High School Jackets?

[kellia]

Dd just got her varsity letter in swimming. Problem is, the place that does the varsity jackets by us charges $395!! Are there any places online that anyone has ordered through that has them cheaper than that? Since she's a junior, she's only going to wear it through next winter so I really hate to spend that much on it. At the same time, I feel bad if we don't!

TIA!

 

[Priorityonecb]

Congrats to your daughter! When our daughter lettered, she didn't want a jacket so instead we had a shadow box made with her letter, pins and pictures from her experience with that activity. She is off to college now in an apartment of her own, and that still hangs on her wall! As opposed to the jacket that would be tucked away in a closet by now.

That said, our second daughter will also letter and if she wants a jacket instead I will right here checking back at your responses! Just wanted to share our experience, I'd ask your daughter what is most important to her.

 

[Gina]

$395!!!!

My friend and I were just talking about this, trying to plan for our boys' jackets (both Sophs, in band, and very close to having enough points for their jackets) and we were gulping at how they'll probably be upwards of $125-ish. It would have NEVER dawned on us that they would be even remotely close to four hundred bucks!! Holy cannoli, that is just too much...

I am now VERY interested to see how much others' kids' letter jackets have cost them!!

 

[momto2inKC]

Wow! That seems *really high! Have you called the high school to see if they order them? I just pulled up the form from my high schoolers website and here's how much our school charges-
All wool sailor collar (girls) $125
Set in leather sleeve $145
Raglan leather sleeves $150

 

[maggiew]

I think the ones I bought my DD were around ~$180.

You could mail order one, but it might look different and they would stand out (not in a good way??). Make sure your DD is the kind of kid that would be ok with that.

Maggie

 

[Kirby]

$395!!!!

My friend and I were just talking about this, trying to plan for our boys' jackets (both Sophs, in band, and very close to having enough points for their jackets) and we were gulping at how they'll probably be upwards of $125-ish. It would have NEVER dawned on us that they would be even remotely close to four hundred bucks!! Holy cannoli, that is just too much...

I am now VERY interested to see how much others' kids' letter jackets have cost them!!

I'd faint also if I had to pay that much for my kids letter jackets. Both of mine were in band also but the band paid for them. I know that there are jackets out there for less. Wonder if that amount includes the patches.

Even though I didn't have to pay for my kid's jackets, I know that I paid that much for the patches and having them sewn on, especially my daughters. Her jacket is covered with patches.

 

[elgerber]

I have a friend who just got one for their son, and it was $400. My dd will earn an academic and drama letter this year, but YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Colleen27]

Unfortunately I think that's about right. The one I begged my mom for cost $250+ almost 15 years ago and I'd assume they've gone up like everything else in that time. My mom decided that wasn't do-able and went the shadowbox route instead.

I fully expect to be buying at least two of my kids letter jackets (its too soon to guess for the youngest), because both of my older kids are athletic and involved in team sports where the varsity jacket is a Very. Big. Thing. to high school players, much more important than any clothing trend or electronic gizmo.

 

[Disneybuckeye]

I paid $160 a piece for both of my boys jackets bought through the school. One lettered as a freshman and the other a sophomore, so they had them for a while. Their school only gave out letter to athletes. I think it is a great idea to give them for other activities. Suprised their school did not do that. Also, it cost me another $50 to have Varsity and JV letters, names, graduation year numbers, and state championship patches sewn on.

I think I might have thought twice on $400 jackets as they much preferred to wear their North Face. My daughter's school did not have jackets (my kids went to same sex private high schools). Her letters are on her bulletin board. Much cheaper.

 

[Swimalie]

I think mine was over $200 and that was over 20 years ago. I know it's not cheap but spend the money. I still love my letter jacket. I also lettered 6 times in swimming (we started in 7th grade) and 3 years of band. I wore that jacket out!

 

[Priorityonecb]

I answered about the shadow box my older daughter wanted. I asked my husband tonight because he's looked into cost in case our younger daughter wants a jacket, he said they are $175 at our school. I told him the $400 some of you are paying, that is crazy!

 

[scbelleatheart]

Our 4 kids were around that price and you could only get the official jacket after you received your first Varsity letter. 3 Varsity letters could be earned, sports, academics and music/drama. After they got their first Varsity letter they could purchase the coat then they got chevrons for each year/sport/band season participation. The sleeves were lined by the time they graduated although only 2 kids got all 3 Varsity letters. They are all in my attic now! At least they opted out of class rings and decided to get their college rings instead. My kids aren't old either, they are all in their 20's.

 

[CowboyCO]

How about that ad that is now appearing in this thread? $150 sounds pretty cheap...

 

[Disney_Freak56]

Are you absolutely sure she wants a jacket?

I bought my daughter's letter jacket 14 years ago and it was about $175. Then there's the patches she wanted, her name embroidered on it, the class bands for the other 3 years she lettered. She wore the jacket when it was convenient. Not enough to warrant all the money I spent on the "extras" not to mention the fees I paid to have the letter, patches, bands, etc. stitched onto the jacket.

I was a very proud Mama, but once she left high school, that jacket stayed in our hall closet. In fact, it's still there today.

I guess my point is, make sure she wants the jacket before you start spending hundreds of dollars on it.

 

[sherry7]

Wow, that is expensive. I'm feeling pretty lucky...DS lettered as a freshman, and he got his jacket for only $30. The school had a Varsity Club that ran the concession stands, etc and the profits went toward buying the jackets. The athletes were required to work the concession stand a certain number of times per year.

 

[Robinrs]

I bought my son's color varsity jacket off of Amazon last year. Luckily they had his school colors!

http://www.amazon.com/MAROON-CARDINAL-PURPLE-WOOL-BODY/dp/B000Q63C8A/ref=pd_sbs_a_28

 

[seashoreCM]

If you or she has to scrimp and save to buy that jacket, then better not to buy it.

If the jacket got lost or stained or torn or stolen, the hearbreak will be huge for a $395. jacket.