Cable Knit Sweater Originating from the Aran Islands, a small cluster of islands off the west coast of Ireland, cable knit sweaters were created for fishermen in the late 1890s to keep them warm and dry while on the boats. The original cable knit sweaters were called ‘guernsey jumpers’, which then evolved into the ‘Aran jumper’ as they became more popular in local fashion. Just before WWII in the 1930s, the cable knit sweater style migrated to mainland Ireland where it gained even further popularity. In 1958, the famous knitter Elizabeth Zimmerman created the first Aran-inspired cable knit sweater to be featured in a US magazine – Vogue. This propelled the cable knit sweater in mainstream popularity and remains a winter wardrobe staple to this day. How to Style a Cable Knit Sweater Due to the elaborate patterns and designs found on a cable knit sweater, they can be easily paired with chinos and jeans over a t-shirt for a smart-casual look. While they can be comfortably worn over a long sleeve shirt as well, a V-neck sweater is typically better suited for this. For added warmth, a casual jacket or coat can be worn over it too. Shawl Neck Sweater Featuring a distinctive collar, shawl neck sweaters are a classic winter style. The origin of the shawl neck sweater is an often-debated topic. Some believe that shawl neck sweater was originally designed for Lieutenant General James Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan, who requested a sweater be made so as not to mess up his hair when he put it on. Others also believe that the shawl neck sweater is the evolution of Victorian smoking jackets from the 1850s. How to Style a Shawl Neck Sweater Shawl neck sweaters offer a nice balance between smart and casual. They can be worn with a t-shirt underneath and jeans, or over a collared shirt with a pair of comfortable chinos. Due to their collar, shawl neck sweaters don’t typically work as well when jackets or coats are worn over them. The shawl neck is a great option when looking for something suitable for off-duty outfitting and smart casual occasions. Crew Neck Sweater Developed for the US Navy in 1913, crew neck t-shirts were designed to be worn under a sailor’s uniform to provide warmth while covering their chest hairs. Later in 1920, football player Benjamin Russell Jr was on the hunt for a more comfortable sweater for his team. His father, Russell Snr created the first crew neck sweater for his team by designing a sweater in the style of a crew neck t-shirt. After seeing it on the field, fans also began wearing them and by the 1950s, it had become a classic men’s style icon. How to Style a Crew Neck Sweater Arguably the most popular knitwear style, the crew neck sweater has a rounded neck that sits well with any layer. This type of sweater is extremely versatile, allowing them to be comfortably worn over a business shirt for the office, or worn over a t-shirt for more casual occasions. They look especially smart when paired with chinos and layered under a sports jacket. Available in an array of colours the crew neck is the perfect go-to when needing an easy extra layer. V-Neck Sweater A V-neck is a perfect knitwear layer for when you want to smarten up your outfit. While it is sometimes worn with a t-shirt underneath, V-neck sweaters work best with collared shirts due to their neckline. For a comfortable, smart casual look, wear a V-neck sweater over a long sleeve shirt, which can be then paired with chinos and a sports jacket for a polished look. Available in multiple colours, the V-neck sweater is a great option for smart work attire and is a common sight in most workplaces. How to Style a V-Neck Sweater While it is sometimes worn with a t-shirt underneath, V-neck sweaters work best with collared shirts due to their neckline. For a comfortable, smart casual look, wear a V-neck sweater over a long sleeve shirt, which can be then paired with chinos and a sports jacket for a polished look. Button Neck Sweater Combining the convenience of a cardigan with the warmth of a sweater, button neck sweaters are a modern style introduced in recent years. While they don’t have a rich history compared to other types of sweaters, they are still a contemporary take on a classic design. How to Style a Button Neck Sweater Seen as a more casual version of a V-neck sweater, button neck sweaters are perfect for smart-casual occasions. They can be worn over a t-shirt with jeans for a comfortable, neat look, or over a business shirt with chinos for an office-friendly outfit. Half-Zip Sweater The concept for a zip neck was originally used in the 1930s on fleece sportswear. This allowed wearers to open the neck when they got warm and close it when they were cold. The idea was that people wouldn’t need as many layers when exercising since they could change the neckline. Many years later in the 1970s, the zip neck idea was used on a sweater for the first time. Although the designs and fabrics in half-zip sweaters may have evolved, the convenience of the zip remains the same. How to Style a Half-Zip Sweater Like their button neck brother, a half-zip sweater is also seen as a more casual version of a V-neck sweater. They feature a high collar that can be worn zipped up or down depending on your layer underneath, giving you flexibility with your outfitting. Our half-zip sweaters offer comfortable smart-casual styling when worn over a shirt. For added warmth, wear a casual jacket over the top with a pair of jeans or chinos. Fisherman Sweater Historically, this style of knitwear was born from fisherman’s needing a durable layer to keep them protected from the elements. A great mix of utility and style this textured knit is great for casual or smart outfitting. How Should Your Knitwear Fit? The hem of your knitwear should fall just below your waistband The seam on the shoulder should sit on to of where your shoulder bone ends Your sleeves should cover your whole wrist On your body, the knit should fit comfortably with a little bit of room but not too much that the material starts to roll off Types of Knitwear Fabrics Lambswool: Being the first coat that is shorn from a lamb, usually at around 7 months of age, lambswool is extra soft and fine. The high-quality wool provides great insulation while remaining breathable. Merino Wool: A fine and extremely soft grade of wool that comes from the merino sheep. Thanks to its warm properties, Merino wool knitwear provide great insulation and are exceptional for when you are out and about in the cold. Wool: Warm breathable and naturally elastic, wool fibres naturally absorb large amounts of moisture, making it a great fibre for the cooler months Cotton knitwear: Cotton knitwear has a flexible drape that makes it a great throw-on-and-go option. Along with wool, cotton has hypoallergic and moisture-wicking properties. Cotton knitwear is an easy, casual layer suitable for all year round Discover our full collection of men’s knitwear and sweaters at GAZMAN now.