By Private Label Leather · Published · 6 min read
What are varsity jackets made of?
A traditional varsity jacket uses five materials: a wool-blend body, leather or vinyl (PU) sleeves, rib-knit collar, cuffs and waistband, a quilted or satin lining, and chenille and felt letters. Lower-cost jackets replace wool with polyester or fleece.
Letterman jacket body fabric
- Melton wool: a dense, felted wool (usually blended with a synthetic) that is warm, wind-resistant and holds chenille well. The traditional choice.
- Fleece and polyester: lighter and lower cost; common for school orders and blanks.
- Cotton twill and satin: used for baseball and team jackets.
- Denim: for denim varsity jackets.
Vinyl vs leather sleeves on a letterman jacket
| Leather sleeves | Vinyl (PU) sleeves | |
|---|---|---|
| Look and feel | Natural grain, softens with wear | Smooth, uniform, slightly stiffer |
| Durability | Lasts many years; ages well | Can crack and peel over time |
| Care | Condition occasionally; specialist cleaning | Wipe clean |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
| Best for | Brands, premium and keepsake jackets | Budget school and team orders |
Cowhide sleeves are firm and hard-wearing; lambskin is softer and more premium. See varsity jackets with leather sleeves.
Trims, lining and hardware
Rib knit (usually acrylic or a wool blend) is knitted in your stripe pattern. Linings range from plain polyester to quilted satin. Snaps can be colour-matched or branded.
How much does a varsity jacket cost?
Prices vary widely because every jacket is a combination of choices. The main cost drivers are:
- Body fabric: wool costs more than polyester or fleece.
- Sleeves: leather costs more than PU; lambskin costs more than cowhide.
- Decoration: each chenille letter, patch and embroidery adds material and labour.
- Lining and trims: quilted linings and custom stripe knits add cost.
- Quantity and colourways: larger runs in fewer colours lower the unit cost.
For a manufacturing quote, see what determines unit price or request a quotation with your design and quantity.
Why are letterman jackets so expensive?
A genuine letterman jacket is made from two expensive materials (wool and leather) that are cut and sewn separately, plus custom-knitted trims and chenille that is produced and applied largely by hand. Each school or team order is also made in relatively small, personalised quantities, which raises the unit cost.