NOIR BASIC

 A varsity jacket is a well-known tradition in most American colleges and high schools. Historically, the Harvard baseball team added an “H” on its shirts in 1865. During the decades following the introduction of the letter, the team captain allowed certain players who played the most important games to keep the “H” jerseys as an award. These letter shirts were predecessor to letter sweaters and jackets.

 Now, it is common practice to award a varsity letter to students for excellence in many extra curricular activities such as sports, performing arts or academic clubs. Few schools award “letterman” jackets or sweaters to their students at the award ceremony. More often, the school only provides the letter. Nevertheless, varsity jackets are almost never purchased before a student has earned a letter. The stripes on the sleeves indicate the number of letters won. And lettermen sometimes add medals, a star or a championship patch to display their achievements.

 Today, Noir Basic designs an elegant version of this all-American symbol of accomplishment.