SWEATERS DEFINED THE FASHION SPACE FROM 1910- 1940
Men’s sweater vest, knitted waistcoat, sleeveless jumper and sleeveless sweater are some of the alternate names floating for pullover and button down style cardigans minus sleeves. They were a regular in men’s casual and semi-casual wardrobe, especially in the beginning of 1910s and found extensive use in the next three decades. Classic menswear or vintage style was always characterized by a knitted sweater vest. But the question had remained what men’s vintage style sweater vest was worth a try?
1910s Men’s Sweater Vests:
In the 1910 men’s Sweater Vest types mostly included knitwear such as pullover seaters and cardigans. Sleeveless sweaters were not that popular and people found an alternative in leather vest or woven wool for warmth, comfort and durability. The later Edwardian period of the 1910s ensured that menswear retailers were beginning to popularize knitwear among sportswear (casual clothing) for the elite class. This modelled the way knitwear found its route into new styles that featured a mix of formalwear (suits) with the comfort level of knits (workwear).
Moving into the early 1930s, men’s sweaters continued to attract onlookers. This era saw the rise in the popularity of straight front edge replacing V points (a common workhorse vest shape). A point to note here is that the V neckline is quite small and very high, intersecting the edges of the shirt collar and revealing only the knot of the necktie. Featuring a short waisted style, it overlapped with the high waisted trousers. There were some new stich patterns in sight including small squared checks and thin vertical rows. Both slipover with a waist ribbed waistband and V-neck as well as button down cardigan style vests featured monotonous colors – grey, navy blue, khaki and brown.
1930s Sweater Vests:
The 1930s proved to be different with fun sweater vest pattern ditched (with the exception of fair isle). Plain colors staged a comeback. The on carry over style featured the Waistcoat vest now made of either full wool cloth or jersey cloth. The shift of style from the 1910s was perceivable with 6 buttons, 4 pockets and coordinating edging. It proved to be a classic all throughout the decade with men’s suit and casual outfit.
1940s Sweater Vests
The 1940s carried the tradition of fair isle, cable knit and smooth knit sweater vest style but returned to feature a V neckline. Still short having a wide waistband, they lengthened a bit, and the shoulder reverted to full coverage. The cable knit sweater vest proved to be the trendy texture in the 1940s effusing a dashing look under a sportscoat teamed up with a plain white shirt and colored tie. The raised bottom hem appeared as if it were folded up once to produce a much smaller waistband. Other textures included the drop needle (paneled), gridiron and shaker, in addition to smooth knits.
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