Figure 1.-- Here we see an unidentifiued American class, we think in the early-1920s. Notice the boys wearing heavy rolled-collar sweaters.

We note several types of sweaters. The type of sweater was in part, but not entirely determined by the type of collar. Pullovers, for example could have a variety of collars. Another major way of differentiating sweaters are the sleeves. The first sweaters were long sleeve grments, but this eventually changed. There were also sweaters with different sleeves. Eventually sleeveless sweaters developed. We have never seen short-sleeved sweaters. We begin to see these sweaters (early-20th century). Two of the first popular styles were roll collars and cardigans. We notice roll-collars (1910s) We also note cardigans in the early-20th century. We also see shawl collars. These early sweaters tended to be heavy. Gradually we see lighter versions. Another popular early-style was the turtle neck. For parents who wanted a little formality, a V-neck could be purchased which showed a tie. Crew an V-necks are probanly he two most popular types. Other boys wore crew necks. Sweaters in bright patterns and colors, often called ski sweaters, became very popular. In addition to different neck styles. The letter-man's sweater was one of an Americam teenagers most prized possessions. They were often done as cardigans.

Collars

We note several types of sweaters. The type of sweater was in part, but not entirely determined by the type of collar. Pullovers, for example could have a variety of collars. Two of the first popular styles were roll collars and cardigans. We notice roll-collars (1910s) We also note cardigans in the early-20th century. We also see shawl collars. Another popular early-style was the turtle neck. For parents who wanted a little formality, a V-neck could be purchased which showed a tie. Crew an V-necks are probanly he two most popular types. Other boys wore crew necks.In addition to different neck styles. The letter-man's sweater was one of an Americam teenagers most prized possessions. They were often done as cardigans.

Sleeves

Another major way of differentiating sweaters are the sleeves. The first sweaters were long sleeve garments. This is understandavle given the fact that early sweaters tended to be heavy, cold eater garments like the seaters we see here (figure 1). Obviously as cold weather garments, sleeves were imprtant. They could also be worn instead of suit jackets. This eventually changed although sweatrers with sleeves cintinued to be mostr common type. We begin to see lighter-weight sweeaters. There were also sweaters with different sleeves. Eventually sleeveless sweaters developed. We have never seen short-sleeved sweaters. We begin to see these sleeveless sweaters (early-20th century). We are not sure if they appeared in the late-1910s or early-20s. For some reason, the sleeveless sweater seems to have been mostly wirn by boys. We susoect the populsrity of th sleeveless sweaters was in opart because they were much easier to knit. Of course as home knitting declined and most sweaters were stire bought, we see this type of sweaer continuing to be popuklar. ,br>

Weight

These early sweaters tended to be heavy. Gradually we see lighter versions.

Patterns

Sweaters can also be diferentiated by oarrerns. Ski sweaters were crew neck sweaters, but dine in destinctive bold parterns. We also see argyle swaters done in different collar and sleeve patterns. Sweaters in bright patterns and colors, often called ski sweaters, became very popular.

Created: 4:23 PM 8/8/2018
Last updated: 7:59 PM 6/18/2024