Diary · Fashion · 3 November 2026 · Geoffrey Guyonnet
BAL VARSITY JACKET AND HOODIE
By AVIREX x BAL x BEAMS T
BEAMS turns 50 this year, and the anniversary programme keeps producing odd pairings. The latest is a three-way project between AVIREX, BAL and BEAMS T, centred on a varsity jacket and a hoodie, both out on Saturday 7 November.
The three names each bring something different. AVIREX is the American flight-jacket brand founded in 1975, with a long heritage in military-inspired outerwear. BAL is a Tokyo label founded in 2002 by the team behind the culture and retail platform LOOSE JOINTS, known for collections built with graphic designers, musicians and photographers. BEAMS T is the BEAMS line devoted to T-shirts and graphic pieces, run out of Harajuku. The brief was to merge AVIREX's heritage with BAL's graphic language.
The varsity jacket carries most of the idea. The body is suede and the collar is smooth leather, so the two surfaces contrast in texture while staying close in colour. BAL's graphics cover the whole body in the same tone as the suede, which means they read up close rather than from across the street. Inside, a special name label shows pennants for all three brands, a detail that is easy to miss and clearly meant for people who check the inside of a jacket.
A hoodie is released at the same time. It uses an original BEAMS T body and a BAL design that connects with the graphic on the jacket, so the two can be worn together or separately.
The source does not state prices. Both pieces will be sold at selected BEAMS stores and on the BEAMS online store; BEAMS Harajuku, at 3-24-7 Jingumae, Shibuya, is the contact point listed for enquiries.
