For Spring/Summer 2025, two brands with distinct yet complementary histories—British menswear disruptor Percival and American sportswear institution Champion—reconnect in a project that honors athletic tradition through a lens of elevated style.

This ongoing creative alliance now turns its gaze toward the golden age of school spirit and varsity pride, placing the spotlight on collegiate culture and the understated confidence of trackside heritage.

The result is a sophisticated and cheekily nostalgic range rooted in Champion’s long-standing legacy as a provider of uniforms and equipment for school sports teams. In the hands of Percival, known for its idiosyncratic tailoring and irreverent wit, these roots become the fertile ground for a new expression of leisurewear—where prep meets play and mascots don’t just cheer; they pose.

Heritage Revived on the Track

Shot on the classic setting of a school athletic field, the SS25 campaign places the collection in its natural habitat. Painted lines on grass, long jump sandpits, wire fences, and wooden bleachers serve as the backdrop—not merely for aesthetic value, but to echo a broader story: a reimagining of Champion’s historic role in shaping the everyday uniforms of student-athletes across American high schools and Ivy League campuses.

But instead of relying on nostalgia for its own sake, this initiative reinterprets it. Here, varsity culture is styled through a British lens—subtle, smart, and self-aware. The familiar becomes novel. The athletic becomes intellectual.

Palette and Purpose: Neutrality as a Canvas

The SS25 assortment is largely characterized by its restrained, versatile palette: shades of white, navy, tan, and leafy green dominate. These hues are not loud, but they’re anything but basic. They conjure the faded hallways of prep schools, the sun-bleached markings of well-worn fields, and the pre-laundered crispness of school gym gear.

These tones serve not just as aesthetic anchors but as narrative cues. They suggest formality without stiffness and athleticism without aggression. Every piece feels purpose-built for the man who appreciates comfort—but refuses to compromise on character.

Mascots and Marks: Character Through Emblem

At the center of this offering is a playful interplay between vintage graphics and tailored structure. Champion’s iconic “C” emblem is reimagined in tandem with Percival’s “P” to form a new language of branding—one that recalls school crests and varsity badges but infused with British whimsy.

Mascots—a longstanding staple of school sports culture—appear here not as aggressive symbols of competition but as cartoon companions. The collection includes bears, tigers, and greyhounds, each rendered with charm rather than menace. These characters straddle the line between nostalgia and novelty, giving life to otherwise classic silhouettes.

The standout? A Speed Greyhound T-Shirt in an oversized cut, emblazoned with a two-tone graphic print that reads like fictional university merch. The bold red and blue design on its reverse proclaims allegiance to the imagined “Percival Athletic Department,” a tongue-in-cheek creation that could easily pass for a real track and field club tee from 1977.

Highlights From the Wardrobe

Though anchored in casual wear, the collection does not lack sophistication. It approaches leisurewear with care, combining thoughtful graphics with considered fabrication. Here are several key pieces that demonstrate the line’s versatility and inventive flair:

Campus Rugby Polo Sweatshirt

A mint green body paired with a creamy off-white collar lends this piece a springlike air, perfect for layering or statement styling. An embroidered appliqué on the chest bears the inscription “Perci Campus Sportswear,” nodding to old-school pennants and gym class gear, while the back offers a tonal graphic that rewards close inspection. It’s collegiate without being costume, relaxed without being careless.

Bear Mascot Nylon Jacket

Cut in the tradition of American high school coach jackets, this piece updates the classic silhouette with Percival’s signature tailoring and Champion’s archival branding. The golden tan color references vintage sideline staples, while a Champion dry goods patch adds authenticity. The subtle shine of the nylon and the crisp outline of the bear mascot give it an editorial polish.

Mascot Graphic Tees

The beating heart of this initiative lies in its T-shirts. Each one, while structurally simple, carries character. The bears, greyhounds, and tigers are printed in collegiate fonts and colorways, evoking everything from intramural uniforms to late-night cramming apparel. These are garments that speak of campus life, both real and imagined—crafted for students of both sport and style.

Tan Mascot Sports Cap

Accessories are often where a line makes its final statement, and this one does so with charming efficiency. The tan cap, matching the Bear Mascot Jacket, serves as both punctuation and invitation. With a subtle curve in the brim and embroidered detail, it tops off the story with understated pride.

A Shared Language of Utility and Style

Percival and Champion are a study in contrasts and compatibility. One is rooted in tailoring and irony, the other in heritage and function. Yet together, they construct a shared vision where comfort doesn’t sacrifice detail and function meets whimsy.

This season’s project builds on earlier efforts between the two houses, deepening their mutual aesthetic vocabulary. Whereas past ventures leaned into seasonal experimentation, SS25 feels more narrative-driven—less trend-chasing and more time-traveling.

It acknowledges the past but does not mimic it. It builds something fresh atop foundational memories—letterman jackets, field drills, the clatter of lockers, the whistle of a coach.

Commentary and Context

This offering arrives at a time when athletic wear continues to evolve into everyday essentials. As fashion leans more toward utilitarian silhouettes and wear-anywhere versatility, the lessons of sportswear’s past offer both comfort and clarity. The idea of dressing like a student—or at least one who attends a fictional university with impeccable branding—has never been more appealing.

Moreover, the SS25 campaign smartly positions itself in a cultural moment that reveres both nostalgia and individuality. The use of vintage mascots and varsity tropes is never ironic for irony’s sake; it is affectionate, precise, and joyfully aware of its roots.

The fact that this project is available now—ready for immediate wear—speaks to its utility. These aren’t garments for archival admiration. They’re meant to be worn, layered, washed, and lived in. They bring with them the warmth of memory but the tailoring of today.

Varsity Reimagined

In an age where activewear is everywhere, it takes particular talent to make it feel specific, storied, and sincere. This latest edition from Percival and Champion achieves just that.

By drawing from the aesthetics of school sports history while updating the fit, tone, and material for a discerning modern audience, the SS25 collection captures the spirit of the track, the classroom, and the quad—and transforms it into an everyday uniform for now.

 

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