Quick answer: A classic varsity (letterman) jacket has a wool body, leather or faux-leather sleeves, rib-knit trims, snap buttons and chenille patches. Choose the body and sleeve materials first, then patches and lining, and allow about 5–7 weeks from design to delivery.
Varsity jackets are worn by high school and college teams in the USA and have become a streetwear staple worldwide. This guide covers materials, patch options, construction and ordering, whether you are a school, a club or a fashion brand.
Quick answer
For the traditional look, choose a melton wool-blend body with cowhide leather sleeves. For a lower price or vegan option, choose PU faux-leather sleeves. Add chenille patches for the classic textured letters, embroidered patches for fine detail, and a quilted lining for warmth. Start with 30 pieces per design.
Need these made? Ravix Pro Industry in Daska, Sialkot is a sportswear manufacturer for sports clubs and clothing brands in the USA, UK, Europe, Canada and Australia. Custom, OEM and private label production since 2008, with in-house sublimation, printing and embroidery, an MOQ of 30 pieces per design, samples in 7–10 days and bulk in 2–4 weeks. WRAP, BSCI, OEKO-TEX and ISO 9001 certified.
Part of our guide: Custom Sportswear Products · Quick answers
Body and sleeve materials
| Option | Look and feel | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Wool body + cowhide leather sleeves | Classic, heavy, premium | Schools, premium streetwear |
| Wool body + PU faux-leather sleeves | Classic look, lighter, lower cost, vegan | Most brands and teams |
| All-wool jacket | Softer, cosy | Fashion and lifestyle drops |
| Satin or cotton twill body | Lighter, baseball-jacket style | Spring and summer collections |
| Fleece body | Casual, budget-friendly | Merch and events |
Chenille vs embroidered patches
| Patch type | What it looks like | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Chenille | Raised, fluffy, towel-like texture | Big letters, numbers, school initials |
| Chenille with embroidered border | Textured centre, sharp edges | Logos and mascots |
| Flat embroidery | Fine detail, flat stitching | Small logos, text, sleeve details |
| Woven or PVC patches | Very fine detail or rubbery 3D | Modern streetwear graphics |
Read more in our custom patches guide.
Construction details
- Rib-knit collar, cuffs and hem with stripes in your colours
- Snap buttons, metal or matching colour
- Pockets: welt pockets with leather trim
- Lining: quilted for warmth, or satin for a smooth premium feel; inside printed labels and custom woven labels
Sizing
Varsity jackets usually come in a regular or slightly boxy fit; streetwear brands often prefer an oversized fit with dropped shoulders. Typical sizes are XS–4XL, with youth sizes for schools. See our size chart guide.
MOQ and timing
Ravix Pro’s MOQ is 30 pieces per design with mixed sizes. Varsity jackets take a little longer than tees because of patches and leatherwork: sample in about 10–14 days, bulk in 3–4 weeks and air delivery in about 3–7 days to the USA, UK and Europe. For back-to-school or winter launches, send designs 2–3 months ahead.
From our factory floor in Sialkot
At Ravix Pro Industry we have manufactured sportswear since 2008 and now run more than 100 stitching and finishing machines with 150+ workers, producing 20,000+ pieces a month for over 500 brands and clubs in 50+ countries. Every order follows the same 11 steps: quote, design, approval, sample, cutting, decoration, stitching, thread trimming, quality check, packing and door-to-door shipping. Sublimation, screen printing, DTF and embroidery happen in-house, so we control colour, print quality and timing ourselves. See our manufacturing process and quality checks.
Ready to start? Request a free quote for custom varsity jackets or message us on WhatsApp with your design, quantity and sizes. MOQ from 30 pieces per design. We reply within 24 hours.
FAQs
What are varsity jackets made of?
Traditionally a wool-blend body with leather sleeves, rib-knit trims and snap buttons. Many brands use PU faux-leather sleeves for lower cost and a vegan option.
What is the difference between a varsity jacket and a letterman jacket?
They are the same style. “Letterman” comes from the large letter patch awarded to school athletes.
What are chenille patches?
Patches made with a looped, raised yarn that gives the classic fluffy texture on varsity letters.
What is the MOQ for custom varsity jackets?
30 pieces per design at Ravix Pro, with mixed sizes.
How long does a varsity jacket order take?
About 5–7 weeks: sample in 10–14 days, bulk in 3–4 weeks, then shipping.
