Youth varsity jackets with fleece bodies: 4 looks for club stores

Junior squads used to get the same varsity jacket as the adults, just in the smallest size we had. It never sat right. This month we added four fleece-body varsity jackets cut on youth and kids patterns, and they're the ones club shops have been asking about for the under-16s.

Why clubs want a junior varsity jacket of their own

The varsity jacket has turned into club merch. Players wear it to training, parents wear it in the stands, and the juniors want to look like the first team. A shrunk adult jacket doesn't do that. The sleeves run long, the body is boxy and wool is heavy on a ten-year-old.

So the youth and kids versions change the build. The body is cotton fleece instead of melton wool, the sleeves are faux leather, and the rib collar, cuffs and waistband keep the classic stripes. They're lighter, easier to wash at home and still look like a proper letterman.

Look 1: Classic red and white

This is the colourway most people picture when you say letterman. A cardinal red fleece body, white faux-leather sleeves, white and red striped rib and white snaps. It works for school teams and clubs with red in the crest, and it photographs well on a club shop page.

Look 2: Tonal all black

Some clubs want the jacket to go with everything. The tonal version keeps it all black: black fleece body, black faux-leather sleeves, black and charcoal striped rib and matte black snaps. It hides mud and wear, which parents of younger players tend to notice first.

Black hides the mud. Colour goes on the crest. A simple rule for junior kit

Look 3: Pastel lilac and cream

Soft two-tone colourways are growing in girls' and youth club merch, and cheer squads ask for them often. The lilac version has a lilac fleece body, cream faux-leather sleeves, lilac and cream striped rib and cream snaps. It's hip length and comes blank, so the squad name can go on later.

What to settle before you order a junior varsity

• Youth or kids pattern. Youth runs YXS-YXL, kids runs 3T-7. Youth and adult sizes come from separate patterns too, so send the split early.
• Decoration. Chenille letter, embroidered crest or patches. Say which, because it changes the mock-up.
• Names on the back. Decide now if each child gets a name. It affects how the order is packed and checked.
• Snap colour. White, cream or matte black. It's a small detail that buyers often forget to confirm.