific criteria for the jackets he purchases.

“I look for real leather arms and prefer them over the vinyl style,” Dorn said. “I also look at the colors and the change stitching. Also what is on it is important; some are more embellished and have funny names or hip schools.”

Some of the jackets Dorn finds are from Austin high schools.

“The jackets from Austin schools go faster than the jackets from other places,” Dorn said.

Dorn prices the letterman jackets sold in his store depending on the criteria he uses when he originally buys the jackets.

“Jackets are priced between $35 to $150 depending on how [they are] made and how old [they are],” Dorn said. “One from the ‘70s isn’t going to be as expensive as one from the ‘40s or ‘50s. One made with vinyl sleeves isn’t going to be as much as one made with real leather.”

Online

After looking at local vintage stores, Reiner suggests shopping online. One of the Web sites she suggests, Jacketshop.com, offers three styles of the letterman jacket: the classic, the hoodie and the retro.

Jackets can be personalized with lettering, but jackets without lettering range from $149 to $179 before tax and shipping.

 

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