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Introduction

Patches for a letterman jacket represent success, fashion and tradition. Patches make these jackets iconic, these are used by high school athletes as well as colleges. Custom letterman patches can now be customized with more than just the traditional varsity letters and combine the traditions with new trends.

1. Patches for a letterman jacket

a) What are custom letterman patches?

Custom letterman patches are custom embroidered or chenille patches that are applied onto letterman jackets, which are popular amongst high school and college students, who wish to use them to indicate their accomplishments in academics, sports, clubs, or amongst other extracurricular activities. Custom letterman patches are created to represent personal achievements and they commonly have initials of school or name, mascots, team logos, graduating year or other symbols. 
They are typically oversized, strong in design and are placed either on the chest of the jacket, sleeves or on the back. They function as both a symbol of pride and to provide a personalized touch to the jacket so the wearers can represent themselves and their achievements.

b) What size is a varsity letter patch?

A varsity letter patch is designed in a bold chenille style and its sizes vary between 4 to 8 inches or most commonly around 6 inches to represent the main letter featured on the chest of a letterman jacket. Smaller patches are generally 2 to 4 inches while larger custom back patches may be 8 or more inches. This is based on the design and the size of the letterman jacket. The patch location also determines its size. The end result is to represent it as a symbol of accomplishment.

c) What does a chevron patch mean on a letterman jacket?

Chevron patches for a letterman jacket are commonly a symbol of the number of years of experience, participation or success in a given sport, activity or organization. The chevron is typically placed on the jacket sleeve and signifies one year of dedication, such as one chevron representing freshman, two chevron representing sophomore and so on. Chevrons are also given on an annual basis, to students who have committed to participating and achieve the expected performance or participation criteria established by the club or team they are participating with. They act as a visual record of how a student has been devoted, consistent and successful in his career in high school or college life.

Types Of  letterman jacket Patches

a) b letterman patch 

A B letterman patch is a chenille varsity letter patch given to students, they represent the first letter of the name of their school or their school mascot. The students of a school with the name starting with a "B" would usually be awarded with a B letterman patch. It typically is a large chenille B in the school colors, which is stitched on the left side of the letterman jacket.
The patch is customizable with school colors and more to remind the student of their accomplishments. They represent achievement, and are given out as a result of success in schoolwork, sports or extracurricular activities and are the key feature of any letterman jacket.

b) d letterman patch

A D letterman patch is a chenille varsity letter patch given to students, they represent the first letter of the name of their school or their school mascot. It works in a similar manner to a b letterman patch but represents schools or mascots whose names begin with the letter D 
The patch just like the B letterman patch is also customizable with school colors, outlines, embroidery, and activity icons (such as footballs, music notes, or stars) to remind the student of their accomplishments. They represent achievement, and are given out as a result of success in schoolwork, sports or extracurricular activities and are the key feature of any letterman jacket.

c) Patches for high school letterman jackets 

Patches for high school letterman jackets can be viewed as a tool with which students can show their achievements, school spirit, and individuality. Most usually are the varsity letter patch (the large chenille letter representing the school), sport or activity patches (footballs, basketballs, theater masks, musical notes), chevron patches that denote years of taking part in a sport or activity. Students are also able to include name patches, mascot patches or award patches to their jackets to personalize and to showcase individual achievements like MVP, or Honor Roll. Such patches do not only decorate the jacket but they also act as a permanent mark of the commitment of a student in high school.

d) year patches for letterman jackets

Year patches for letterman jackets represent the specific year of graduation of a student. These patches are usually written on the right sleeve of the jacket; they are usually given in two digits (e.g., 25 to represent the class of 2025). Year patches are mostly decorated in the color of the school logos. They serve as a reminder of the year a student received a varsity letter, and are a source of pride to their graduating class.

e) Men letterman jacket patches 

Men letterman jacket patches are known to be bold, large and used to showcase sporting success and team spirit. The patches used are the chenille varsity letter on the left chest, sport patches (football, basketball, or baseball bat), chevron on the sleeves indicating years of participation and number of years of graduation patches on the right sleeve. A lot of men will also place championship or award patches, either on the back or a sleeve, to display an achievement. These patches are usually block styled and are often in school colors focusing on sporting performance.

f) women letterman jacket patches

The women letterman jacket patches are the same as men letterman jackets in many ways but these usually have more varieties and can be more customized. In addition to the varsity letter patches, activity patches like cheerleading megaphones, pom-poms or dance symbols, theatre masks or music notes are common patches on women jackets. A few schools go so far as to provide script style or lighter design variants of women chenille letters so that they appear slightly different to the heavy block-fonts on the jackets of male students.

3. Custom letterman jacket patches vs regular 

a) Jacket letter patches

Custom letterman jacket patches are uniquely created jacket letter patches where the patch can be fully customized in the aspects of size, shape, color, font, and image. They are commonly worn to showcase exclusive accomplishments, individual personality or activities which regular school issued patches might not cover. The students can craft a personalized patch of chenille with their initials, a mascot in a modern design, or any symbol of a club or interest other than sports. 

b) Regular 

Regular patches that are given by schools and are earned through specific accomplishments. They consist of varsity letter, graduation year, chevrons for years of participation, and sports logos (such as footballs, basketballs, or notes of music). New updates are typically done in accordance to the school and their design patterns, fonts, styles and colors so that all jackets are alike.

Where do patches go on letterman jacket?

a) Where to put patches on a letterman's jacket

The patches on a letterman jacket are placed in definite spots to show success, school spirit, achievements and individuality. The most popular places to be placed are:

• Left Chest: The big varsity patch of lettering (chenille embroidered) is normally positioned on the left chest as the main highlight of the jacket.
• Right Chest: This frequently has the name of the student, a team log or other small custom patch.
• Sleeves: Here, chevron patches (to indicate number of years of participating), graduation year or position/sport icons are usually added.
• Back: these patches are large, on the back of the letterman jacket school mascots or team names can be displayed and they provide a bold and outstanding appearance.
• Pocket or Above Waistline: There are students who prefer to use smaller patches, activity symbols or initials on their pockets to make it a bit personalized.
  

Placement of patches for a letterman jacket depends on where the school wants it the most famous locations are the left chest varsity letter and sleeve chevrons.

b) How to put patches on letterman jacket?

How do I put patches on my letterman jacket?

Patches for a letterman jacket can be placed using various methods, these methods are:
1) Iron-On Method

• Best for: it is best for patches that have a heat adhesive backing.

Steps:

• Preheat the iron to medium high (do not steam) or you can also use heat press.
• Put the patch on the jacket where you want the design to be at.
• You should cover the patch with a thin piece of fabric so that the patch is not burned by heat.
• Press iron hard for 20-30 seconds.
• Let cool, then check edges. If it is not stick properly repeat.

Tip: It works on the wool side of the letterman jacket better than any as the leather side might get burned if over heat is applied.

2) Sewing Method (Most Durable)

• Best for: Patches of all types.

Steps:

• Pin the patch in place.
• Use needle and a strong thread.
• Sew along the patch border.
• Firmly attach the patch.

TIP: This is the safest and most permanent method of attaching patches to areas made of both wool and leather.

3) Velcro Method (Removable)

Best for: The patches that you want use on a temporary basis or patch you want to swap.
Steps:

• attach loop side to the jacket.
• Stick the other side to the patch.
• Press firmly to secure.

Tip: good with temporary patches.

4) Professional Tailor or School Supplier

• Most schools suggest that patches should be sewed on by a professional tailor or the supplier of the jacket, as they possess industrial equipment to work with large chenille patches and tough wool/leather fabrics.
  

How to get patches for your letterman jacket

a) Buying tips to get patches for a letterman jacket

You can find patches for your letterman jacket from a variety of good shops, depending on whether you are in need of official school patches or something to have put on it yourself.

• Through Your School or Team: most high schools and colleges offer varsity letter patches, chevrons and year patches to the students who achieve them. These official patches are typically offered as awards by coaches, athletic directors or club advisors.
• Jacket Suppliers: Companies dealing in lettermen jackets will typically include the standard patches which will be of the school colors and styles. Most of them even enable you to order extra patches such as graduation year numbers or activity symbols when you buy your jacket.
• Custom Patch Makers: You are able to buy it online and personalize them. Through these services you are allowed to select colors, fonts, chenille or embroidery, and even upload your own design. Famous suppliers are GS-JJ, Patches4Less, ThePatchio, and CustomPatches.net.
• Local Tailors and Embroidery Shops: A few tailors or embroidery stores locally in the town can make patches, or stitch a patch on the letterman jacket, these are perfect if you want to customize using own ideas and need a fast turnaround time. 
  

b) How much does it cost to sew a patch on a letterman jacket?

In most alteration shops, the price to sew a patch on a letterman jacket is normally between $5 and $25 per patch (https://stitchescolusa.com/pages/patches) these depend on the size and location of the patch. The costs to sew small patches are around $3 to $7 (https://carrolloriginalwear.com/pages/customization-costs) and sewing larger chenille varsity letters or back patches cost between $10 to $25 as they take more time and effort. Patch stitching on the sleeves of leather is generally costlier than patch stitching on the wool figure of the jacket due to the extra bulk. (https://sewingbypenny.com/our-prices/prices)

c) Latest/Trends designs for letterman jacket

The most recent fashion in letterman jacket design is the combination of traditional and street wear along with customization. There is an increasing use of satin and eco-friendly fabrics to replace or combine with the standard wool and leather ones. Jackets are being made look bold using statement back patches with mascots, quotes and custom artwork. Oversized and cropped silhouettes including longline cuts are also trending among fashion conscious men and women who are increasingly using them in their street style. Under the influence of street culture, much of the new designs will use graffiti-style lettering, vintage sports themes or the blending of sportswear with casual wear, turning the 2025 version of the varsity jacket into a versatile fashion product that serves the dual purpose of showing pride in the school and being stylish. 
Some of the latest trendy styles include:

• Oversized jackets: these are loose and have dropped shoulders. They are famous amongst teens and college, university students.
• Cropped variations: these are of shorter length then usual and are around waist length.
• Bold color blocking: these consist of color combinations of patch that makes your jacket look appealing.
• Leather sleeved: these have a wool body alongside faux or leather sleeves.
• Monochrome minimalism: these have minimal patches and the jackets are in a single color which means that they body and sleeves match or have tonal shades.
  

CONCLUSION

Patches for a letterman jacket are not just pieces of fabric that are used as a decoration, but they carry history, fame and style. They are customizable yet traditional, starting with custom letterman patches, including year patches to go on letterman jackets. You can add any types of letterman patches to your jackets to customize your jackets.

FAQ’S

Q1: How do I put patches on letterman jacket?

A1: You can put patches on your jackets by sewing them on, ironing them on or using Velcro depending on what backing your patches have.

Q2: How much does it cost to sew a patch on letterman jacket?

A2: Sewing that is done professionally costs around $5 to $15 depending on patch size, and fabric it is supposed to be sewed on.

Q3: What the size of varsity letter patch?

A3: They are between 4 and 8 inches.

Q4: What does a chevron patch mean on a letterman jacket?

A4: Chevron patches mostly represent years of participation in anything or achievements.

Patches for a Letterman Jacket Cost and Placement Guide

Get to know about patches on a letterman jacket, their prices, location, custom work, year letter patches, chevrons, and trends in male and female varsity jackets.