<P> An athlete who is awarded a letter (or letters in multiple sports) is said to have "lettered" when they receive their letter . </P> <P> In recent years, some schools have expanded the concept of letterman beyond sports, providing letters for performance in performing arts, academics, or other school activities . </P> <P> A letter jacket is a baseball - styled jacket traditionally worn by high school and college students in the United States to represent school and team pride as well as to display personal awards earned in athletics, academics or activities . Letter jackets are also known as "varsity jackets" and "baseball jackets" in reference to their American origins . </P> <P> The body (i.e., torso) is usually of boiled wool and the sleeves of leather with banded wrists and waistband . Letter jackets are usually produced in the school colors with the body of the jacket in the school's primary color and sleeves in the secondary color . Although sometimes, the colors of the jacket may be customized to a certain extent by the student . There could be cases where a student could change the color so much that it doesn't differentiate too much from school colors . They usually feature a banded collar for men or a hood for women . </P>

Where do chevrons go on a varsity jacket