Fair Isle Jumpers With Kilts?

**Lime** · 27th February 13, 03:12 PM

Very smart! I have the same McRostie sporran!

Then, Sir, you have excellent taste!

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 28th February 13, 05:31 AM

I have to say that I have never heard this type of garment referred to as a "tank top." That term is always used to describe a t-shirt weight garment. Others have already corrected the "wife beater" association, so thank you for that.

Here in the US these are commonly called sweater vests, and in the UK I have always heard them called sleeveless pullovers. Admittedly I do not live in the UK, but in all my visits there, and in all my dealings with associates there (including in the knitwear industry) I have never detected any hint of derision towards sleeveless pullovers. To the best of my memory I have seen them worn by men in the UK with about the same frequency as I see them worn here in the US. In fact, during my last visit to Scotland last May I wore a solid black one just about every day and no one batted an eye.

I don't know how often they are worn with a kilt in the Highlands, but it's not entirely new or novel. Here's a photo from the 1950s of two teens at a mill, and the young lad is wearing a sleeveless pullover (with a bit of Fair Isle work along the bottom, it seems!).

In any case, it is well to remember that when it comes to Fair Isle, just as in tartan, there is a wide variety of pattern and color to be had. Some of these patterns will look fantastic with a tartan kilt. Others will look garish.

Some sweaters will have the Fair Isle work all over, as in the one I am wearing here:

Or you may have just a single band of Fair Isle, as in the one I am wearing here (also hand knit by my wife).

So I don't think it's possible to judge all Fair Isle equally. Just like tartans, you might love some patterns and loathe others, and that's fine. There is plenty of room for individual taste and preference.

**tundramanq** · 28th February 13, 06:00 AM

Matt, I prefer the last picture here. My v-neck sweater vests are also usually worn over collared long sleeve shirts. They are great for spring and fall at keeping your core temperature warm and allowing you to dump excess body heat with your arms in a thin shirt in the warmer afternoons.
I prefer solid darker colors with a minimum of designs, in muted colors, with the kilts. Too many of the bright and busy designs confuse my eyes when mixed with tartans. Many outright clash.

Have to add that the diagonal tartan vests do the same M.C.Eisher number on me when mixed with a tartan kilt - matching or not.
I do have astigmatism - ?

**creagdhubh** · 28th February 13, 06:05 AM

Originally Posted by Lime

Then, Sir, you have excellent taste!

As do you, mate. I love your outfit shown above. All of the patterns work rather well together and the colour scheme is delightful. All you require is a pint or a dram in hand, and you'll be set (maybe you actually do have a dram in hand, but we just can't see it!)! Well done.

Slainte,

**Lime** · 28th February 13, 06:31 AM

I have to say that I have never heard this type of garment referred to as a "tank top." That term is always used to describe a t-shirt weight garment. Others have already corrected the "wife beater" association, so thank you for that.

Here in the US these are commonly called sweater vests, and in the UK I have always heard them called sleeveless pullovers

I've never heard it called a "sweater vest" but I've only managed to visit the US once. I've frequently heard them called "tank-tops" and "slip-overs". I hadn't thought of "sleeveless pullover" but it makes sense!

**Lime** · 28th February 13, 06:34 AM

As do you, mate. I love your outfit shown above. All of the patterns work rather well together and the colour scheme is delightful. All you require is a pint or a dram in hand, and you'll be set (maybe you actually do have a dram in hand, but we just can't see it!)! Well done.

Slainte,

Very kind of you to say so; thank you very much.

A pint or a dram is never too far away from my hand but I will bear it in mind as this season's must have accessory!

**Jock Scot** · 28th February 13, 06:35 AM

"Sleeveless pullover" would be what I and I think many of my generation in the UK would call them.

**tundramanq** · 28th February 13, 07:12 AM

I have been recently shopping online using Google for slim fit "v-neck, knit, sleeveless tops" and have seen them called many things worldwide.
Knit vests, waistcoats, sweaters, pullovers, muscle shirts, jerseys, athletic tops, school boy vests, cardigans and dandy vests.
The oddest terms are from the orient. They seem confused about the difference between button up and pullover as well as sleeved or not there.

**Lime** · 28th February 13, 07:14 AM

"Sleeveless pullover" would be what I and I think many of my generation in the UK would call them.

I'm not sure it is generational; I've heard several people of all ages refer to them as "slip-overs". I think "sleeveless pullover" or "sleeveless jumper" is probably slightly more polite and, thinking about it, if I were to go into a shop where I didn't know the staff and was asking whether they carried any in stock I would probably use the longer form.