New Yorkers Are Flocking Toward This Easy Staple—27 Varsity Jackets They Want

sierra mayhew wearing varsity jacket

(Image credit: @_sierramayhew)

If you like people-watching as much as I do, allow me to indulge you in my latest fashion sighting while living in NYC. New Yorkers are embracing a vintage classic with open arms—yup, the varsity jacket. These iconic jackets, once reserved for high school athletes, have cycled in and out of my life as a fashion person.

When I was in my first-ever high school musical, Grease, the very cool main characters wore varsity jackets, and so did I. In college, I also had a period of time when all I wanted to wear was a vintage varsity jacket. The bouncer in our college town surprisingly thought I was of age because my jacket had graduation years that were just a bit older than my own. With all of the memories that come along with the idea of wearing a variety jacket, I'm quite excited about its return to the fashion world.

What's driving this sudden surge in varsity-jacket popularity? It's not just about staying warm during the brisk East Coast winters; it's about expressing individuality and a sense of unity with the city. New Yorkers are known for their unique sense of style, and these jackets provide the perfect canvas for personalization. From vintage-inspired designs to modern, sleek silhouettes, there's a varsity jacket for every taste. Make your own memories with one of the options that I've sourced below.

This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

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Sierra Mayhew
Fashion Editor

Sierra Mayhew is a fashion editor at Who What Wear, bringing a decade of industry experience to the editorial team. Since joining in 2021, she has made her mark by blending luxury and accessible fashion, decoding runway trends, and curating must-have shopping lists. Before joining Who What Wear, Sierra sharpened her skills at Harper's Bazaar and Elle, with bylines in Bazaar.com and collaborated with iconic brands such as Gucci and Ferragamo. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Sierra translates editorial expertise into viral social content, making fashion engaging for a new generation. Her unique perspective is rooted in her love for travel, music, and discovering the hidden gems that make New York City a constant source of inspiration.