This past fall, buying a six-pack was impossible without running into hordes of them—from vintage numbers to big brand versions, the varsity jacket (or letterman jacket) was inarguably the unofficial coat of 2013. Not to mention every known designer in the galaxy had their own iteration to contribute to the cause.

But like camo prints and big beards, varsity jackets are enduring a grueling test right now: the test of relevance. It's now late January, and everyone and their chinchilla has one. Is this bad? Not entirely, as the garment's rich history and subtle class have all but saved it from veering into tired territory. But it's come close. A little too close.

Thankfully, local designer Sean Brown (and his streetwear label, needs&wants) has a counter to the varsity jacket invasion. And it's simple, yet inarguably elegant: Brown's jackets, which are all 100% designed and handmade in Toronto, feature contrasting sleeves, in both colour and fabric. It's a signature he calls the "inverted sleeve." And if those weren't stylish enough, he's crafted a black piece that melds elements of varsity coat with a pea coat. It's made from 100% wool, boasts a warm, quilted interior and fits slim (though not so much that you can't layer). The result is a truly unique statement on this whole craze, and it's the kind of sartorial rebellion that's helped the young designer make waves in T.O.'s booming menswear scene.

And they say originality is dead. 

$475. Available online at Needs&Wants Studios