The Varsity Jacket, becoming increasingly popular and versions produced by most designers.

The Varsity Jacket is a versatile style that lends itself to numerous different types of outfits, far from being a jacket one would only wear in school, the strong whiff of americana and nostalgia it lends, makes it suitable for various different outfits, ranging from strictly casual, right through to smart casual, if one accessorieses correctly, and will give an air of youthful exuberance which depending on the wearer may well be undeserved, but most likely welcome.

Many designers have in recent years produced iterations of this style in different versions, and in the last two winter seasons this has culminated in a abundance of variety if one decides to select a varsity or 'baseball' jacket, displayed here is a small selection from designers you would expect with conventional styles, to some you may be surprised at and in styles that challenge the concept of the varsity jacket.

Ralph Lauren Varsity Jacket - £180 - well we all knew Ralph Lauren would be here, preppy style is polo's meat and potatoes. Ralph Lauren keeps it classic and simple with just the horse on the chest and all wool including the arms, zip front rather than classic buttons, but is available with button front also.

Franklin & Marshall Varsity jacket - £299 - Franklin and Marshall is the only brand that has a true association with a actual college, being that there truly is a Franklin and marshall university and the brand was born of an italian copying a sweater he saw in italy 10 years ago.  Since then an agreement has been reached between the college and the brand, and the now produce authentic original franklin marshall branded products, this is the quintessential example of a Varsity jacket, the only thing that might stop someone looking for authenticity from purchasing one of these is the thought that being a commercial brand that is on many high streets in shops like urban outfitters and even house of fraser too many people would have the same garment.

Stussy Varsity jacket - £249.99 - keeping it authentic with the style, but going somewhat off the point with the purpose, this offering from stussy has firmly stayed with authentic leather sleeves, button front, and wool body.  By making the fit loose and using graffiti like street slogans, it shows clearly it is one designed to be worn in an urban environment and with attitude.  BAPE is another brand which offers a similar aesthetic, as well as Pharrels brand Billionaire Boys Club.

Bottega Veneta Varsity Jacket - £2999.99 - Things start moving into the stratosphere now, aside from the style there is pretty much nothing that can link this luxurious offering from Bottega Veneta to Colleges and Universities, and it would be most surprising to find a college student wearing this unless he or she attended an extremely exclusive private school.  Produced from ultrasoft nappa, the body, arms and inner are all leather, with cashmere/nylon arms and collar, not more to say really.

Balenciaga Varsity Style Jacket - £1999.99 - Note the word 'style' from here on out that is the vibe pretty much, the authenticity has been stripped from these designs, and it is merely the influence or hint of Collegiate which defines these as Varsity jackets, in the case of this Balenciaga jacket, the body has been cut slim for an elegant look, which couldnt be further from the aesthetic, the arms are leather with no cuffs, and the front is double breasted, the button front has been maintained, however this is varsity in name only.

Junya Watanabe Varsity style Blazer - £800 - finally we move away completely from a varsity jacket, or even a varsity style, and find ourselves with an item of clothing that has a varsity influence, in this case a blazer that has been affected by college style leanings.  There are various types of garment that have a similar type of style, frankly they dont work very well, the classic style works, the luxe style is good, even the slightly altered ones work in their way, but taking a wool blazer, sticking leather arms on, and giving it a button front, frankly just looks risible, dont be surprised if you have people looking at you if you wear this, just not for the reason you want them to.