Varsity Letterman Jackets Sizing Guide: Get the Perfect Team Fit

A great custom varsity jacket lives or dies on the fit. Too tight across the shoulders and it won’t snap closed; too roomy and it swallows the player. Because each jacket is made to order, getting sizing right up front saves everyone a frustrating reorder and keeps the whole team looking sharp in photos. This guide walks you through measuring your entire roster accurately so every jacket fits the way it should the first time around.

Measure the Right Points, Not Just Height

Letterman jackets are cut for room across the chest and shoulders, so guessing from a t-shirt size leads to surprises. Have each player measure a few specific points and write the numbers down. Five minutes of measuring beats weeks of waiting on a replacement, and accurate numbers are the single best defense against a misfit order.

• Chest: measure around the fullest part, keeping the tape level and snug but not tight.
• Shoulder width: from seam to seam straight across the back.
• Sleeve length: from the shoulder seam to the wrist with the arm slightly bent.
• Waist: where the ribbed waistband will sit, usually at the hip.

Account for Layering Room

Varsity jackets are often worn over a hoodie or sweatshirt, especially during cold-weather games. If your players will layer underneath, size up slightly so the jacket snaps comfortably over a custom hoodie. A jacket that fits perfectly over a t-shirt but won’t close over a sweatshirt becomes a spring-only garment, which isn’t what most teams want from an investment piece they expect to wear all year.

Understand the Classic Varsity Cut

The traditional silhouette sits with a structured shoulder, a ribbed knit waistband, and snug knit cuffs. That waistband should hit at the hip, not above it, and the body should have a little room without billowing. Knowing the intended cut helps players avoid choosing a size that fights the design, like sizing way down for a slim look the jacket was never built to deliver. Embracing the classic fit produces the cleanest, most authentic result.

Use a Sizing Sample for the Whole Team

For large rosters, a single try-on session prevents guesswork entirely. Pass one reference jacket around so each player can feel the cut and confirm their size against a real garment before the order is finalized. This is the single most reliable way to avoid reorders on a group purchase, and it gives hesitant players the confidence to commit to a size.

Avoid Common Fit Mistakes

The most frequent errors are ordering by t-shirt size alone and forgetting growth room for younger athletes. When in doubt for a growing player, size up one notch so the jacket lasts more than a single season. For adults between sizes who want an athletic, layering-friendly fit, the larger size is almost always the safer call and rarely leads to regret.

Finally, keep a copy of every player’s measurements on file even after the order ships. If you add a teammate next season or need a replacement, having those numbers ready saves you from repeating the whole sizing process. A short, well-organized record turns next year’s order into a quick follow-up rather than a fresh start, and it keeps every new jacket consistent with the original batch.

FAQ

What if a player is between sizes? For an athletic, layering-friendly fit, choose the larger size rather than the smaller one.

Are youth and adult sizes both available? Yes, so mixed-age teams can all match in the same design.

Should I size up for a growing player? Yes, one size up gives a young athlete room to grow into the jacket.

Lock in the right fit for everyone. Start sizing your roster at the custom varsity letterman jacket collection.