Figure 1.--Pullover sweaters come in many styles, including crewnecks, V-necks, turttle necks and others. |
A sweater is a knitted jacket or jersey worn by adults and children. I believe the first sweaters were pullovers, but this is just a suposition on my part at this time.
I am not sure just when sweaters first appeared. I do not remember seeing then in paintings or photographs until the late 19th Century. This may reflect, however, the greater availability of photographic images in the late 19th Century. Some historical references suggest that knitted garments were being manufctured well before this time which evolved into the modern sweater. Warm wool garments were being knitted in
the Channel Island during the 17th Century which seafarers found to
be of great utility, These garments may have been the origins of the
modern sweater and I believe they were originally pullovers..
The term derives from a garment originally worn by adults during erercising to
induce sweating and reduce weight or for warmth. They are also referred to as
jumpers in the UK and former British colonies
V-neck: Some pullover sweaters are made with a "V" front. These are generally
designed to be worn with ties, the "V" allowing the ties to be seen. Most school
sweaters are "V" neck.
Crew neck: A crew neck sweater is one where the neck opening is tight against
the neck. I'm not sure what the derivation of the term was. Perhaps it was worn by
boat or rowing crews.
Turtle neck: A turtle neck sweater is one with extra material at the neck
extending the sweater to cover the entire neck area.
Ski-style:
Navigate related Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site sweater pages pages:
[Return to the Main sweater page]
[Cable knit]
[Cardigans]
[Jersey]
[Pull-over]
[Turtle-neck]
[V-neck]
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