Jersey (clothing)

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A traditional knit jersey Jersey (AM 2005.58.3).jpg
A traditional knit jersey

Traditionally, a jersey is an item of knitted clothing, generally made of wool or cotton, with sleeves, worn as a pullover, as it does not open at the front, unlike a cardigan. It is usually close-fitting and machine knitted in contrast to a guernsey that is more often hand knit with a thicker yarn. The word is usually used interchangeably with sweater. [1]

Contents

Alternatively, the shirt worn by members of a sports team as part of the team uniform is also referred to as a jersey.

Etymology

Jersey, in the Channel Islands, was famous for its knitting trade in medieval times, and because of that original fame, the name "jersey" is still applied to many forms of knitted fabric, which transferred to the garments made from the fabric.

In sports

A modern summer, tight-fitting cycling jersey. WTOS Delft cycling jersey (cropped).jpg
A modern summer, tight-fitting cycling jersey.

A sports jersey is a shirt worn by members of a team to identify their affiliation with the team. Jerseys identify their wearers' names and/or numbers, generally showing the colors and logo of the team. Numbers are frequently used to identify players, since uniforms give players a similar appearance.

A jersey may also include the logo of the team's sponsor.

Examples

A cycling jersey is a specialised jersey designed to be used in road cycling. Cycling jerseys are usually made of synthetic microfiber material to aid in wicking sweat away from the skin to allow it to evaporate. Specific colours or patterns represent certain statuses in these races, such as the yellow jersey of the leader of the general classification in the Tour de France, or the rainbow jersey for the world champion.

The main garment of an ice hockey uniform, which was traditionally called a sweater, is increasingly known as a hockey jersey. Basketball jerseys are usually sleeveless. Baseball jerseys are usually button up.

In Australian rules football, the player's shirt is known as a "guernsey". [2] [3]

Other examples are the third jersey, hockey jersey, basketball uniform, baseball uniform and gridiron football uniform.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sweater</span> Piece of clothing made out of knit or crocheted material

A sweater or pullover, also called a jersey or jumper, is a piece of clothing, typically with long sleeves, made of knitted or crocheted material that covers the upper part of the body. When sleeveless, the garment is often called a slipover, tank top, or sweater vest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Third jersey</span> Jersey worn as an alternative to a home uniform or an away uniform during games

A third jersey, alternative jersey, third kit, third sweater or alternative uniform is a jersey or uniform that a sports team can wear instead of its home outfit or its away outfit during games, often when the colors of two competing teams' other uniforms are too similar to contrast easily.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hockey jersey</span>

A hockey sweater or jersey is a piece of clothing worn by ice hockey, ringette, broomball, and spongee players to cover the upper part of their bodies. These jerseys are occasionally worn by North American bandy players as well as some rinkball players in Finland. This article deals chiefly with jerseys worn by ice hockey players.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aran jumper</span> Irish cabled pullover or cardigan sweater

The Aran jumper is a style of jumper that takes its name from the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland. A traditional Aran Jumper usually is off-white in colour, with cable patterns on the body and sleeves. Originally the jumpers were knitted using unscoured wool that retained its natural oils (lanolin) which made the garments water-resistant and meant they remained wearable even when wet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guernsey (clothing)</span> Knitten woollen sweater worn by seamen

A guernsey, or gansey, is a seaman's knitted woollen sweater, similar to a jersey, which originated in the Channel Island of the same name, sometimes known as a knit-frock in Cornwall, especially Polperro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Throwback uniform</span> Sports uniform which mimics an older uniform of the team

Throwback uniforms, throwback jerseys, retro kits or heritage guernseys are sports uniforms styled to resemble the uniforms that a team wore in the past. One-time or limited-time retro uniforms are sometimes produced to be worn by teams in games, on special occasions such as anniversaries of significant events.

Mitchell & Ness Nostalgia Co. is an American sports-related clothing company located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The company was established in 1904 as a sports equipment manufacturer, remaining as the oldest sporting company in Philadelphia. After several years of making baseball and American football uniforms, the company switched direction in 1983, when it decided to recreate vintage jerseys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Number (sports)</span> Number worn on a sports players uniform

In team sports, the number, often referred to as the uniform number, squad number, jersey number, shirt number, sweater number, or similar is the number worn on a player's uniform, to identify and distinguish each player from others wearing the same or similar uniforms. The number is typically displayed on the rear of the jersey, often accompanied by the surname. Sometimes it is also displayed on the front and/or sleeves, or on the player's shorts or headgear. It is used to identify the player to officials, other players, official scorers, and spectators; in some sports, it is also indicative of the player's position.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kit (association football)</span> Equipment and attire worn by players

In association football, kit is the standard equipment and attire worn by players. The sport's rules specify the minimum kit which a player must use, and also prohibit the use of anything that is dangerous to either the player or another participant. Individual competitions may stipulate further restrictions, such as regulating the size of logos displayed on shirts and stating that, in the event of a match between teams with identical or similar colours, the away team must change to different coloured attire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Knitted fabric</span> Textile material made using knitting techniques, often by machine knitting

Knitted fabric is a textile that results from knitting, the process of inter-looping of yarns or inter-meshing of loops. Its properties are distinct from woven fabric in that it is more flexible and can be more readily constructed into smaller pieces, making it ideal for socks and hats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sportswear</span> Equipment and attire for physical activity

Sportswear or activewear is athletic clothing, including footwear, worn for sports activity or physical exercise. Sport-specific clothing is worn for most sports and physical exercise, for practical, comfort or safety reasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hockey sock</span> Sportswear

Hockey socks are ankle-to-thigh garments worn over protective gear by ice hockey players. They are form-fitting, and traditionally made of a cotton or synthetic rib-knit fabric.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Retired number</span> Honor in team sports

Retiring the number of an athlete is an honor a team bestows upon a player, usually after the player has left the team, retires from the sport, or dies, by taking the number formerly worn on his or her uniform out of circulation. Once a number is retired, no future player from the team may wear it, unless the original player permits it; however, in many cases the number cannot be used at all. Such an honor may also be bestowed on players who had highly memorable careers, died prematurely under tragic circumstances, or have had their promising careers ended by serious injury. Some sports that retire team numbers include baseball, cricket, ice hockey, basketball, American football, and association football. Retired jerseys are often referred to as "hanging from the rafters" as they are, literally, put to hang in the team's home venue.

A cheerleading uniform is a standardized outfit worn by cheerleaders during games and other events. These uniforms typically include the official colors and mascots of the school or team and are designed to make the wearer appear physically attractive.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NHL uniform</span> Ice hockey uniform worn in NHL

Players in the National Hockey League wear equipment which allows their team affiliation to be easily identified, unifying the image of the team. An NHL uniform consists of a hockey jersey, hockey pants, socks, gloves, and a helmet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sweater vest</span> Sleeveless knit pullover

A sweater vest is an item of knitwear that is similar to a sweater, but without sleeves, usually with a low-cut neckline. They were popular in the 20th century, particularly in the 1970s in the UK, and are again growing in popularity in this century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jersey (fabric)</span> Plain knit fabric

Jersey is a knit fabric used predominantly for clothing manufacture. It was originally made of wool, but is now made of wool, cotton and synthetic fibers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Away colours</span> Choice of coloured clothing used in team sports

Away colours or road colours are a choice of coloured clothing used in team sports. They are required to be worn by one team during a game between teams that would otherwise wear the same colours as each other, or similar colours. This change prevents confusion for officials, players, and spectators. In most sports, it is the visiting or road team that must change.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guernsey (Australian rules football)</span> Type of shirt worn by Australian rules football players

A guernsey is a type of shirt worn by Australian rules footballers. It is typically sleeveless, although long sleeves may also be worn. The word "jumper" is also used to describe a guernsey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Name (sports)</span> Name worn on a sports uniform

In sport, particularly team sports, the player name, often referred to as the uniform name, squad name, jersey name, shirt name is the name worn on a player's uniform.

References

  1. Kane, C.D.; Patil, U.J.; Sudhakar, P. (1 August 2007). "Studies on the Influence of Knit Structure and Stitch Length on Ring and Compact Yarn Single Jersey Fabric Properties". Textile Research Journal. 77 (8): 572–582. doi:10.1177/0040517507078023. S2CID   138629386.
  2. Shinn, W.E. (1 March 1955). "An Engineering Approach to Jersey Fabric Construction". Textile Research Journal. 25 (3): 270–277. doi:10.1177/004051755502500314. S2CID   137398059.
  3. Shishoo, Roshan (29 August 2005). Textiles in Sport. Elsevier. ISBN   9781845690885 via Google Books.