https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/quick-question-for-the-americans-and-candians Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 03 May 2026 12:39:46 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/quick-question-for-the-americans-and-candians/page/2#post-266675 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 17:16:14 +0000 Lisa 266675@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am with others that I generalize all sweaters with one word and will often call a cardigan a sweater. Hearing jumper throws me off sometimes, it's taken a while to realize that is a pullover sweater. But it's also taken me a while to understand the difference between knits and wovens. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/quick-question-for-the-americans-and-candians/page/2#post-266565 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 14:08:00 +0000 Polly (thunalata) 266565@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Joining you in the corner but suspect you've eaten all the goodies now.</p> <p>Slightly relieved in some ways that there's so much confusion out there and it's not just me! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/quick-question-for-the-americans-and-candians/page/2#post-266556 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 13:02:38 +0000 londonkiwi (now back in NZ) 266556@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So you're not bringing your cozzie then? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/quick-question-for-the-americans-and-candians/page/2#post-266549 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 11:51:36 +0000 puffenstuff 266549@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Phew what an interesting read. Fi dont you mean Thongs and Bathers??!</p> <p>I'll join the girls in the corner for Milo and Tim Tam's and I wont confuse anyone further I'll just say that Aussies have different terminologies for the same things in different states. Perhaps this is a topic for another blog post </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/quick-question-for-the-americans-and-candians/page/2#post-266543 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 11:21:01 +0000 April 266543@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just to add to the confusion... there are also cardigans that are not sweaters, i.e., that are made of a stretchy, tee-shirt-y fabric, or fleece. Per Angie's terminology, those would be knits but not "knitwear," and per American terminology, those would be cardigans but not sweaters. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/quick-question-for-the-americans-and-candians/page/2#post-266509 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 08:12:04 +0000 londonkiwi (now back in NZ) 266509@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Seriously, this post made me hungry. Thanks for the milo and timtam cravings!</p> <p>As a New Zealander, my confusions would come with the use of Jumper to mean Pinafore. </p> <p>Knitwear to me means something made of wool or a wool mix. Sweater would be a thick cotton fabric and I would instantly think of gear (but I know what it means in the American sense). I wouldn't instantly think it would cover cardigans though. </p> <p>Pull over - anything that goes over the head in American English that I would call a jersey, although again I would tend to use the word Jersey to cover items made of wool or wool mix rather than a cotton or cotton blend, for which I would probably use the term "top".</p> <p>Right, I'm off to get my jandals, togs and since it is cold my skivvy... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/quick-question-for-the-americans-and-candians/page/2#post-266483 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 07:11:44 +0000 MsMary 266483@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I call all of it "sweaters." Cardigan sweater, crewneck sweater, turtleneck sweater, V-neck sweater, etc.</p> <p>As far as the blog post, you can call it whatever you like as long as you define your terms. You may want to continue using the terms you are most comfortable with, but in each and every post you do something like this:</p> <p>"It's winter and time to bring out the knitwear (my term for what many of you know as sweaters). Today I wore a lovely jumper (another term for a sweater for you Yanks) with a cardigan on top. Tomorrow I plan to break out my denim pinafore (what you Americans would call a jumper -- wow, this is complicated!) and take it for a spin."</p> <p>It may seem a little cumbersome but I think you would get used to it and I really think it's the clearest way to deal with it. If you don't like the parentheses, will your blogging software do footnotes? Or maybe do links to a glossary? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/quick-question-for-the-americans-and-candians/page/2#post-266440 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 05:43:21 +0000 Mamapicklejuice 266440@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Coincidentally, I was just searching for pullovers on ON and Anthropologie today, and was happy to find the sweater category broken down into cardigans and pullovers.</p> <p>I cop to watching a fair amount of British sitcoms as a child, but I can assure you, it's a fairly common term here, outside of public television. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/quick-question-for-the-americans-and-candians/page/2#post-266427 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 04:42:13 +0000 catgirl 266427@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm always confused by the term "knitwear". I call both cardigans and pullovers "sweaters", if they are sweater material. I consider a knit fabric to be like the Caslon long-sleeve shirt Angie recommended (i.e. not a woven). If it's wool or a fine merino or a knitted cotton or cashmere, it's a sweater. So to me it depends on what it's made of. And no idea where jersey fits in. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/quick-question-for-the-americans-and-candians/page/2#post-266425 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 04:34:34 +0000 Maya 266425@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I distinguish between knits and knitwear, FWIW.</p> <p>Or I distinguish between knit and knitTED. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/quick-question-for-the-americans-and-candians/page/2#post-266422 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 04:32:56 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 266422@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The thing about "knitwear" is that when you started using the term, I assumed you also meant regular knits - jersey tops and such. That's why I prefer the term sweaters. </p> <p>I agree that whatever you choose, an explanatory post is a good idea, especially since each group of us has our own history and expectations of wording. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/quick-question-for-the-americans-and-candians/page/2#post-266415 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 04:21:32 +0000 Angie 266415@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oooh! Michelle, that sounds delish. I've just make banana bread with virtually rotten bananas and it's come out well. You'll have to wrestle Greg for it though. </p> <p>Theresa, confessions are fab. Hope you enjoyed those caramel Tim Tams. </p> <p>Bless you MPJ!</p> <p>Kari, Yup. South Africans refer to jumpers (sweaters) as Jerseys. Although Greg does not. </p> <p>Clearly I need to try Tim Tams. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/quick-question-for-the-americans-and-candians/page/2#post-266404 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 03:45:18 +0000 Maya 266404@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have never known any American who uses the term "pullover," MPJ. I know what it means from watching British sitcoms and hearing people from the Commonwealth countries speak :p But it isn't something I hear or use in my daily interactions.</p> <p>Theresa, I went to Target and cleared the entire remaining stock of Tim Tams (it came to about $40). I have one package left. That was maybe 3 weeks ago? I rest my case. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/quick-question-for-the-americans-and-candians/page/2#post-266403 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 03:44:14 +0000 Kari 266403@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>And just to add to the confusion - I had a South African friend in high school who complimented me on my "jersey", which to her meant my sweater (V-neck pullover), but to me means the shirt part of a soccer uniform. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/quick-question-for-the-americans-and-candians/page/2#post-266402 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 03:40:57 +0000 Mamapicklejuice 266402@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Huh? We don't have a distinct word for 'pullover'? Isn't it...pullover? (Is there any room on the slow student bench, Kari?)</p> <p>Pullover - sweater with neck opening<br /> Cardigan - sweater with front opening</p> <p>Pullover, cardigan, sweaters, knitwear are all terms I grew up with, but I hear "jumper" all the time now as my daughter's bf is British. hee. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/quick-question-for-the-americans-and-candians/page/2#post-266401 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 03:37:32 +0000 Theresa 266401@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>LOL Maya sure can!!</p> <p>Is it bad to confess that I bought a packet of Caramel centered Tim Tams yesterday and have eaten the whole packet already? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/quick-question-for-the-americans-and-candians/page/2#post-266399 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 03:36:06 +0000 Maya 266399@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Theresa, you better bring some Tim Tams and some nice hot Milo to drink through them! I'll bring the cake for Team Buttercream.</p> <p>Now I am hungry </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/quick-question-for-the-americans-and-candians/page/2#post-266397 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 03:34:08 +0000 Theresa 266397@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sure I can Angie!!</p> <p>I think your "polo neck" being what I call a turtleneck, is about the only thing I've not been 100% sure of! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/quick-question-for-the-americans-and-candians/page/2#post-266386 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 03:11:21 +0000 Angie 266386@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That makes sense, Theresa. Written Australian English is similar to British English. Can you bring the Ovaltine? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/quick-question-for-the-americans-and-candians/page/2#post-266384 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 03:10:45 +0000 Michelle 266384@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's a sizy corner, and I just made a batch of raspberry thumbprint cookies, so c'mon in! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/quick-question-for-the-americans-and-candians#post-266381 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 03:08:12 +0000 Theresa 266381@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well just to add to the confusion, here in Aus, Angie if you used your own terminology I would know EXACTLY what you are on about!!</p> <p>So I think I'll come sit in the corner with you girls! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/quick-question-for-the-americans-and-candians#post-266380 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 03:07:05 +0000 Kari 266380@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The more the merrier! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/quick-question-for-the-americans-and-candians#post-266378 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 03:02:15 +0000 Angie 266378@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Can I join you in the corner, Kari and Michelle? I'll bring chocolate cake. </p> <p>Kim, quite right. If you look on British retail sites, you'll see that knitwear is the category for sweaters. </p> <p>Not to worry! I will try to please all. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/quick-question-for-the-americans-and-candians#post-266375 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 02:58:24 +0000 Kari 266375@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's not so bad in the corner, Michelle. I have tea and pie to share. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/quick-question-for-the-americans-and-candians#post-266364 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 02:44:50 +0000 Queen Mum 266364@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>True Angie.. I was just thinking that in most every retailers website, the title for their category of "knitwear" is commonly "sweaters" Of course, these are American sites that I am referring to. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/quick-question-for-the-americans-and-candians#post-266352 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 02:38:42 +0000 Michelle 266352@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie, it's your site, so you can use whatever term you want!!! But I do like Maya's proposal, since I was another one who had never heard the term knitwear prior to reading YLF. *joins Kari in the corner*<br /> You have a post that covers some of this ground already, and it helped me to at least somewhat understand your frame of reference...Perhaps you can use this link too?<br /> <a href="http://youlookfab.com/2009/08/18/a-pinafore-is-a-jumper-is-a-sweater-is-a-long-sleeve-t/" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/2009/08/.....-sleeve-t/</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/quick-question-for-the-americans-and-candians#post-266342 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 02:27:57 +0000 Angie 266342@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, Kari. You made me laugh.</p> <p>Good idea, Maya. I think that the post that I'm writing will open up a can of worms. Then I'll write a follow up blog post. Sorted! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/quick-question-for-the-americans-and-candians#post-266340 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 02:26:13 +0000 Mellllls 266340@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>i agree with maya! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/quick-question-for-the-americans-and-candians#post-266339 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 02:23:58 +0000 Maya 266339@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think you simply need to write a post on the term knitwear, and then link back to it whenever you use it like you do in all of your blog posts :)</p> <p>At least until the glossary goes up! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/quick-question-for-the-americans-and-candians#post-266338 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 02:23:43 +0000 Kari 266338@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm actually still rather confused on what is considered "knitwear" vs. a plain old "knit." Slow student over here, sorry! </p>