I graduated high school in 1994 and played three varsity sports and didn’t buy a varsity jacket and almost no one in my high school did.

My kids go to a FCPS high school and have earned varsity letters. I don’t think I’ve ever even seen a varsity jacket for their school. But the kids get spirit wear for their teams including kinda expensive rain jackets that they love.

Anonymous wrote:Why do you feel sad for them if it's something they never looked forward to?

+1

The jackets are not trendy and mostly stay in the closets. Tastes change, not to mention, so many kids do sports through private clubs rather than school.

https://community-sitcom.fandom.com/wiki/Troy%27s_letterman_jacket

“ You were on top of the world before and now no one gives a rat's a**. I can help you with your image. First lose the jacket, you look like a high school b*****.”
PIERCE, "INTRODUCTION TO FILM".

I graduated HS in 2006 in northern CA and these were not a thing. It may be regional because, growing up, I always associated these jackets with teen drama shows and wasn’t aware there were areas where these were popular amongst actual HS students.

I had a letterman's jacket in high school (class of '84), which I wore frequently, but the letter I earned remained pinned to the bulletin board in my room. For some reason, we didn't sew them on.

I still have my jacket and love it--it is so warm. But i only wear it to walk the dog sometimes. Mine is not in the classic bomber style--for some reason I and many of the girls in my high school went with jackets that were more like wool barn coats-- the sleeves are wool, not leather, it has a wool shirt collar, not ribbed, and it falls to the tops of my thighs, with no ribbing at the waist. High school name in a half circle on one breast, my name embroidered on one sleeve. Rich purple. Gorgeous. 🙂

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live in Pennsylvania and no one buys letter jackets here either. Also, nobody buys a class ring. Class rings seem to be a southern thing.

They went out of style in the 50s.
I don’t know what varsity letters are, but I’m not sure I’d want to tell the world I played football or did cheer.

These were a big deal in my high school in a southern state and still are. It’s a big football state for sure but not just football players or cheerleaders had them. The dance teams, drill teams, every sports team (boys and girls for ever season) and even band members had them. And social media of my friends who are still there show this is still a big part of the culture.

I don’t “miss it” for my kids because they did t know this cultural norm at all, but I do think it’s amusing that the kids in our NoVa public school still earn a letter! It’s funny to me that they just have these letters that are meant to go on a jacket or sweater or blanket, but instead it’s just pinned to a bulletin board on their wall. They didn’t even know what they were supposed to be until I showed them photos of this custom that is practiced elsewhere in other states!

I never wore mine. It was ugly.

Anonymous wrote:This sounds like a nostalgia post by someone who peaked in high school.

I agree. They’re not a thing anymore. OP needs to get over it.

Graduated in the 90s and letter jackets and rings were fading in popularity fast. Mostly the boy jocks wore jackets. Those who lettered in other things didn't bother. By the time my sisters graduated a few years later, almost no one got jackets or rings.

They were unnecessarily expensive even back then and who was going to wear them beyond high school? It's fine that they are gone.

DS lettered in two varsity sports as a freshman and insisted that we buy a letterman jacket. He’s never worn it once. It’s an expensive souvenir.

they have gotten too expensive and kids have so many other things now. they aren't as special. I think they both just depend on the school.

Anonymous wrote:Too many movies have come out portraying jocks and associated things like letterjackets as dumb and jerks

Because they are.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Celebrating brawn over brain, OP?

I'll let you do that all by yourself in the corner while the rest of us move on.

I'm sure you can go apply for your Mathlete letter.

I got a GPA-based academic letter with a genie-looking lamp on it in 1984. Hell yeah I bought the jacket (solid, no vinyl sleeves). I threw it out about 10 years ago because I'm a short woman and I had only sons. But I miss having it. It's the only spiritwear I ever really enjoyed.

I was in HS in the 90s and nobody wore letter jackets then. We got class rings but they were admittedly hideous and I didn't wear it after graduation.

Anonymous wrote:Too many movies have come out portraying jocks and associated things like letterjackets as dumb and jerks

It wasn't just the movies. That was real life in my school in the 90s! I think those jackets are hideous and portray poor judgement.