Traditional style – now back in stock

Like the recent revival of the Tigers’ football program and the introduction of the annual Homecoming event, the Dalhousie Bookstore is hoping the addition of a classic collegiate jacket will reignite a once popular university tradition.

Tammy Corkum, the Bookstore’s merchandise buyer, says the traditional collegiate jacket was a mainstay among sports teams at Dal for years up until about 1992 when the waist-length jackets was phased out in favour of a hooded, knee-length polyester jacket.

“I have no idea why the jackets went out of style with students,” says Ms. Corkum, who’s worked at the Bookstore since 1985. “But I don’t want to see this tradition die again.”

The new jackets come in two versions – an all-leather and a leather-wool ‘melton‘ mix. Although every effort was made to bring back the exact same jacket, some design modifications had to be made to cater to modern style sensibilities. Instead of the old Dalhousie crest on the front left breast, for instance, the new jackets sport a capital letter ‘D.’ But perhaps the most significant alteration is to the melton version, which sees its once-white leather sleeves replaced with black leather.

But in every other way—right down to the same Toronto company that manufactured the jackets years ago—the jackets and the bright gold cresting are the same.

“It’s the same leather jacket your father would’ve worn,” says Ms. Corkum.

Dal pride is in fashion

As the person who manages Dal’s clothing lines—from t-shirts and hoodies to mittens and wind-breakers—Ms. Corkum is in a good position to take stock of university spirit.

“You wouldn’t have seen this amount of interest in university clothing here at Dal a few years ago,” she explains, noting an increase in sales. “Perhaps the school spirit has always been there and we’re just doing a better job of giving students what they want.”

The jacket, which was brought back in stock earlier this fall, has one happy owner of note: last week, Ms. Corkum personally presented President Tom Traves with one complete with a number ‘95’ on the left sleeve representing the year he was appointed.

“It was the number one highlight of my career,” she exclaims. “To see how much he enjoyed it and to hear that he’s received many compliments about it... I’m just really proud of that jacket and the tradition that it holds.”