Moments In Time - FFA Jackets

Moments In time is a new series exclusive to our Heddels+ community. In this series, we will take a closer look at specific pieces and silhouettes from the past which have had a lasting impact on our niche today. From unsung-but-iconic vintage pieces like the Cossack Jacket and Karakoram Parka to modern heritage staples like the Guayabera shirt and Monkey Boot, we’ll be dissecting these classics to find out how they made their mark and where we can find both vintage and contemporary articles today.

Usually, archetypal heritage garments rise through the ranks of function and fashion while navigating several fields, industries, and subcultures. Leather jackets were used by daredevils and distinguished professors to military personnel and fringe rebels. Workwear outfitted manual laborers of all sorts – from railroaders and factory employees to prisoners doing hard time. But with so many variations disseminating through so many facets of life, is it really that shocking that the chambray work shirt went from the farm to the decks of battleships, to Hollywood sets, and to your closet? It was, in other words, bound to happen.

There are many cases of this within vintage, but none capture the specificity, the niche-ness that one garment — from one organization — in one field, managed to grow from the ground up. We’re talking about the Future Farmers of America (FFA) Jacket.

FFA Jacket Backstory

Image via Shopffa

The Future Farmers of America (FFA) was created in 1928 to support youth agricultural education and quickly grew as a nationwide organization. And although they’ve done tons of great work for agriculture in the United States, as well as being a mentorship and leadership elements to help kids lead purposefully, that’s not why we are here, today.

See, the FFA motto is “Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve” but, it should really be “Doing this for the Jacket” because the jacket that members began wearing, and have worn over the years, is certainly worth joining up for.

Gus Linter handing out a jacket in 1968 via Agricorps

Simply known as FFA jackets or the FFA corduroy jacket, these jackets were first used in 1933 when FFA advisor Gus Linter saw a blue corduroy jacket with an embroidered bulldog graphic in the window of a hardware store or haberdasher in Fredericktown, Ohio. He thought this style of coat would be perfect for FFA garb, as corduroy was popular amongst the youth and doubled up as a hardwearing fabric.

Linter found out that the jacket in the window was made by the Universal Uniform Company, a maker of exactly what you’d expect, given their name — work, delivery, and school-related clothing and sets. As such, he reached out to a sales rep at the company to get a sample made, which turned into the whole chapter rolling up to the 1933 National Convention decked out in them. This led to the FFA officially adopting these jackets as part of the official dress code. Talk about making a strong first impression!

30s chapter posing for a photo via University Library

The rest was history, and a truly treasured, respected piece of history at that. Because to this day, FFA jackets are made nearly exactly how they were when they were first created. Pure Americana, but wildly unknown if you or someone you know wasn’t involved.

30s Advertising via University Library

What Makes an FFA Jacket?

1950s FFA Jacket via American History

So, whether you endured all that build-up or just skipped to this section (welcome), I should probably describe this jacket for the uninitiated. First things first, FFA jackets — although coming in slight variations throughout the years — are known for their luscious-but-utilitarian navy blue corduroy fabric, second only to its material is the gold chain stitching on the front chest and back, with matching chain stitched emblems.

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A 1944 FFA Jacket with arrow trim pockets, cinches, and snap closure via WorthPoint

Specifically, the left chest would be emblazoned with a small FFA crest which features both an eagle and owl guarding over some farmland with the sun rising, and then your name and position on the right of the chest. The back would feature a larger FFA crest with your state name chain stitched above and your town/ city chain stitched below. The older and most sought-after FFA jackets, not surprisingly, are the first gen ones that feature snap buttons, side cinches, d-pockets with arrow trim, and an open cossack collar. As time went on, the snaps were replaced by a zipper placket, side cinches were removed, and the pockets were simplified.

A later vintage FFA Jacket with simplified pockets and zipper via Etsy

How Much Will An Original Set You Back?

Vintage FFA JAcket via Jaipur’s School

The good news is, unlike the items featured thus far in Moments In Time series, FFA jackets are relatively accessible. From eBay to vintage shops, even yard sales and flea markets — depending on what part of the country you are in — there are plenty to go ’round and a common article will run you from $30 to like $120. They’re available in lots of sizes, too, so you can actually wear one without looking like it was a reverse hand-me-down. And since there were/are so many chapters, you can get as niche as you want with your example, whether you’re searching for your hometown or a string of letters that looks aesthetically pleasing.

You can technically buy an FFA jacket for $60 on the FFA website, but you have to choose your organization for the chain stitching and other features and we’re not going to advocate customizing a jacket for an organization you are not a part of – that’s slightly different to picking up a vintage piece!

Original ‘Sweetheart’ Jacket advert via Exhibits

This of course is just the entry-level stuff, i.e., if you just want any old one, you’ll be good to go. However, the older you go, the more the value starts to increase and the harder these jackets are to find. The aforementioned first wave can run up to 4 digits apparently — that’s if you’re lucky enough to even find one up for grabs. There is also a white ‘Sweetheart‘ variant prevalent in the 60s when girls weren’t allowed to join, and one of those will run you a few hundred bucks if you can track one down.

A vintage sweetheart jacket via Reddit

Why is it Important?

Studio D'Artisan Channels Vintage American Farmers Jackets With Its SDA Embroidery Jacket

Studio D’Artisan’s playful 2018 repro of a FFA Jacket via Hinoya

Not only did the FFA Jacket rise from humble beginnings to symbolize a key organization in the US, but it has also steadily influenced taste in clothing and fashion, a point exemplified by its success as a popular vintage garment. At its core, the FFA jacket is a clean, simple piece with classic appeal. It comes in an interesting yet understated fabric in the perfect shade of blue. The chain-stitching not only captures a snapshot of personal Americana history and local pride but doubles as fun graphics that perfectly pop off the regal backdrop. It’s a slightly boxy, classic cut that goes with a ton of styles. Basically, the template for many later vintage jackets, modern recreations, and even the most en vogue pieces on the market. To know it all grew from one seed planted in one town and sprouted into a phenomenon wins a prize at the state fair as far as we’re concerned. It’s just such a beautifully designed membership jacket.

Samurai Jeans’ FFA Jacket-Inspired Corduroy SCCJ17 Blouson

Important P.S.

1940s advertisement for the NFA via Exhibits

Because of segregation, African Americans had to found their own organization called New Farmers of America, which started in 1935. In 1965, the FFA was finally desegregated and the two organizations merged. Their jackets were nearly identical but featured black corduroy and their own crest. Women were allowed into the organization 4 years later in 1969.