When it comes to making varsity letter jackets, the ideas litter the internet. While some are good, you want that uniqueness that makes it seem different from anything you’ve seen before. While you can make your fix the letters or buy a varsity jacket, this article can help make the process smoother. It starts by understanding what you are doing.
What is a Varsity Jacket?
In the 1880s, you might have seen a symbol on the flannel shirts of Havard students. If you were a good athlete in school, you would be allowed to keep the shirt. It was a sign that you were a part of important games and your role is recognized. A trend was born in those years, signifying excellence for those who have the shirt with the symbol.
A varsity jacket, or the letterman jacket, as it was called in those years, is usually presented or given by a college or high school with a letter on it as a symbol of admirable achievement. Some schools only present the letter while the awardees buy the jacket and fix the letters themselves. The jackets are available in many designs and options with choices for women.
In many schools, the locations of the letter or batches are decided by the school. But others allow their awardees to exercise their sense of fashion. (Nowadays there are many options and you can get a varsity letter jacket online or in a shop near you.) Talking about this brings us to the first question people ask often.
Where on my Jacket Should I Put the Letter?
First, you should know that it isn’t only the letter that comes from school. There are many things like the letter, the school’s scholar patches, your Jersey number in the particular sport you play and at times, they may include your school name or your name.
- Place the jacket properly prior to fixing it tight.
- The letter stays on the left side of your chest under the clavicle.
- Place the number over your left arm just below your shoulder.
- If there are any words or names, they stay on the back, at the center and they should move from one side to the other.
That’s how you place your letter and whatever comes with it in an accurate way. At the end of fixing them, you should stand back and view what you have done to see if it is a nice job.
How Do You Clean The Patches?
To clean the patches you will need:
- Clean water
- A bowl
- Mild soap
- A soft cloth
- Alcohol
For some patches on a varsity letter jacket, washing will soil the patches completely. So you have to read the instructions about caring for the patches. But if there are none, dabbing the patches is safer than completely washing it in water.
Mild soap in some water and stir. Dip a clean cloth in the water for a few minutes and wring the clothes out. Dab — don’t rub — on the patches to clean. If there’s a stubborn stain in the jacket, then rub some alcohol on it and let it dry quickly.
Can I Remove the Patches?
That patches are symbols of honor or beauty, so why do you want to remove it? But if you really wish to get them off, you can.
First, check the method used in attaching the patch to the jacket. If it is sewn, you will have to remove the stitches and pull the patches off. If they are glued, then lift it to determine how strong the glue is. Afford some glue remover like WD – 40 and spray it below the patches. Then try to remove it by pulling it off. It is common sense that if you first remove the stitches of a particular patch and the patch is still firm on the jacket, the maker used both glue and stitching to fix the patch in the first place. Remove the stitching first, pry the patches up a bit and then weaken the glue.
How should I wear a varsity jacket?
There is a sense of honor or pride in wearing a varsity letter jacket. There is another kind of honor when you wear a jacket in style. Really, there is no how-to of what is right, but there are a lot of designs and styles which are up to you. You can try a leather or classic style jacket with jeans for a start.