The choice of reproduction vintage knitwear spans pullovers, cardigans, jumpers, and sweaters. Whether a thick sweater is your preference or you lean towards a versatile cardigan conducive to layering, there is plenty of vintage style sweaters available now.
Knitwear is the perfect solution to keep cozy and warm during the cooler seasons of the year. When favoring a vintage inspired look, sourcing appropriate attire for cold temperatures can pose a challenge. However, this need not be the case. While it may be relatively straightforward to opt for a vintage inspired look during summer months in which a simple dress may suffice, winter also offers many options.
Create a vintage inspired look with this cardigan from Top Vintage.
Knitwear, sweaters, and jumpers started to become popular attire from the late 1800s. During this time, sweaters would be worn for sporting activities due to their ease of movement and breathability. For both genders — women especially — the popularity of sporting activities greatly increased the styles of clothing deemed both appropriate and fashionable. Examples of women’s sweaters from the 1890s include this wool sportswear sweater from the Met Museum and this wool sweater included in the Fashioning the New Woman: 1890-1925 exhibition by the DAR Foundation.
Both sweaters reflect the fashionable silhouette of the period – the broad gigot sleeves, high neck, and fitted shaped waist.
1882 a “Jersey” was tight fitting wool sweater
While styles of knitwear may have changed since the late nineteenth century, the function of these garments remains the same. Wool fibers help to retain heat, yet as a natural fiber they also enable breathability.
Read the history of sweaters from the 1900s-1930s or 1940s to 1960s.
Vintage Sweater (1933)
Many fibers and materials are used today in vintage reproduction sweaters. For ultimate warmth, a high content of wool is advised. However, man-made fibers can also prove both warm, versatile, and more affordable.
Short Sleeve Vintage Style Sweaters, Cardigans
1953-54 Sweater Tops
Many of the most popular sweater and jumper styles of the 1930s and 1940s were short sleeved. This allowed the wearer to have the option to wear the jumper on its own, layered over a long sleeved blouse, or beneath a cardigan. During the 1950s twinsets were especially popular. A twinset consisted of a short sleeved (or sleeveless) sweater that was designed to be worn with a matching cardigan, made of the same material and color.
1957 Glitter Twinset Sweaters
Short sleeve sweaters create a very vintage look
There are many vintage style sweaters, cardigans and jumpers available today to choose from. To emulate a 1930s look, try teaming a short sleeved sweater with a calf length skirt. Wear the sweater over the skirt waistband, defining the waist with a belt worn over the two.
Vintage Inspired Cardigans
1928 Women’s Cardigan Sweaters
Due to their versatile nature, cardigans have been a popular item of clothing throughout the twentieth century. As evidenced previously through the sportswear sweaters of the 1890s, cardigans also adhered to the fashionable silhouette of the time in which they were produced. During the 1920s, cardigans were worn long and loose, complementing the low waistlines of the period. The 1930s saw cardigans begin to gain more shaping, and by the end of the decade the hemline had risen to the natural waist.
Choose from these vintage style cardigans for a perfect winter style.
The 1940s and 1950s were perhaps the most popular decades for cardigans. This was due to the expansion of mass produced knits and the popularity of home knitting.
1950’s Cardigans
For classic 1950s style cardigans, opt for a cropped length reaching the natural waist. Look out for patterns and embellishments such as beading and embroidery.
Long Sleeve Sweaters
1920s Pullover Sweater with Belt
For days when the weather is especially cold, a long sleeved sweater is a welcome wardrobe addition. In order to create a vintage inspired look, think about the decade or style you want to emulate. During the 1920s, sweaters were still very much influenced by sports and leisurewear. The neckline may be a deep V, with the hemline reaching below the hips. During the 1930s, clothing reflected the change in the fashionable silhouette. The waist was defined, while the hips were narrow. Jumpers and sweaters would be worn over skirt waistbands, with a belt to draw attention to the waist.
During the 1940s, shoulder pads were utilized not only in blouses or jackets; but also knitwear. This reflected the strong, almost triangular silhouette popular during the decade. Sweaters would be worn either tucked in or out of waistbands. Sleeve heads may feature gathers. These gathers further enhanced the shoulders, creating a boxy silhouette.
1940s bow sweater with extra room in the sleeves
Like to knit sweaters? Join these groups to discuss or buy and sell vintage sweater patterns.
Reproduction Vintage Knitwear – Patterns and Prints
Prints, motifs and patterns have been used in knitwear for decades. In the 1920s, Schiaparelli designed her now famous trompe-l’oeil bow sweater. In the early 1930s, she also designed this fabulous masculine inspired sweater, owned by the Met Museum.
Add a splash of color with the beautiful embroidered flowers on this cardigan from Top Vintage.
From stripes, to Fair Isle, to motifs – the scope for patterns in knitwear is vast. Patterns may be incorporated into knitwear through more than just the weave of the knit itself. Surface decoration may also create visual interest and patterns, such as embroidery and embellishments. The beaded cardigan was especially popular in the 1950s.
Shop Vintage Style Sweaters
Debbie Sessions has been teaching fashion history and helping people dress for vintage themed events since 2009. She has turned a hobby into VintageDancer.com with hundreds of well researched articles and hand picked links to vintage inspired clothing online. She aims to make dressing accurately (or not) an affordable option for all. Oh, and she dances too.
