Knit/Sweater 4 Axis Men’s Cordage Ideas & History of Compelling Outfits Explained

Today, sweaters have a strong image as elegant tops, but tracing their history reveals a surprising aspect. After following the context that sweaters can be worn in a rugged and sporty manner as well as in a beautiful manner, we will introduce examples of coordination in four axes and recommended brands!

Roots of the sweaterThe exact opposite of today's elegant image! Tough history born as workwear for fishermen and adopted by the military

The origin of the sweater is believed to lie on the islands of Jersey and Guernsey in the Channel Islands, located in the English Channel. The knitting method born in the Islamic world was introduced to these islands around the 11th century, and later, the garments made to support the fishermen of the Channel Islands in their fishing work were the prototype for today’s sweaters. Incidentally, the word “Jersey,” a well-known knit material, originates from the above-mentioned Jersey Island, which suggests that the Channel Islands region was the home of knitwear (Jersey milk, a luxury brand, also originates from this island). The “Guernsey sweater,” a type of fisherman’s sweater named after Guernsey Island, has also been handed down to the present day.

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These sweaters, made for fishermen, are made of densely knitted wool that repels water and is durable and tough enough to withstand the rigors of on-board work. Their specifications were recognized, and later in the mid-19th century, they were adopted as ” Seaman’s Jersey (sailor’s jersey = wool covered knit),” the uniform of the Royal Navy. In other words, the sweater, which is recognized today as one of the most elegant items of clothing, can be traced back to its rugged roots as workwear and military wear.

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Furthermore, knitwear developed in various forms in the British countries following this trend. One of the most distinctive and continues to hold its own position today is aran knitwear. It is a rugged knitwear that retains a strong fisherman’s image, which is somewhat different from the overall image of knitwear today, so it is often worn in work jackets or with jeans and boots in a rugged coordinate, as seen in street snaps overseas. In fact, if you look at it with its roots in mind, you can see that it is not a “work jacket. In fact, if you take a look at the roots of the sweater, it may be that sweaters are more suited to rugged coordinates.

The photo shows Steve McQueen, who has a strong impression of a wild man, wearing an Aran knit. (”The Brilliant Bet” 1968).

Photo by Photofest/Afro.

Transformed from workwear to a symbol of dignity and intelligence

Now an essential part of fashion The sweater, now an essential fashion item, was introduced to the world in the 1920s by the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII), a rare fashion icon who wore a Fair Isle sweater on the golf course in 1921-22, and also wore a sweater with a Fair Isle pattern when he was photographed for a portrait shoot. The appearance of the Fair Isle sweater on the golf course and in his portraits was spread by the Illustrated London News, the first newspaper in the world to report the news with illustrations, and this promoted the sweater from workwear to ” leisure wear suitable for social occasions. The “Illustrated London News,” a newspaper that focused on reporting the world’s first news illustrations, elevated the sweater from workwear to “leisure wear appropriate for social gatherings.

Photo by Mary Evans Picture Library/Afro

Later, sweaters became recognized as a fashion item around the world and were also widely used as movie costumes. Stars who have made their mark on the silver screen have reinforced the image of the sweater as a “classy adult. Cary Grant’s light sweater in ‘ To Catch a Thief’ (1955) established the image of the urban, elegant gentleman. Sean Connery wore a burgundy V-neck in the golf scene in “007/Goldfinger” (1964), presenting a new frontier of ” ‘classy adult casual.

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Cary Grant and Grace Kelly in ”Thief of the Century” (Photo: Everett Collection/Afro)

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Sean Connery in ‘ 007: Goldfinger’ (Photo: Photofest/Afro)

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Furthermore, Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple, owns and always wears several Issey Miyake black turtleneck knits. His continuous use of black turtlenecks as his “uniform” was the decisive factor in the imprinting of the sweater as a “symbol of intelligence” in society. Although Steve Jobs was not the catalyst, turtlenecks have now established a quasi-formal wear position and have become the standard undergarment for suits and jackets.

[photo: AP/Afro

The college sweatshirt, which has always enjoyed a certain level of popularity as a standard sweatshirt sweatshirt design, traces its origins back to the “college sweater” of the 1880s. The lettered sweater with the Harvard University name and emblem was popularized by the Ivy League as a sign of an elite university and symbolized “the pride of a student who excelled academically and athletically. Former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, a Harvard alumnus, was also a fan of this collegiate sweater (the sweater that John F. Kennedy actually wore was sold at auction in 2021 for about $85,000). These are another example of an intellectual context that has created a strong association of “sweater = academic.” (Photo shows the current Harvard University lettered sweater)

news.harvard.edu

Sporty episodes used by football players for training and weight loss

We have written about the history of sweaters and the evolution of their character, but do you know where the name ” sweater ” came from in the first place? It has nothing to do with its roots in work or military, and surprisingly, it comes from a sport that has no image today. As the name “sweater” suggests, the word “sweater” is derived from the English word “sweat” (=to sweat), which was used by Ivy League football players in the late 19th century as “sweat clothes” for training and weight loss, taking advantage of knitwear’s heat-retaining properties. This is because Ivy League football players in the late 19th century used knitwear as “sweat clothes” to keep warm during workouts and weight loss. This episode also marks a sporty element in the sweater’s history.

YALE VS. PRINCETON, 1879. Ivy League football match between Princeton and Yale, 27 November 1879. engraving after a drawing by A.B. Frost from Harper’s Weekly, 1879.(Photo: GRANGER.COM/Afro)

Also, at the 1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina, Norway’s national team adopted the official team sweater created by the Dale of Norway brand. In 2026, the Winter Olympics will be held in Cortina, Italy, and Dale of Norway is producing the official team sweaters again, and the brand’s website now has a special feature page. The brand’s website now has a special feature page.

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The right knit sweater is to use different gauges and designs depending on the style you are aiming for.

If you understand the essence of sweaters in light of the history of sweaters discussed so far, you will see that they can be worn in beautiful, sporty, or rugged styles, depending on the pattern and knitting method. Sweaters come in a variety of necklines, such as crew necks, V-necks, and turtlenecks, and give different impressions depending on the thickness of the yarn and the expression of the knitted fabric. Generally speaking, expressive low-gauge knits such as cable knits are the mainstay of casual coordinates, while high-gauge knits that create an elegant impression with a modest assertiveness are suited to beautiful styling and blend easily with dresses, making them ideal as innerwear for suits, tailored jackets, and overcoats. It is also perfect as an inner layer for suits, tailored jackets, and overcoats.

Next, let’s take a look at the four directions of coordination in the snapshot, adding trend-conscious patterns to the three axes mentioned above.

Knit Sweater Cordage Direction 1Elegant axis using high-gauge knitwear and cardigans

Although we have introduced many different types, the royal road to modern sweaters is still the beautiful cordage. Of course, wearing a sweater as an inner layer of a suit or jacket, a sweater + slacks, and styling with a cardigan are also in this direction. The sweater is supposed to harmonize with such dress items, but since high-gauge knit sweaters are full of elegance on their own, the sweater is in a position to pull off a beautiful impression when worn with casual items. So, if you want to add a beautiful element to a coordinate with rough bottoms and outerwear, such as a denim style with a classy look, try arranging it with a sweater.

In this direction, knitwear brands from England, the birthplace of sweaters, such asJohn Smedley andNupir, are the most popular choices. Other leading brands are Italian-based, such asDormore andZanone. Although relying on knitwear brands is definitely the way to go, Brunello Cucinelli, which has strength in dresswear in general, also produces many fine knitwear items.

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Knit Sweater Cordage Direction 2Cable Rugged Axis, choosing knitwear or combining jeans and boots

Cable knits and coarser knits still look good in a rugged coordinate, such as wearing jeans or military pants, or with boots such as Red Wing. Cable knits are thick and warm. Cable knits are thick and warm, but they tend to be bulky.

As for brands, Inverarain, the standard for Aran knitwear, is by far the most famous and popular in Japan. Traditional fisherman’s sweaters made by brands in Ireland and Scotland are also good, but now designer brands such as Gentleman Project’s “CROWN” are also producing cable knitwear updated for the modern age, so you can choose whether you want something classic or something more modern. It is possible to choose a brand based on whether you want a classic or a modern version. Also, sweaters with Stone Island compass badges look great with rugged coordinates.

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Direction of knit sweater coordinate 3Sporty to taste depending on what you match axis

As mentioned in the official sweater of the Norwegian national team, Nordic pattern sweaters are associated with the image of winter sports, so they are easy to understand and fit into a sporty winter coordinate, but you can also wear a plain high-gauge However, if you incorporate sporty elements such as wearing a cap, active pants, or sneakers, a sweater that usually looks elegant will have a sporty taste like a sweatshirt sweatshirt.

In addition to patterned sweaters (not only Nordic patterns, but also collegiate sweaters such as Harvard sweaters have a strong sporty feel), sweaters with button details like the one worn by the man in the second snapshot in the gallery and half-zip sweaters can easily add a sporty element. However, it is difficult to create a sporty look with a sweater by itself, so try to add various flavors with other items while assembling.

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An effortless sweater with a somewhat loose feel

Finally, we pick up a current look that is not restricted by genre. Create an effortless mood with a sweater in a loose-fitting silhouette with shoulders falling down, or build an A-line with loose-fitting pants. If you want to take off the cold season, a roughly knitted see-through knit that allows the inner layer to show through is also recommended. The current trend is not for sweaters that give a stoic impression, but for sweaters that are somewhat loose.

Modern sweaters that we recommend now include modern Lemaire, which is simple but has some different elements, and Andersen Bell, which can differentiate itself with its edgy design. You should also check out Hour Legacy,Acne Studios, and Sacai.

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Check the FAQ (frequently asked questions) at the end

Q1. Are sweaters and cardigans the same thing?

In a broad sense, both belong to “knitwear,” but they are classified according to their structural differences: sweaters are pullover-type garments worn over the head, while cardigans are open-fronted.

Q2. Is a sweater rude in a business setting?

The style of wearing a high-gauge knit under a jacket has been established in Europe and the U.S. since the 1960s as “intellectual and elegant attire. The New York Times (1987) described it as “‘Sweaters are the new armor of businessmen. In Japan, sweaters are also regarded as semi-formal wear and are considered acceptable in restaurants with dress codes and in business situations.

Q3. How to incorporate sweaters into sporty outfits?A. Nordic patterned crew neck or lettered sweaters are recommended

If you want to make your sweater coordinate look sporty, we recommend choosing a crew neck or lettered sweater with a Nordic pattern. Choose a white or monotone color scheme and pair it with sneakers and active slacks for a clean, athletic look.

Q5. What should I pay attention to when caring for my sweater?A. Hand wash with a mild detergent or dry clean, not machine wash

Materials such as wool and cashmere are sensitive to friction and heat, so they should be hand-washed with a mild detergent or cleaned instead of machine-washed. When hanging on hangers, the shoulders will lose their shape and stretch, so when drying them, hang them flat to prevent stretching. When storing, fold the garments instead of hanging them on hangers.