American Sportswear: A Collegiate Connection

Celebrating Heritage, Identity, and Community Through Style

Part of the reason I love Ivy League style and collegiate style is how it incorporates American sportswear.

I can’t say I’m much of a fan of British sports; I’ll watch them, particularly if it’s the Olympics, but I fell out of love with British football, or soccer as it’s called in America, many years ago.

I do love the NFL and MLB, though. I think it’s because they’re over in America, across the pond, and they still have that fairy-tale quality to me. The grass is greener, I guess.

Ivy League style emerged on the campuses of prestigious American universities like Harvard, Yale, and Princeton during the mid-20th century. These schools were not only known for their academic rigour but also for their strong athletic programmes.

Sports such as rowing, football, and athletics were central to campus life, and the clothing associated with these activities naturally influenced the everyday style of students.

The casual, practical attire worn for sports began to blend with more formal academic dress, creating a distinctive style that emphasised comfort, durability, and tradition.

The obvious items we tend to think of are varsity jackets and letterman sweaters. I suppose they’re the key staples of how Ivy style and sportswear merge. Originally, these were symbols of athletic achievement, awarded to students who made the varsity team. They served as status symbols on campus and later evolved into fashion items, embodying the pride and spirit of the university. You don’t have to look far on the high street to see their influence—just check out Ralph Lauren’s recent collections, where you’ll find plenty of varsity-inspired pieces.

Back in the day, if you walked through the campuses of Princeton or Harvard, you’d spot students like John F. Kennedy or F. Scott Fitzgerald proudly donning their letterman sweaters, each representing not just a sport but also a piece of their identity on campus. For Kennedy, it might have been a reminder of his time on the Harvard swimming team—a mark of both his physical achievement and his connection to the university’s traditions.

Harvard Swimming Team. JFK Pictured third from left back row.

Here’s a picture of Kennedy’s Harvard letterman shawl cardigan, which sold at auction for $85,000.

Take a more recent example: Tom Brady, who, before becoming an NFL legend, was a University of Michigan quarterback. He may have moved on to Super Bowl rings, but that iconic maize and blue varsity jacket he sported back in Ann Arbor still carries a sense of pride for Michigan fans. It’s the same spirit you’ll find in any varsity jacket or letterman sweater today, worn not just for warmth but as a nod to the legacy of those who came before.

Here’s Brady pictured in his letterman jacket for Sierra High in California, from which he graduated in 1995.

I was in London last weekend for the NFL, watching the New York Jets, my team, play against the Minnesota Vikings. It was a close game, and the Vikings clinched the win in the end. One thing I really liked was how inclusive American football is compared to football here in the UK. Fans were mixed, which I think is quite a difficult thing to achieve in the UK. Perhaps it’s because American football is less established here, but seeing people wearing different teams’ jerseys was really cool.

One aspect I’ve always preferred about American teams’ kits is the lack of sponsorship. Unlike UK football kits, there are no airline logos, gas companies, or petrol brands—nothing like that. The design really speaks for itself, and that brings me to my other passion: baseball, from the Jets to the Mets.

The Mets are my team, and I love everything about them. I think, out of all sports, baseball has the best kit design. It’s a style where you can see the heritage in every detail. The origins of baseball uniforms date back to the 19th century, with the New York Knickerbockers being the first team to wear uniforms in 1849. They wore flannel shirts, wool trousers, and straw hats—far from the sleek, modern designs we see today, but these early uniforms set the foundation for the classic look.

Over the years, baseball uniforms have evolved to include features like button-down jerseys and caps, which have become iconic. The simplicity of the designs, with pinstripes or bold block lettering, reflects a tradition that values the history and identity of each team. Even today, teams like the Yankees and the Mets maintain design elements that have been part of their identity for decades, making the uniforms a visual link to the past. This focus on heritage and tradition makes baseball kits timeless, which is why I think they stand out so much.

The design of the baseball shirt is truly unique. It’s somewhere between a Henley and a traditional button-down shirt, but I think it can be worn with ease. It’s a statement piece with loads of design elements, and it just screams Americana.

One of the best I’ve seen on the market in a long time is the Wellsboro baseball shirt by Darte London. The shirt takes its name from a well-known fishing and camping destination in Pennsylvania. The aim of the collection was to create items inspired by sightseeing, camping, sports, and roadside attractions throughout America in the 1950s and 60s. This design captures all of that, especially in the beautifully stitched font on the front.

It’s clear that Ivy League style and American sportswear are about more than just looks—they reflect a rich heritage and sense of community. From varsity jackets that showcase school pride to baseball uniforms steeped in tradition, each piece tells a story.

What’s your favourite piece of sportswear that blends style and heritage?

Thanks for reading,

Tom