What’s not to love about the cocoon-like quality of a cuddly sweater? Offering protection from the cool temperatures of Spring and Fall, a sweater is a friend – a perfect companion to reading a book by a fireplace on a rainy day, or a way to stave off those chilly winds without being encumbered by a bulky coat.
 
Sweaters were certainly an integral part of 50s fashion (even when recreated on 70s television) One such ardent supporter was Laverne De Fazio, who was never without her beloved sweaters, each adorned with a big “L.” Sweaters kept numerous teen girls and their companions warm on a cool evening spent in the backseat of Dad’s Cadillac and soon became a necessity in every girl’s wardrobe. And once such sexy stars as Rita Heyworth embraced the fashion, whose tight fit earned them the seductive title of “sweater girls” their popularity skyrocketed.

With the economic prosperity of the 50s, a number of expensive fabrics were introduced such as angora and cashmere, which offered the blanketing soft comfort of a womb. One of the biggest manufacturers of the era was Pringle, who carried a complete line of cashmere cardigans and sweaters that were embraced by young hormonal teenagers everywhere. And for those seeking something a tad more affordable, newly invented fibers like Orlon acrylic offered a similar supple feel of other their more expensive counterparts and were much easier to clean and care for.

The types of sweaters available were almost endless. You had your sweater vests, V-necks, cardigans, twin sets, Letterman’s, pullovers in everything from wool, angora, cotton and cashmere, to Ban-lon, Orlon and acrylic. Available in a never-ending selection of colors and patterns, there was a sweater out there for everyone’s particular taste. Noted fashion designer Coco Chanel introduced the enormously popular twinset in the 50s, which combined a cardigan with a matching pullover. Another popular accessory was the sweater clip, which allowed the garment to stay put when flung over the shoulder.

And throughout all of the decades that have followed, from the 60s beatniks and their “sloppy joes,” to the 70s and the stifling turtlenecks, to the preppy look that would grace future decades, sweaters have remained popular with both sexes over the years, offering comfort to those who seek their warm companionship whenever there is a chill in the air.