Traditions
What goes on a varsity jacket? Letters, patches, bars and pins explained
Every piece on a varsity jacket tells part of the story. Here's the traditional layout and what each decoration means.
The front
The school letter — usually chenille — sits on the left chest, over the heart. The student's name, often in script embroidery, goes on the right chest. Some schools add a small graduation year near a pocket.
The sleeves
Sleeves carry the player's number, graduation year, position and achievement patches: captain, all-conference, state qualifier, service bars for each season lettered.
The back
The back is the billboard: the school name arched across the shoulders, the sport or mascot artwork in the middle, and often the sport or team name below.
Pins and bars
Pins (a small sport icon or a bar for each additional year lettered) traditionally attach to the chenille letter. Many families add them season by season.
Common questions
- Which side does the letter go on a letterman jacket?
- Traditionally the left chest, over the heart, with the name on the right chest.
- What do the bars on a varsity letter mean?
- Each bar usually marks an additional year lettered in that sport; icons or pins mark the sport itself.
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