History of Varsity Style
Like preppy style, varsity fashion is another American-led trend having a resurgence in 2023. Centred around school athletics programs, varsity style is underpinned by traditional sportswear.
The History of Varsity Fashion
Although associated with US colleges, the idea of a team uniform first appeared in the UK in 1830. Sports teams from Rugby School, in Warwickshire, played in matching wool jumpers and white trousers; it wasn’t until the 1890’s that numbers were displayed on the back of a players shirt.
Harvard was the first US college to introduce the sports kit notion in 1865 giving out jackets to their basketball team. Bearing an oversized “H” this exercise effectively launched US varsity fashion and the Letterman jacket. It was the chosen recipients of these jackets that established the sports team kit as a sign of achievement and excellence. Around the same time, Yale introduced a sweater to their college team also featuring the school’s logo. Other prep schools followed suit and by the 1950s all Ivy League college athletics programs had uniforms.
The Basics of Varsity Style
Fit for purpose, the style is made up of workout wear. Sweaters crafted in heavyweight cotton bore embroidered college names as started at Yale. Fleece-finished track pants and shorts were suitable for pre-game warm-ups and t-shirts were on hand as play warmed up. Considered a sign of status many of the elite players stepped off the pitch and onto campus or to dinner (when at Princeton) in their kit. Demand for varsity jumpers by all students encouraged colleges to make them more widely available. As the reach of the style increased it was adopted by fashion brands.
Like Nautica, all American sportswear brands incorporate varsity-inspired pieces into their collections.
New Team Nautica USA Collection
The Team Nautica USA collection, released in July 2023, is a celebration of varsity. Made up of t-shirts, sweat sets and hoodies it is Nautica’s own team kit. The Team logo was first released by the brand in 1993.
The new collection has taken more than just the logo into the design considerations. The 90s drop shoulder, oversized shapes and wide neck bands are authentic to the original range. Fabric weights are also true to the 90s with 350gsm track pants and jumpers and 210gsm t-shirts. The only adjustment from the ‘93 collection is an update from toweling applique to intricate embroidery on the logo.
How to wear varsity styles
Men's fashion is being guided by “old-money” style. With the re-emergence of quiet luxury, US varsity fashion is set to be a key trend for men's style in 2023. With its rich history in prestigious colleges, its connection to the preppy style, and the support of popular menswear brands, varsity fashion continues to serve on-trend weekend casual style. Varsity fashion pieces are versatile and can be dressed up or down. Adding a collared shirt underneath a hoodie instantly elevates. Pair an oversized, collegiate tee with a pair of chinos or shorts. Or wear as was originally intended on an early morning beach run, the gym or kicking a ball with mates.
Shop Nautica Australia online for the vintage Team Nautica collection and other varsity-suitable styles.