Question about guernsey (or any old style) sweaters

[mushjoon]

Hi, I'll keep it brief.

Why do guernsey sweaters (or ganseys based on where you're from) usually have droopy, drop-shoulders, instead of having sleeves starting from your shoulder blades? I've been searching through the internet to find some old photos with fishermen wearing these sweaters but most of them have drop-shoulders or loose fit instead of you know, the perfect fit.

Is there any technical or functional advantage to it? Or is there some deeper reason for it that's too unfathomable for people like me who simply want to wear a sweater that fits me?

 

[Grayland]

Generally, those sweaters fit fairly trim although the shoulders do go down quite a bit. It is a sweater traditionally worn by fisherman, so it needs to have a little room in it to move around. I have one. I'm 5'9 and I just find the sweater too long in the body. If it were 3-4 inches shorter in length, it would look great IMO.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I Think the reason Guernseys are long in the body is to keep you lower back warm, especially when they were used as a working fisherman's garment and the man was moving around alot. Most Guernseys have a "Vent" on each side of the waist. I have a traditional Navy Blue Guernsey from that Island which is superb. There are a couple of quite large threads on this forum about Guernseys.

 

[gavtatu]

coming from jersey, i am compelled to say our sweaters are better than guernsey's.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

coming from jersey, i am compelled to say our sweaters are better than guernsey's.

I suppose the word Jerseys is known world wide as it is one of the many words for a pullover and also many forms of sporting clothing, football, Rugby etc. (Is there also a separate Jersey Jersey, like there is a Guernsey or Aran sweater which were originally fishermen's Pullovers with their individual designs?.)

 

[gavtatu]

I suppose the word Jerseys is known world wide as it is one of the many words for a pullover and also many forms of sporting clothing, football, Rugby etc. (Is there also a separate Jersey Jersey, like there is a Guernsey or Aran sweater which were originally fishermen's Pullovers with their individual designs?.)

indeed yes, we have our own 'jerseys'. its what kept the fisherman busy, knitting on those long winter nights.

 

[Ticklishchap]

coming from jersey, i am compelled to say our sweaters are better than guernsey's.

Have you any examples of your sweaters - Jersey jerseys, so to speak.
The only Channel Island wool sweaters I have worn have been Guernseys, of which I have many. I had my first when I was about 9 years old I think!

 

[Ticklishchap]

I suppose the word Jerseys is known world wide as it is one of the many words for a pullover and also many forms of sporting clothing, football, Rugby etc. (Is there also a separate Jersey Jersey, like there is a Guernsey or Aran sweater which were originally fishermen's Pullovers with their individual designs?.)

I believe that the term Guernsey is used in Australia for a football or Rugger shirt, which we (in the UK) would often call a football or Rugger Jersey!

 

[Ticklishchap]

I Think the reason Guernseys are long in the body is to keep you lower back warm, especially when they were used as a working fisherman's garment and the man was moving around alot. Most Guernseys have a "Vent" on each side of the waist. I have a traditional Navy Blue Guernsey from that Island which is superb. There are a couple of quite large threads on this forum about Guernseys.

The vents are one of the best features. I also like the length of the Guernsey. It means that I am effectively sitting on the hem when I wear it and am at my desk.