Classic men’s vintage sweaters, pullovers, cardigans, and jumpers go in and out of style every winter. Over the decades, men’s retro sweater styles have also experienced shifts in popularity with changes in fit, pattern, and colors matching the fashion of the day. Read more history of vintage sweaters or jumpers here. Popular vintage sweater patterns are Fair Isle, deer stags, argyle, stripes, geometrics and checks. The roll neck neck pullover is especially popular this year.
Shop for new men’s vintage sweaters (e.g. vintage jumpers), cardigans, and sweater vests from both USA and UK shops. They add instant vintage swagger while keeping you warm in winter.
Men’s Vintage Sweaters
Men’s Vintage Sweater Styles:
1920s Men’s Vintage Sweaters were heavy chunky cable knit sweaters, either with roll collars in pullover styles or shawl collars for button up cardigans. Colors were neutral in the early years while vivid argyle check, geometric, and Fair Isle patterns appeared in the later years. Brown with burgundy, blue with pea green, mustard yellow and green were common late ’20s colors. Both cable knit sweaters and Fair Isle pattern sweaters are back in style this year. Learn about men’s 1920s sweaters here.
1930s Men’s Vintage Sweaters were still heavy shaker knits, but with smaller crew neck pullovers and some cardigans that zipped rather than buttoned. The length also reduced to meet the high rise of pants.
1940s Men’s Vintage Sweaters slimmed down into smooth V neck knits in plain and novelty patterns such as moose, trees, squirrels, birds, and winter snowflakes. The fit was snug with thin trim and a semi-wide hip band. Pullover vests continued to be a big deal in the 1940s.
1950s Men’s Vintage Sweaters were still very slim, but now preferred a high crew neck pullover or very deep V cardigan style. Color choices exploded with baby blue, teal, red, yellow, and white coming into fashion. The shawl collar also returned in a pullover style. Novelty prints were out, but wintery Nordic patterns and Fair Isle sweaters remained trendy. Don’t forget that the Varsity or Letterman sweater ruled the schools (although the style began decades before in the 1920s).
1960s -1970s Men’s Retro Sweaters and cardigans return to a chunky home-spun texture with contrasting trim, wide stripes and elbow patches. Fuzzy mohair and cable knits were back in style. By the end of the decade, the ultra-skinny sweater with geometric designs was a part of the Mod fashion and continued into the 1970s. This is the style we see again today.
1980s Men’s Vintage Sweaters were known as the ugly sweater decade. Usually oversized with funky patterns- geometric, novelty characters, clashing colors and bizarre designs – they are trendy again if only for the laughable cool factor. Also, the Ivy look returned- white tennis sweater vests, pastels pullovers, and sweaters tied around the shoulders.