Regardless of whether you think the twinset — a knitted shell and matching cardigan — is fashionable or frumpy, it is an iconic style that is 90 years old this year!
For my generation, the twinset entered our style consciousness in the early 2000s when J. Crew debuted the style in a splash of bright colors and stripes. When my mom saw me looking at the sweaters in my J. Crew catalog, she commented how the style was popular back in the early 60s. She even brought out an old (ie, vintage) sweater that was tucked away in a neglected suitcase — a beautiful cashmere cardigan with beaded trim that was fully lined (weird to see a sweater fully lined). While there wasn’t a matching shell, and the sweater wasn’t wearable anymore, it was still amazing to see the quality of the construction and details.
The twinset was first developed in 1934 by Otto Weisz, knitwear designer for Pringle of Scotland. At the time, the design house was renowned for its fine cashmere and woolen underwear. Weisz’ innovation was to apply the company’s fine underwear knits in a new way — as figure-flattering outerwear for women.
Pringle twinset from the 1930s. Image from here.
The look’s popularity grew in the 1950s when Hollywood stars like Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn were photographed wearing cashmere twinsets with pearls and scarves. Feminine, elegant, and versatile, the style was so popular that it was frequently featured in fashion magazines. They were generally knitted in cashmere or wool, had a slim fit, and were made in solid colors. Variations included embroidery, beading, and lace applique.
Pringle twinset from the 1950s. Image from here.
Sweater Sets as Modern Style
Since its peak, the twinset’s popularity has waxed and waned over the years, but it remains a timeless look. These days, the term “sweater set” is sometimes used instead of “twinset” but the idea is the same.
Below is a classic cashmere set that is styled to give a modern vibe.
Image from here.
I love sets that match but have unexpected shapes. Below, the knitted pattern is the same in both pieces but the shell is replaced by a cropped cami and the round-necked cardi is replaced by a ballerina tie top.
Image from here.
Patterns like the bold buffalo check below — and especially its pairing with the skirt — make the look fresh.
Image from here.
Mixing a knit shell with a knit jacket is not quite like the original but the concept is there. I love the mix-and-match stripes in this set!
Image from here.
Knitting a Classic
For hand-knitters, a classic twinset is a great project because it features straightforward shaping and two basic stitches — stockinette and rib stitch. There are a ton of vintage patterns from the 1940s and 1950s, but Woolfolk Yarns has just introduced a new hand-knit pattern — The Pringle Twinset — that features a wonderful cashmere-like yarn called Tynd.
Image from here.
I’m working on this project so stay tuned to see my version of the Woolfolk Pringle Twinset!
Featured image of J. Crew twinsets from a 2003 catalog from here
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