Evolution of Sweaters
Sweaters have been used for so many different aspects of culture, fashion, comfort, and necessity throughout history. As we wallow in all things fall, it is incredible to understand how this warm piece of clothing has changed and evolved over the course of time. We enjoy sweaters for their cozy look and feel in our modern world, but sweaters have been a big part of cultural and societal changes and point us to history that dates all the way back to the mid-13th century.
Muslim knitters who were employed by Spanish royal families, were the ones who made the first sweaters. These sweaters were made out of natural wool, and they protected against the cold weather. It wasn’t yet called a sweater though, just a “knitted garment.” In the 19th century, fishermen would wear sweaters when they were out in the sea. The rains and winds were sometimes too brutal to handle, and they trusted that these garments would keep them warm and protect their bodies from the cold.
As time passed, sweaters became more popular throughout Europe, and were actually worn by more men than women. In the 1930s, movie stars began to wear a lot of the V-neck sweaters, putting emphasis on high class value, wealth, and fame. Athletes in the United States adopted these “knitted garments” as their post-game attire in the 1980s, and they called it the sweater. Finally, our comfort shirt had a name. Military uniforms have included soft and breathable sweaters as well, specifically during World War ll. Sweaters have been used in so many different seasons and events throughout history.
Fast forward to today’s fashion, as sweaters are still playing a huge role in seasonal trends, comfort clothing, and are attributed to weather changes and personal preference. Designer sweaters such as TOTEME and Nordstrom Rack, remind us of the strong and beautiful quality of our beloved sweater. Other name brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Gucci, Versace and so many others, sell sweaters because people still love to include them in their wardrobe today. In December of 2021, celebrities such as Kathy Hilton and Candace Cameron Bure shared some of their favorite sweaters with the world. Bure stated, "The best time to wear a striped sweater is….all the time!” She’s right! Sweaters can be for any occasion or event. Patterns, solids, colors, and textures, can all be worn year round and to your own liking.
Sweaters are being worn by people in all walks of life. Whether someone with less money is buying it through fast fashion websites, or someone of wealth is purchasing an expensive name brand sweater- sweaters are being purchased and worn all over the world. Sometimes people wear them to make a fashion statement, and other times it is worn simply to stay comfortable. One amazing aspect of fashion is the ability to recognize a well designed article of clothing. This is something that is strong, comfortable, and can be worn by anyone of any shape and size. As the human race has evolved, so has the sweater! It will continue to progress and change in its form just as we do.
Strike Out.
Writer: Jade Pierce
Blog Editor: Sarah Singleton
Sources and Image Credit:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/sweater
https://www.lanecrawford.com/discover/a-history-of-the-knitted-sweater-99000119-20201111/shop/
https://colhays.com/blogs/history-journal/history-of-the-fishermans-cable-sweater
