Sweaters have been around forever – since the first wife saw her chilly fisherman husband and decided to knit them a sweater to keep them warm. The first such record of this was in the 15th century in the islands of Guernsey and Jersey, two islands in the English Channel. These sweaters, called both Guernsey and Jersey depending on the area, were knit by hand from wool and could be made thicker depending on the desires of the woman doing the knitting and the man wearing it.
These sweaters soon gained worldwide attention and soon were worn by people who played sports and then mariners in other countries. It was not until they gained popularity in North America that they began to be called sweaters. There are many types of sweaters today and they are worn by all walks of people.
You can find beautiful sweaters almost anywhere including online and in brick-and-mortar stores. You can even shop the mint to find beautiful sweaters for you and your family and friends. They have a wide variety of them to choose from.
Types of Sweaters
Cardigan
The cardigan sweater has been around for at least a century and is a popular type of sweater for men and women alike. There are many types of these sweaters, but the most common is a little longer than the waist and can have either buttons, a zipper, or a belt to keep it closed. There are also cardigans that are meant to be worn open over other shirts and blouses.
The cardigan was very popular during the early twentieth century especially in colleges and dorms. They are still in fashion today and still worn by the collegiate type. They have also been paired with other clothing to make them more formal looking.
Cardigans come in styles that are longer and can reach the knees or even the ankles. This type of sweater was made famous by a commander in the Charge of the Light Brigade named James Brudenell: https://www.britannica.com/biography/James-Thomas-Brudenell-7th-Earl-of-Cardigan. He was famous for using his own funds to change the uniforms of his troops.
Pullover
The pullover sweater is exactly what it says – a sweater that you pull over your head. There are usually no buttons, zippers, or belts with which to close them. They come with a closed front and back and do not need these items. There are two distinct types of pullover sweaters – the crew neck and the V-neck. They are distinguishable because of the neck types; one is more rounded while the other is shaped more like a V.
These types of sweaters can be dressed up when worn with a collared shirt, or more casual depending on the situation. They can be worn at work, for play, or even more formal occasions with the right undershirt.
Tunic
The tunic is distinguishable by its loose cut that will hang below the waist for most people. They are longer and more loose-fitting than other sweaters. Most tunic sweaters are pullovers, but not all. Some have V-necks while others have crew necks. All are very comfortable, nice-looking sweaters. You can read more about tunics if you do a little online research. They are very interesting sweaters to learn about.
Tunics come in many materials, but most notably cotton, wool, synthetic materials. They can be worn in more formal events or casual events because of the versatility. They can be worn by men or women and come in many styles.
Turtleneck Sweaters
The turtleneck sweater is probably the most recognizable of all the sweaters. It has a long neck that rolls down over itself to make it shorter and thicker and fully covers the neck. They are usually thicker sweaters that will keep you warm in even the coldest weather. They are very stylish and can be worn in even more formal situations.
Turtleneck sweaters are fun to wear and are comfortable in many different occasions. They can be dressed up or dressed down to fit the situation.
Mock Turtleneck
A mock turtleneck is very similar looking to the turtleneck, the main difference is that the mock turtleneck has a neck that does not roll down. It just appears that way when someone wears the sweater. They are also very stylish and can worn anywhere.
Quarter-Zip
These sweaters feature a crew neck and a zipper that goes about a quarter of the way down the sweater. This zipper makes the sweater easier to get on and off. These sweaters can be made from different materials and worn as an over sweater, or dressed up a little and worn for work or even more formal events.
Boyfriend
Boyfriend sweaters are often bigger and more bulky than other sweaters and are more often worn by girls. These types of sweaters can be worn alone or layered over other clothing to be even more warm and inviting. These sweaters should look like they have stolen from your boyfriend’s closet.
Sweater Vests
This type of sweater is one without the arms to be worn over a shirt that is usually long-sleeved. They are worn at many offices and casual events where sweaters can be worn. You can also wear them with a warm sports coat once the weather becomes a little chillier. They can be casual or more formal when paired with different button-up shirts.
Sweaters can be made from many types of materials, as well. They can be expensive materials such as cashmere, wool, or cotton. They can be made in a variety of ways, too, such as machine made or hand-knitted by a friend or family member. They can be worn on any occasion and can be dressed up or be more casual and comfortable.
Sweaters can also come in just about every color imaginable, or a combination of more than one color. If you know a color, the sweater can be made in that color. They also come in stripes and patterns to fit your style even more.
