History and Significance of the Iconic Florida A&M Jacket

History of the Florida A&M Jacket

The Florida A&M University (FAMU) jacket holds a special place in the history and culture of this longstanding historically Black university in Tallahassee, Florida. The classic letterman-style jacket, with leather sleeves and wool body sporting the university's colors of orange and green is a symbol of pride and community for FAMU students and alumni.

The FAMU varsity jacket likely originated in the mid-20th century as attire for student athletes playing university sports like football, baseball, basketball, and track. Letterman jackets were a popular way for athletes to display their school pride and achievement in representing FAMU on the field or court. The tradition spread to the general student body, and now the jacket is beloved by all FAMU students and alumni as a timeless representation of their college experience.

Significance of School Colors

The orange and green colors of the FAMU jacket hearken back to the university's early days. FAMU's founding president, Thomas DeSaille Tucker, chose the school colors to signify the prospective bright future ahead for the young historically Black college and its students. Orange represents the beautiful Florida oranges that the state is famous for, while green symbolizes the lush agricultural landscape.

Customization Traditions

While the standard colors of the jackets have stayed consistent over the decades, many FAMU students choose to customize their jackets to make them their own. Varsity jackets lend themselves nicely to various custom touches like embroidered names, graduation years, nicknames, and illustrations that display the owner's interests and personality.

Some common FAMU jacket customizations over the years have included Greek fraternity or sorority symbols for members of FAMU's renowned Divine 9 Black Greek organizations, an embroidered rattler head to represent FAMU's mascot, and hometown patches to rep where a student is from.

The FAMU Jacket as Cultural Icon

Beyond just athletic apparel, the orange and green FAMU leather sleeve jacket has become ingrained as a cultural symbol of connectivity. When FAMU alumni spot fellow Rattlers around the world sporting the classic jacket, it sparks an immediate sense of shared identity and fellowship with that person and the wider Rattler community.

In Music and Film

This cultural significance has led the FAMU jacket to pop up occasionally as visual shorthand in films and music videos looking to showcase the style and swagger of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Rapper 2 Chainz and singer Janelle Monae have both memorably donned FAMU jackets in their music videos. In the 2002 film Drumline about a fictional HBCU marching band, you may catch a glimpse of orange and green in the stands.

Fashion and Function

Beyond pop culture references, the FAMU varsity jacket also continues to be an on-trend fashion piece. The style has a vintage appeal to it that cycles in and out of mainstream fashion. And in colder climates, the jacket's warm, durable construction makes it a functional cold-weather essential, especially around Tallahassee where winters can get quite chilly.

Where to Buy an Authentic FAM Jacket

There are a few options if you are looking to purchase a licensed, authentic FAMU leather sleeve varsity jacket. The first is to buy directly from the FAMU campus bookstore either online or in person when visiting Tallahassee. There are also usually several custom jacket vendors that set up shop around campus that sell quality jackets.

Online Retailers

In addition to the school store, there are a handful of reliable online HBCU apparel shops that offer classic FAMU jackets in a range of sizes and styles. Sites like HBCU Gameday Shop and Awesome Greek are go-to spots for officially licensed gear.

Vintage Finds

If you are looking for a truly one-of-a-kind FAMU jacket, keep your eye out at vintage and secondhand stores. Since the jackets have such longevity and are often passed down between family and friends, you can uncover some excellent vintage finds with that perfectly worn-in feel.

However you choose to rep FAMU with your orange and green jacket, know that you are continuing a special tradition that connects back to past, present and future generations of Rattlers!

FAQs

When did the FAMU varsity jacket tradition originate?

The FAMU leather sleeve varsity jacket likely originated in the mid-20th century as attire for student athletes. Letterman-style jackets were popular then for players to display school spirit.

What do the orange and green colors of the FAMU jacket symbolize?

Orange represents the bright Florida oranges the state is known for. Green symbolizes the lush agricultural landscape of Florida.

Where can I buy an authentic, licensed FAMU jacket?

You can purchase official FAMU jackets directly through the FAMU campus bookstore online or in person. There are also several reliable online retailers that sell licensed FAMU varsity jackets.

Why has the jacket become so deeply ingrained in FAMU culture?

The jacket has transcended athletics to become a symbol of connectivity and shared identity among students, alumni, and the wider FAMU community.