What varsity jackets are made of (wool, fleece, vinyl and leather sleeves, chenille) and the factors that decide what a letterman jacket costs.
What are varsity jackets made of?
A classic varsity jacket has five parts, each made of a different material:
- Body: Melton wool blend (dense, warm and good for chenille), or polyester fleece and twill on lower-cost jackets
- Sleeves: vinyl (synthetic leather) or genuine leather
- Knit trims: acrylic or wool-blend rib knit, striped in team colors
- Lining: quilted polyester or satin
- Letters: chenille yarn on felt
Letterman jacket fabric choices
Wool blend is the traditional letterman jacket fabric and the best base for chenille. Fleece is lighter and cheaper, which makes it common for youth and budget orders. Twill and satin are used for baseball-style team jackets.
Vinyl vs leather sleeves
| Vinyl sleeves | Leather sleeves | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Lower | Higher |
| Feel | Smooth and uniform | Natural grain that softens |
| Lifespan | Can crack after years of wear | Lasts decades with care |
| Care | Wipe clean | Condition occasionally |
| Typical buyer | Schools and teams on a budget | Award, keepsake and brand jackets |
See both options on the leather-sleeve letterman jacket.
How much does a varsity jacket cost?
There is no single price, because every jacket is a mix of choices. Five factors move the price most:
- Body fabric: wool blend costs more than fleece
- Sleeves: leather costs more than vinyl
- Decoration: every chenille letter, patch and embroidered name adds cost
- Lining and trims: quilted linings and custom stripes add cost
- Order size: more jackets in fewer colors lowers the price per jacket
For a team or wholesale quote, send your design and roster through the quote form.
Why are letterman jackets so expensive?
Three things add up. Wool and leather are both premium raw materials. The stripes on the collar and cuffs are knitted to order in your colors. And chenille letters are stitched on by hand, often with a different name on every jacket, so each one takes far more labor than an ordinary coat.
