Let's talk about this jacket. The new Arsenal x Adidas varsity number. “Varsity Reds,” they’re calling it. And yeah, it’s fire. Objectively. Red, white, blue – classic colors, clean lines. Big gothic ‘A’ slapped on the chest and back like a badge of honor, or maybe a dare. An 1886 patch with a little cannon on the arm – history stitched into the fabric, you know?
But let's be real, a varsity jacket? In 2024? It's a statement. This isn’t just about keeping warm; it’s about wrapping yourself in a story. It’s America, yeah, letterman jackets, jocks, all that jazz. But it’s also North London, innit? It’s the Emirates, the roar of the crowd, generations of fans passing down the love, the loyalty, like a well-worn scarf.
And Adidas, they’ve been on it this year with the Arsenal collabs. They get it. They understand that football isn't just a game; it’s identity. It's a way of saying, "This is my tribe. This is where I belong." And a varsity jacket? That’s a uniform for belonging. It says, "I'm part of something bigger than myself."
But here's the thing that always gets me: who gets to belong? Who gets to wear this badge of honor? Is it just the guys on the pitch, the ones with the million-pound contracts? Or is it the kid in the council estate, saving up their pocket money to buy the shirt, the jacket, anything to feel close to that magic?
Look, I love the aesthetics. The way the white sleeves pop against the red, the vintage vibe of the Arsenal insignia. They even threw in a matching t-shirt, sweatsuit, shorts – the full ‘80s American university fantasy. And who doesn’t love a bit of fantasy? But I can't help but wonder what it all means, you know? What stories are we telling when we pull on this jacket? Who are we when we wear these clothes?
Because a jacket is never just a jacket, is it? It’s a symbol. A statement. A way of saying, "This is who I am. This is what I stand for." And in a world that's constantly trying to tell us who we should be, what we should wear, what we should believe, maybe choosing your own uniform, your own tribe, your own damn jacket…maybe that’s a kind of power.
The ‘Varsity’ capsule dropped, by the way. You can grab it online at the Arsenal store. But before you do, think about what you’re buying. Think about what you're saying. Because in the end, the clothes don't make the person. It's the person who makes the clothes mean something.
Remember to sign up to our Newsletter for more updates, and to get your hands on some exclusive deals.
