How Much Do Letterman Jackets Cost In Northern California?

Have you just got your varsity letter and are now looking to buy a letterman jacket to put your letter on? 

If yes, I am sure you are wondering what the cost of a letterman jacket is going to be like.  

Now, as someone who has been designing custom varsity jackets for schools and universities across Northern California, let me tell you there isn’t a fixed price point here. 

That’s because a simple wool-and-leather jacket costs close to the base price. But if you customize it with chenille letters, sports patches, embroidery, graduation years, numbers, and back design, it is going to cost more.

The base price itself can be about $200, and the price increases as you keep customizing. 

In this blog, I have explained how much do letterman jackets cost in Northern California in detail, with examples from our own custom letterman jacket orders. 

So, let’s look at what a varsity jacket is going to cost you realistically. 

Key takeaways

• The base price of a letterman jacket is between $100 and $200. 
• A traditional wool-and-leather jacket costs between $200 and $300 before customization. 
• A customized school letterman jacket can cost between $250 and $400 (or more).
• Extensive patch work, embroidery, leather work, and bigger back designs can push the cost beyond $400.

How much do letterman jackets cost in Northern California exactly?

The cost of a letterman jacket differs a lot based on the jacket and the extent of custom work. And although the final cost will depend on what you exactly need, here’s a cost average based on the orders we get at 5 Star Apparel:  

Note: These are not the official 5 Star Apparel price list. You can reach out to us for an exact quote for your custom letterman jacket work. We will estimate the cost based on the jacket’s base price plus the customization you need. 

Why do letterman jacket prices differ so much?

The cost of a letterman jacket differs mainly because of the jacket material and how much you customize it. 

For instance, let’s say you buy a basic varsity-style jacket with little or no custom decoration. For a jacket like this, you can expect to pay in the $100-$200 range. 

However, I can say the same thing for a traditional school letterman jacket made from wool and leather and stitched with the achievements you have earned. 

Overall, here are the two biggest reasons why the average cost of a letterman jacket varies so much: 

1. The jacket material

This is the biggest cost differentiator when it comes to the base price of a letterman jacket. 

You see, letterman jackets are traditionally made with a wool or Melton-wool body with leather or synthetic leather sleeves. Here, given the materials and the workmanship, the prices easily exceed $200.

However, you can also find jackets that are bulk manufactured and made with fleece, polyester, nylon, satin, or other low-cost materials. Since the material costs are low here and the jackets are mass produced, the cost can be as low as $100. 

So, you are not just paying for the aesthetic but for materials too. Wool and leather jackets feel better, hold their shape, and handle regular wear much better. In fact, with basic maintenance, they can look almost new even after years.  

Pro tip: Before you choose jacket material, think about how long you want to wear the jacket. If you simply want a jacket for aesthetics and fashion, and don’t want to use it for years, basic $100 jackets aren’t bad. But if you want to showcase your varsity letter and keep the jacket for years, I suggest you go for a high-quality wool and leather jacket. 

2. How much you customize the jacket

The extent of customization you need on your jacket also determines how much more you will pay above the base price. 

For instance, if you have earned your first varsity letter, you will just want the letter, your name, graduation year, or sport embroidered on the jacket. You can expect to pay in the range of $250 and $400 for a jacket like this. 

However, let’s say you want everything including varsity letters, your name, graduation year, sport or activity, player number, team position, school mascot, championship patches, back design, and add-on embroidery. Adding all of these on the jacket will take a lot of planning and skilled workmanship, which is why you can expect to pay between $400 and $500. 

What does a complete letterman jacket include?

A complete letterman jacket will include the base jacket and all the customization you want to add to it. This includes school letters, sports or activity patches, embroidery, and leather upgrades you want.

Are these upgrades included in the base price?

No, you only get the jacket for the base price, and all the customizations are charged extra. 

Here’s what is included in the base price and what costs extra:

What makes a letterman jacket so expensive?

Well, letterman jackets aren’t expensive as a base unit. But then, there are some things that shoot the prices quickly.

The first thing is how much you want to decorate your jacket. If you just want the varsity letter and your name embroidered on the jacket, the prices won’t be much higher compared to the base range. 

But then, if you have many sports patches, graduation year, jersey number, mascot, championship patches, and a big back design, the cost will go up. That’s because a lot of skilled work goes into adding all of these things onto a jacket. For instance, embroiderers at 5 Star Apparel sometimes spend days crafting just a single jacket.

Pro tip: If you see a low price advertised online, don’t assume that is the price you will be charged. A lot of sellers advertise their lowest base price and add all the other customizations as an extra charge to your bill. 

How much should a student in Northern California budget for a letterman jacket cost?

As a student in Northern California, you should budget for at least $250-$400 if you are planning to get a traditional customized letterman jacket. This budget will give you enough flexibility to get a high-quality jacket and add a good amount of customization to it. 

Also, if you want premium materials and heavy customization, plan for the $400-$500 range if your budget allows.  

Here are three standard budgets you can plan for based on what you want:

Can schools and teams save money on letterman jackets with bulk orders?

Yes, they can.

If you order letterman jackets in bulk for your school or university team, the per unit cost letterman jacket cost will be much lower than a standalone order. 

That’s because instead of customizing every jacket, we can create consistent jacket designs, patches, color, lettering, etc., based on one approved style. 

Also, you can talk to us about group pricing. We will provide you a clear per-student price, estimate the total group price, and offer the best rates we can for your group order. 

Bonus: Here are 5 things you should check before ordering letterman jacket

FAQs about letterman jacket cost

How much do letterman jackets cost in Northern California?

A traditional customized letterman jacket will cost between $200 and $500, depending on the jacket material and how much customization you add. 

How much are letterman jackets with patches?

It depends on the number and type of patches. A base jacket with patches can start at $200. However, sports patches, chenille letters, names, numbers, graduation years, and other decorations can increase the final cost. 

What is the average cost of a letterman jacket?

Based on our own work, I can suggest an average range of $200-$400 for a traditional customized jacket in Northern California. 

Nevertheless, premium jackets with heavy customization will cost more. 

How much does a basic varsity jacket cost?

A basic varsity-style jacket costs between $100 and $200. But a traditional wool-and-leather letterman jacket with customization can cost more. 

Final thoughts

I am sure you now have a decent idea about how much do letterman jackets cost for school and university students in Northern California. 

I personally suggest you budget between $250 and $400 for a traditional customized jacket. But if you want a jacket just for aesthetics or fashion, even a $100-$200 budget. 

Also, if you are placing a group order for your team, the per unit cost will be much lower. You can talk to us about group orders and we will give you our best price.

Ready to order your letterman jackets?

You can get in touch with us!

At 5 Star Apparel, we offer premium jackets made with classic wool for everyday use and heavyweight Melton wool body to last for decades. We offer custom varsity letter embroidery and patch placement, with each stitch expertly done for top-notch quality.