Even though they’ve only been worn as fashion since the 1920s, it’s history goes was back to the wives of fishermen and sailors from natural wool, which by retaining its oil, protected against the cold even when damp.
The sweatshirt was then invented by Benjamin Russel in 1926 as an idea for an all-cotton practice football jersey. Since then, it’s taken many styles and been used by designers to make statements that go beyond the need for warmth and comfort.
Throughout the 1920s and '30s, sweaters – also known as jumpers – grew in popularity. This more relaxed attitude to dressing was cemented when the sweater made its first appearance in American Vogue in 1927. By the early 1930s, sweaters were in such demand that Vogue launched the spin-off The Vogue Knitting Bible (later Vogue Knitting).
The sweater could also be worn as an anti-mainstream statement. The black polo-neck sweater, for example, was closely associated with the beatniks of the 1950s and '60s and with musicians such as The Beatles. It was subsequently picked up by fashion designers, including Pierre Cardin, André Courrèges and more.
Today, it’s a staple in our wardrobes, used across all genres of fashion. Becoming popular since luxury fashion houses including Prada, Gucci and Dior included them in their AW20 collections. Since then, they've appeared in various iterations: cut in oversized silhouettes, splashed with bold pattern, with high necks; with low. These new iterations are more modern, contemporary and simple cooler than they were in the past.
The Sweater is generally known as a winter item, but over the past couple of weeks, there have been more than a few A-list examples of them being put to work in the heat — and actually working.
From A$AP Rocky and Rihanna’s first proper public outing (ASAP wore a purple Raf Simons sweater vest Rocky wore sleeveless), to Travis Scott's and Kim Jones collaborative Dior collection (there were various sweater vests for summer down the runway) and the new videos from Tyler's Call Me If You Get Lost album.
Mostly worn sleeves with fewer layers and under the sun, the sweater vest feels less formal and far less stuffy. There are brands like Bode making lightweight, crochet options that are begging to let them help you show some skin.
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