Curate, connect, and discover
Headcanon time!! I like to think that in season 1 or before, Varian sewed little patches onto his apron. Maybe something from a Flynn rider book, something representing the farm he lived on, the Sundrop flower for Rapunzel, a V for his name, etc.
I think at the end of Vat7k, all of his friends and family got together to surprise him with a giant jumper or blanket, where each person made a cute little patch. Even if that person didn't know how to sew or knit or something, it just made it more special. Even if it was super itchy, Var would still keep it