Letterman jackets, also widely known as varsity jackets, originated in 1865.
The Historic Beginning of the Varsity Jacket
The invention of the iconic letterman or varsity jacket can be traced back to the mid-19th century. Specifically, the tradition began at Harvard University in the year 1865.
According to historical records, the Harvard baseball team was the first group known to initiate this practice. They started sewing large old English “H” patches onto their team uniforms. This act marked the earliest known instance of awarding letters for athletic achievement on a piece of clothing, laying the foundation for the modern letterman jacket we recognize today. This simple act by the Harvard baseball team in 1865 evolved over time into the significant symbol of academic and athletic accomplishment seen on campuses everywhere.
