Information about the first sweaters dates back to the 10th – 15th centuries AD. During the Renaissance, this clothing was a woolen or knitted jacket with long sleeves and small slits on the sides.
The sweater, which is more or less similar to the modern one, was created at the beginning of the 19th century in Europe and was considered clothing for weight loss. Knitted from wool and with a massive neckline, it was so warm that doctors recommended doing active sports in it to lose weight.
The name “sweater” itself comes from the English “to sweat”, which means “to sweat”.
The next people to use this wardrobe item were sailors. Warm clothing that does not require wearing a scarf was very popular among transport ship workers. Especially for them, ship tailors sewed sweaters from raw animal wool, which greatly increased the waterproofness of the threads.
The primary models were monochrome black or blue, there was no talk of patterns or ornaments. However, a few years later, these clothes began to be sewn in national colors and using the heraldry of a certain country.
At the beginning of the 20th century, this wardrobe element began to be actively used among winter sports athletes. Skiers and skaters wore coarse knit sweaters and practically did not freeze. In addition, having appreciated all the advantages of this clothing, military personnel also began to use it in their equipment. Pilots and sailors, most susceptible to the vagaries of nature, wore warm sweaters not only on duty, but also in everyday life, which made them popular among ordinary residents.
In the 30s of the last century, the first sewing schools appeared - this made it possible to carry out the mass production of woolen sweaters with a neck.
The women's version of the sweater, called a jumper, was presented by Coco Chanel, who often uses elements of men's wardrobe in her collections. The ladies' sweater model had no neck and was somewhat shorter than the men's counterpart. The outstanding designer was the first to wear a jumper with a skirt and cardigan. Many world celebrities followed Coco Chanel's example. Thus, the American actress and pop diva Marilyn Monroe was one of the first to wear a cropped sweater with jeans.
There is evidence that the sweater was Ernest Hemingway's favorite clothing. In 1957, the writer’s fourth wife invited a photographer to visit to photograph her husband. For the photo shoot, the legendary author chose a coarse knit sweater. When asked by photographer Yusuf Karsh why the writer made such a choice, Hemingway replied that it was this element of his wardrobe that gave him masculinity and courage.
The peak of popularity of woolen sweaters occurred in the 80s of the last century. Most people were able to buy a sewing machine and sew clothes at home.At that time, this accessory was one of the most popular and sought-after wardrobe items in the world.
Modern sweaters have undergone several modernizations. In their collections, designers use wool, textiles, cashmere and viscose. A fitted knitted sweater is a classic, that is, a basic wardrobe item.
However, the grunge style gave humanity baggy models and short sleeves. Today, the trend is oversized and hypersized items, reminiscent of clothes for giants. Colors, prints, unusual accessories and an abundance of other unique solutions create a unique image for men and women.