So I am thinking "sweaters" as I sit here in my Uggs, American Apparel leggings and vintage “Ski-Vail” wind-cheater. (“Cheating the Wind” - sounds like a line from a John Denver song...suitably wintery). Aside from the itchiness that sometimes ensues from pure wool, a sweater is the ultimate “comfort” fashion item.
I have fond memories of a Kookai jumper picked up in Covent Garden, London, in 1994. It was quite collegiate looking – raspberry red with a diamond pattern and deep v-neck. I remember walking home one evening from my waitressing job at the Famous 3 Kings pub, past the kebab shop (which was rumoured to have been frequented by Simon Lebon) to my share flat with the red door and soggy floors and I just felt on top of the world. I was poor but full of hope.
Although my wardrobe was sparse one of my roommates commented that I was one of the best-dressed backpackers she’d ever met! In conjunction with my sweater I also purchased black wool pants and a blazer from Kookai (remember it was quite très chic in the mid nineties!). I would pair this with a Versace-style patterned silk scarf from a northern Italian street stall tied at my neck. It all sounds pretty diabolical now but I felt quite smart at the time catching the tube to Saville Rowe where I worked as a receptionist for a modelling agency. I spent most of the day measuring people's height and showing them the door. The owner occasionally called me a “miserable little trollop” as I bounded up the stairs each morning. (I’ve since checked the definition of “trollop” and can confirm that I was neither vulgar nor disreputable!).
I'll sign off with a favourite photo of Marilyn Monroe in her Mexican sweater taken by George Barris in 1962 on Santa Monica Beach.
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| image from http://missingmarilyn.tumblr.com/ |
In contrast, the beautiful Daria Werbowy modeled a modern take on this for the Stefanel Fall 2010 campaign, shot by Mario Testino:
More sweater love is on the way - I'm thinking Jenny Kee eighties knits and Lisa Bonet buffalo girl style cardigans!
