Cherry Cokes, Flat Tops and Varsity Jackets

Welcome back to the 1950s. First came the return of cherry Cokes. Then the flat-top haircut. Now, varsity jackets are back in style.

You remember the varsity jacket. It was made of wool--in school colors--with white leather sleeves. The biggest kid in school looked great in his, adorned, of course, with a varsity football letter. In the ‘50s, guys would still be wearing them years after graduation.

But for the last few decades, the varsity jacket has been seen only on high school campuses, or maybe in the back of the closet. Now it has become the latest fashion craze.

The new version, found in trendy clothing stores, looks pretty much the same as the old style. However, the letter patches are more colorful and the jacket will likely sport the words “Tokyo High” or some other stylishly contrived logo. Men and women who have long since left the classroom are wearing them to bars and dance clubs.

“I had one in high school and I have a different one now,” said Dean Masserman, 23, of Encino. “I think they look cool. It gives me a sense of being back in school, makes me look younger.”

Genuine varsity jackets, like the one pictured, are just as popular and can be found at second-hand stores. They cost about $50 to $100, compared to the $100 to $400 you might pay for a new-version jacket in a retail boutique.

The trend may actually have started overseas. Used-clothing store salesmen say that, several years ago, buyers for European and Japanese boutiques, hungry for Americana, began buying up all their old varsity jackets.

“Maybe it’s developed into a fashion item now, but it’s always been a good kick-around jacket,” said David Biondi, co-manager of Aardvark’s, a Canoga Park used-clothing store.

And it looks great with a flat-top.