Last January, we told you that one of the signature accessory of Michael Jackson’s wardrobe was coming back in fashion: the Loafers. Today, it seems that another one is also doing a come back in the fashion world: The Letterman Jacket.
Michael wore the famous jacket since the release of “Thriller” short film where he was playing a college boy on a date. Since, he wore it on Tour, in official visits and casual apparel.
Not to mention that the King of Pop also released few branded Letterman jackets for his fans or crew on his tours.
The letterman, also known as the varsity jacket, has its roots in American college baseball. Originating from the Harvard baseball team in 1865, the idea of sewing the first letter of the school onto a uniform would soon bleed over to the Harvard football team. Although this was more of a team uniform, these origins set the trajectory for what we now know as the letterman jacket.
The popularity of this “letterman” jacket eventually spread across the country and the jacket that we know today took its form in 1930. The wool jacket with leather sleeves and chenille lettering also gained popularity through pop culture.
Although celebrities may not have earned their letterman through athletic achievements, they not only helped promote it to the youth, but they kept the jacket relevant for almost a century. Some icons known to have worn letterman jackets throughout the years include James Dean, Michael Jackson and A$AP Rocky.
It is safe to say that the letterman may be one of the most easily recognizable jackets among most, if not all sports. Athletes today will earn their letter after achieving a specific accomplishment. In high school, athletes earned their letters for going to state competitions in their sport or completing a certain number of years on their high school varsity team.
After the 90s, the jacket was less popular in the fashion world and clothing stores to the point it pretty much stayed in the sport world in America only.
In the last few years, the jacket is having a re-birth and you can find various models through the big brand stores. Even the Michael Jackson Estate released few of them for MJ ONE show in Las Vegas or the latest Varsity Jacket to promote “Thriller 40”.
So let’s get those jackets out now!
