Boys' Sweaters

Figure 1.--Cardigan sweaters were popular for boys in Britain and to a lesser extent America during the 1950s and 60s. They were by the 1990s, however, little worn.

A sweater is a knitted jacket or jersey worn by adults and children. The term derives from a garment originally worn by adults during exercising to induce sweating and reduce weight or for warmth. Sweaters have commonly been worn by European and American boys for several centuries. They are generally made in pullover or cardigan style, with or without sleeves. Sweaters were initially knitted from wool, but now synthetic fibers are also commonly worn.

Chronology

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 Some historical references suggest that knitted garments were being manufactured well before this time which evolved into the modern sweater.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.

Terminology

The term derives from a garment originally worn by adults during exercising to induce sweating and reduce weight or for warmth. They are also referred to as jumpers in the UK and former British colonies

Trends

Knitwear is extremely popular in the modern fashion scene. In both women's and children's fashions there has been a revolution in knitted clothes. No where is that more apparent then for sweaters. Modern design has had a major impact on the knitted sweater. Modern knits are an exciting area of modern fashion trends. The range of styles that can be purchased or hand made is constantly expanding.

Children have always worn knitted comments more commonly than adults. Past styles had children dressed from head to toe in knitted garments. Woolen sweaters would be matches with knitted trousers, shorts, or skirts. Knitted caps, gloves, and socks might complete the outfit. British royals have influenced modern knit wear as they have influenced other styles. Prince Charles as a child commonly wore knitted outfits, such as patterned sweaters with matching plain trousers or short pants. This was a popular look in the 1950s and the prince's outfits may have been some of the first to be knitted on a machine. The advancing technology of modern knitting machine has been the primary factor in the virtual explosion in availability of high-quality knitwear. Both modern and classic designs are available in a wide range of colors.

Fashion experts report a trend toward a rougher and chunkier look in knitwear. This is in essence a return to the handmade look as opposed to the plainer sweaters of a few years ago. The classic British styles, however, remain the most popular styles--the fairisles, guernseys, and arans. The British royals continue to wear these styles and they continue popular for British and American children. Children commonly wear a variety of sweater styles, grom ski-style cardigans to cable knit pullovers. An increasingly common modern trend is the picture sweaters or motif knits.

Styles

Sweaters come in several different styles:
Cardigans: The cardigan is a close fitting knitted woolen jacket which buttoned up the front like a jacket. Cardiganshire is a county in west Wales. The style is named after the seventh earl of Cardigan (1797-1868). Cardigan sweaters were popular for boys in Britain and to a lesser extent America during the 1950s and 60s. They were by the 1990s, however, little worn.
Pullover: A sweater that is put on by pulling it over one's head. There are no button or other opening.
Sleeve and sleeveless: Sweaters are made both with and without sleeves. The sleeveless style is worn like an informal vest.
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.

Figure 2.--This advertisement from a 1960s American magazine shows a boy in a crew-necked sweater. The accompanying text reads: "Deep in thoughts and surrounded by books lawyer of the future sets a fashion precedent with the newest look in boys' knits, a blue and gld Scandinavian crew-neck sweater (Hunnington Mills, $7). His short pants of lowden green corduroy (Imp Originals, $4) and white kneesocks are classic for small boys."

Cable knit: Cable knit sweaters have a rope or cable design. I have no information yet on the origins of this style, but cable knits have proven to be a popular enduring fashion.
Fairisle:
Guernseys: The authentic Guernsey sweater is still going strong after 400 years. The craft of knitting has been a continuous tradition on Guernsey in the British Channel Islands since the time of the first Queen Elizabeth, when intrepid seafarers began to venture as far as the New World and needed warm, practical and weather proof clothing to survive.
Jersey: A jersey is a close-fitted knitted woolen jacket, shirt, or sweater worn by seamen, athletes, or others.
Aran:
Picture: Picture sweaters or motif knits are generally children's sweaters knitted with pictures of animals, trains, cars, boats and other images that appeal to children. Mothers often like to brighten up a plain sweater with these images.
Ski-style:

Material

Sweaters were initially woven from wool, but now synthetic fibers are also commonly worn.