The Varsity Jacket: No Longer for High School

Letterman/Varsity Jackets for 2012

Varsity jackets are making a huge reappearance this season. The Varsity Jacket is no longer just the style staple for the high school football team or Zac Effron wannabes as it has now gone mainstream. It's being seen everywhere from high street to runway and it's not going anywhere soon.

This look is cool and quirky for when you want a laid back casual look as it is comfortable yet right on trend. These are sometimes called system, or 3-in-1 jackets. The letterman jacket, known also as the varsity jacket, started with an athletic letter which originated through the start of organized sports and the adoption of an official uniform.

There was a need for identification which was solved by adding a "letter" to the uniform. In 1865, the Harvard baseball team added old English 'H' embroidered on their grey flannel shirts. It's interesting to note that for 25 years following introduction of the letter, it was the practice of the team captain to allow certain players who played in the most important games to keep the 'H' on their jersey as a reward. If a player did not play in an important game, they had to return the jersey at the end of the season. In the 1930's, the letter started to appear on leather sleeved, wool-bodied jackets and thus was born the modern day tradition of varsity letterman jackets.

However, there are different types of varsity jackets that you can go for, there is the typical high school lookalike with sewn on numbers for the original look or for a more versatile look, that you can translate into your work wardrobe, some designers, such as Yves Saint Laurent, have used the same shape but other materials such as leather or one colour for their own take on the trend. Even celebs such as Ciara and Lady Gaga are rocking the varsity look, so it's predicted to skyrocket this season.

Varsity jackets for girls. Leather jackets have gained iconic status. They are generally grey, black or brown in colour. Today, the leather jacket is not only outerwear which provides comfort during winters, it has been connected to various subcultures and even complete lifestyles. One of its best uses is the intimidating appearance it offers to the wearer.

Here are just some of our Varsity/Letterman Jackets form a great selection.....

Men's Navy Letterman Jacket

Women's Red Varsity Jacket

Men's Blue & Beige Freshman Varsity Hooded Jacket By Criminal Damage

Women's Black & Pink Cutie Hoodie By Criminal Damage
Celebrities wearing Varsity/Letterman Jackets..

Puffed and Quilted: A Gentlemans’Jacket

Quilted jackets 2011/12

There's a new fabric on the block this winter: quilting. Lanvin, Louis Vuitton, and Paul Smith all have their own take on quilted outerwear. Get the quilting look and an accessible balance between varying aesthetics for a youthful outing with a rugged urging.

With the heritage trend dominating men’s fashion, quilted jackets have seen something of a resurgence over the last couple of years. Traditionally part of essential country wear, the quilted jacket is fast becoming a winter wardrobe staple. It's back to old countryside style with a quilted puffer jacket, winter revival this year, with the wax jacket the staple of this year’s festivals, the quilted coat  is the next quintessential countryside classic to be the next trend.

They used to be the preserve of outdoor-loving aristocrats and rugged farmers but now the quilted jacket has a host of young celebrities have been wearing the archetypal British waxed jacket usually worn by the Queen. 

And heritage British brands like Barbour, Burberry getting back to their roots it’s the classic designers that are back this season. Go back to classics this winter and dress up in gentleman chic with quilted jackets, tweed, cable knits, big knitted scarfs, leather brogues or tasselled loafers for classic style.

The perfect weekend away jacket: the ultra-light down squashes into the smallest weekend bag and doubles as the perfect cushion for a long journey and is the perfect jacket for mild winter days. Layer over a bright contrasting knit for a statement look. Go back to classics this winter and dress up in gentleman chic with quilted and wax jackets, tweed, cable knits, big knitted scarfs, leather brogues or tasselled loafers for classic style.

Here at Love Clothing we have a great selection of Quilted Jackets

Men's Navy Musket Gilet By Criminal Damage

Men's Brown Quilted Jacket

Men's Green Quilted Jacket
Some Celebrities and their take on the quilted look

It’s all in Black & White...

Black and White 2011/12

Black and white is the most iconic of colour combinations And for A/W 2011/12, black and white is one of many trends that will be making an entrance. This season brought monochrome silhouettes, geographic shapes, perforated fabrics, fine leather, and sheers and lace.

And the black and white trend also brought different styles and lovely ensembles, including tuxedo dressing and polka dots. From men’s striped knitwear to basic blazers, trousers and striped dresses would become the on-trend item to wear.  Designers such as Giles, Burberry, Meadham Kirchhoff, John Rocha and Kinder Aggugini have all been showing looks of graphic black and white mixtures.

The trend seems to translate into all different design sensibilities and is meant to make a statement after all of the colour that we saw for Spring. Some trends are for the moment, and some become instant classics. Black and white, however, is a fashion staple.

 Black and white is often understated and dubbed as minimalistic, yet its simplicity is what gives it elegance. This classic combo will remain in your closet for years to come.

 Black is seductive and luxurious, while white offers a soft clean look. The pre-fall runways proved that the so called ‘minimalistic’ black and white can be transformed into highly detailed and intricate outfits which are sure to be attention-grabbers. Refreshing and seamless styles that are wearable and feminine.

                                       Some our great Black and White Clothes for this Season...

Women's Black & Cream Bodycon Jester Dress By Motel

Men's Retro Black & White 80's Button Down Shirt

Women's Black & Cream Block Dress By Glamorous

Men's Black 60s Cardigan

Celebrities wearing black and white.....