Sweater vest

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Man wearing a striped sweater vest (1974) Tanktop2.jpg
Man wearing a striped sweater vest (1974)
Rick Santorum wearing a sweater vest (2012) Rick Santorum by Gage Skidmore 3.jpg
Rick Santorum wearing a sweater vest (2012)

A sweater vest (known as a tank top, sleeveless sweater, slipover, or sleeveless pullover in the UK) 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 the 21st century. [2]

Contents

Styles

Cable knit sweater vest typically worn by cricketers Jamesregan.jpg
Cable knit sweater vest typically worn by cricketers

One of the most common patterns on a sweater vest is argyle. Many newer designs feature a return to popular patterns from past eras. Other variations include designs of a more modern nature, including stripes. Some of the most common of neckline shapes are the V-neck [3] and the crew neck, which is similar to a common T-shirt neckline.

Other styles include button front, as favored by the likes of comedian Bill Murray.[ citation needed ] These are sometimes called a "sleeveless cardigan."

As athletic wear

A sweater vest, white flannel pants, and collared shirt are standard wear for professional cricketers in the UK, Australia, India and South Africa. The cable knit vests often have a contrasting red, blue, or green stripe around the neckline. Before shorts and polo shirts were introduced in the 1930s, tennis players wore a similar outfit.

In the early 20th century, golfers often wore an argyle pattern tank top with their brogues, flat caps and plus fours. This was a more comfortable and practical alternative to the Norfolk jacket made out of tweed cloth previously worn for outdoor pursuits, as the sleeveless nature of the tank top allowed free movement of the arms in swinging a golf club.

Fashion

Sweater vests are popular among sports fans, particularly those who play golf. [4] Those with sports team logos, especially NFL and college teams, are also popular and are frequently worn by American football coaches, most notably Jim Tressel, who has been given the nickname "The Sweater Vest" by fans [5] despite the garment's origins at rival Michigan Wolverines. [6]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jumper (dress)</span> Sleeveless, collarless dress worn over a blouse, shirt or sweater

A jumper, jumper dress, or pinafore dress is a sleeveless, collarless dress intended to be worn over a blouse, shirt, T-shirt or sweater. Hemlines can be of different lengths and the type of collar and whether or not there is pleating are also variables in the design.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">T-shirt</span> Style of inexpensive fabric shirt

A T-shirt is a style of fabric shirt named after the T shape of its body and sleeves. Traditionally, it has short sleeves and a round neckline, known as a crew neck, which lacks a collar. T-shirts are generally made of stretchy, light, and inexpensive fabric and are easy to clean. The T-shirt evolved from undergarments used in the 19th century and, in the mid-20th century, transitioned from undergarments to general-use casual clothing.

<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">Cardigan (sweater)</span> Type of knitted garment with an open front

A cardigan is a type of knitted sweater that has an open front, and is worn like a jacket.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shirt</span> Garment for the upper body

A shirt is a cloth garment for the upper body.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waistcoat</span> Sleeveless upper-body garment

A waistcoat or vest is a sleeveless upper-body garment. It is usually worn over a dress shirt and necktie and below a coat as a part of most men's formal wear. It is also sported as the third piece in the traditional three-piece male suit. Any given waistcoat can be simple or ornate, or for leisure or luxury. Historically, the waistcoat can be worn either in the place of, or underneath, a larger coat, dependent upon the weather, wearer, and setting.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blouse</span> Garment for the upper body

A blouse is a loose-fitting upper garment that may be worn by workmen, peasants, artists, women, and children. It is typically gathered at the waist or hips so that it hangs loosely ("blouses") over the wearer's body. Today, the word most commonly refers to a girl's or woman's dress shirt, although there is considerable confusion between a true blouse and a women's shirt. It can also refer to a man's shirt if it is a loose-fitting style, though it rarely is. Traditionally, the term has been used to refer to a shirt which blouses out or has an unmistakably feminine appearance, although even many "standard" shirts today have a somewhat blousy fit, and the numbers of men wearing such shirts may match that of women wearing actual blouses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jacket</span> Clothing for the upper body

A jacket is a garment for the upper body, usually extending below the hips. A jacket typically has sleeves and fastens in the front or slightly on the side. A jacket is generally lighter, tighter-fitting, and less insulating than a coat, which is outerwear. Some jackets are fashionable, while others serve as protective clothing. Jackets without sleeves are vests.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Polo neck</span> Garment with a close-fitting collar that folds over and covers the neck

A polo neck, roll-neck, turtleneck, or skivvy is a garment—usually a sweater—with a close-fitting collar that folds over and covers the neck. It can also refer to the type of neckline, the style of collar itself, or be used as an adjective.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Polo shirt</span> Type of shirt

A polo shirt, tennis shirt, golf shirt, or chukker shirt is a form of shirt with a collar. Polo shirts are usually short sleeved but can be long; they were used by polo players originally in India in 1859 and in Great Britain during the 1920s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Undershirt</span> Underwear for the upper body

An undershirt in American English, is an article of underwear worn underneath a dress shirt so as to protect it from body sweat and odors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1980s in fashion</span> Costume and fashion in the 1980s

Fashion of the 1980s was characterized by a rejection of 1970s fashion. Punk fashion began as a reaction against both the hippie movement of the past decades and the materialist values of the current decade. The first half of the decade was relatively tame in comparison to the second half, which was when apparel became very bright and vivid in appearance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Serbian traditional clothing</span>

Serbian traditional clothing, also called as Serbian national costume or Serbian dress, refers to the traditional clothing worn by Serbs living in Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and the extended Serbian diaspora communities in Austria, Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, North Macedonia, Romania, Russia, Slovenia, United States, etc. Like any traditional dress of a nation or culture, it has been lost to the advent of urbanization, industrialization, and the growing market of international clothing trends. The wide range of regional folk costumes show influence from historical Austrian, Hungarian, German, Italian, and Ottoman Turkish presence. Nonetheless, the costumes are still a pinnacle part of Serbian folk culture. From the 19th century and onwards, Serbs have adopted western-styled clothing. This change has started in larger settlements such as cities and towns, although it was not uncommon to see rural women in traditional working costumes all the way until the end of 1970s. Today, these national costumes are only worn by some elderly in rural areas but are most often worn with connection to special events and celebrations, mostly at ethnic festivals, religious and national holidays, weddings, tourist attractions, and by dancing groups who dance the traditional Serbian kolo, or circle dance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2000s in fashion</span> Fashion in the decade 2000–2009

The fashion of the 2000s is often described as a global mash up, where trends saw the fusion of vintage styles, global and ethnic clothing, as well as the fashions of numerous music-based subcultures. Hip-hop fashion generally was the most popular among young people of both sexes, followed by the retro-inspired indie look later in the decade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neckline</span> Shape or style of a garment at the neck especially from the front view

The neckline is the top edge of a garment that surrounds the neck, especially from the front view. Neckline also refers to the overall line between all the layers of clothing and the neck and shoulders of a person, ignoring the unseen undergarments.

Sweater design is a specialization of fashion design in which knitted sweaters are designed to fulfill certain aesthetic, functional and commercial criteria. The designer typically considers factors such as the insulating power of the sweater ; the fashion of its colors, patterns, silhouette and style lines, particularly the neckline and waistline; the convenience and practicality of its cut; and in commercial design, the cost of its production and the profitability of its price point. Sweater designs are often published in books and knitting magazines. Sweater design is an old art, but continues to attract new designers such as Nicky Epstein and Meg Swansen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1945–1960 in Western fashion</span> Costume and fashion in the post-war years 1945-1960

Fashion in the years following World War II is characterized by the resurgence of haute couture after the austerity of the war years. Square shoulders and short skirts were replaced by the soft femininity of Christian Dior's "New Look" silhouette, with its sweeping longer skirts, fitted waist, and rounded shoulders, which in turn gave way to an unfitted, structural look in the later 1950s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cheerleading uniform</span> A type of clothing worn by cheerleaders

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. Early cheerleading outfits had pants or long dresses, but as cheerleading stunts became more complex, cheerleader uniforms have adapted to allow better range of motion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Traditional clothing of Kosovo</span>

Traditional clothing is one of the factors that has differentiated this nation from neighboring countries, dating back as far as the Illyrian era.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volhynian folk costume</span> Traditional clothing of the Ukrainian Volyn

Volhynian folk costume is a type of Ukrainian national clothing worn in Volhynia. The costume includes Polesia influences such as colourful ochipoks, fitted corset-like waistcoats and striped skirts, as well as Dnieper Ukraine: namitka headscarfs, kersetka vests and dark skirts.

References

  1. Lomrantz Lester, Tracey (2012-01-04). "Rick Santorum's Sweater Vest Has Its Own Twitter (& Just May Help His Bid For The White House)". Glamour . Archived from the original on 2017-02-28. Retrieved 2017-02-27.
  2. Strawn, Susan M. (2011). Knitting America: A Glorious Heritage from Warm Socks to High Art. St. Paul, MN: Voyageur Press. p. 184. ISBN   978-0-7603-4011-0.
  3. Carr, Toni (2008). Knockdown Knits: 30 Projects from the Roller Derby Track. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. p. 54. ISBN   9780470388655.
  4. Uhlenbrock, Doug (May 1999). "Dressed to the Tee". Cincinnati Magazine . Vol. 32, no. 8. p. 160. ISSN   0746-8210. Archived from the original on 2023-12-14. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
  5. Weber, Jim (2010-10-14). "Behind the sweater vest: Jim Tressel, mundane or mod?". Yahoo! Sports . Archived from the original on 2017-02-28. Retrieved 2017-02-27.
  6. Felsenthal, Julia (2012-02-10). "Go Vest, Young Man". Slate Magazine. Archived from the original on 2017-02-17. Retrieved 2017-02-27.