Two ways to wear a knitted tank top (sweater vest)
Photo: Claire Pepper for a recent Seasalt Cornwall collaboration
Americans call it a sweater vest, but growing up, in the north of England, in the 1970s, I’ve always referred to this wonderful, sleeveless garment as a tank top. Often described as the decade that style forgot, this much-maligned era was a time when some of my favourite fashion items were born: the pull-on-and- go jumpsuit, the elegant kaftan, the versatile tank top, the khaki utility jacket – do I need to go on?
The sleeveless knit is a multi-talented addition to any wardrobe and makes the most excellent layering piece. I’ve been wearing one non-stop over the last few weeks, dressed up and down. Perfect over a Breton top or striped, cotton jersey roll- neck and slouchy cords. Team a tank top with indigo or faded jeans and a denim shirt for a nod to modern-day Celine. Or keep things classic by styling yours over a crisp cotton shirt, pulling out the collar and shirt tails to add interest.
Photo: Claire Pepper
For evening, try a tank top over a statement blouse, wide-leg trousers and heeled ankle boots. I’m quite partial to blending different fabrics and textures, and will often ‘Mitford’ things up with the addition of an embellished or patterned fabric, velvet, tweed and a pair of shiny shoes. The sleeveless-ness is one of the best things about the sweater vest; simply slip one on under a statement jacket or decorative coat without the usual struggle.
It is a superb way to keep warm without the bulk, as knitwear designer Jo Gordon points out, ‘It’s important to keep the core of your body warm. If your core is warm, the rest of your body feels warm and the wool tank is the perfect garment at this time of year. In Japan they wear a Haramaki, in the UK we wear tank tops.’ Gordon is a long-term, tank top lover and currently developing a new range to be made in Scotland and launched next year.
Time to get tanked up:
STYLE NOTES
The first outfit is from a recent collaboration with Seasalt Cornwall. A couple of readers asked for details (this is the outfit I’m wearing under the statement coat), so here you go: Sailor Top, East View Vest and Asphodel Trousers in rich olive. See my autumn knitwear edit over on the Seasalt blog HERE.
Second outfit: the knitted marl tank top is from Toast (this season). Jumbo cord trousers from Brora (this season). Leopard print blouse is Mother of Pearl from a previous John Lewis collaboration. And my old velvet ankle boots.
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Discussion (26 Comments)
Julie Seddon says:
I’d love a Fair Isle v-neck tank top but the prices are eye-watering! I’ve not seen any under £100 and most are £100-£150.
Hi Julie, there is one at Seasalt, I think it’s about £70 (I noticed it when I was putting the edit together).
Thank you Alyson, I’ll have a look. I did try the v-neck navy cable tank with a white sparkle trim from Boden which was lovely and reasonably priced but the armholes were too big and gaped. One day…
Jane says:
If you are London based Portobello market has some great fairisle vintage tanks and all pretty reasonably priced
June Girvin says:
I knit mine. Plain and fair isle. They’re fairly quick and if you can do knit and purl you can do a plain tank. There are lots of patterns at the moment.
Lorna Park says:
Yes, and you can get buy online patterns from Etsy which give you links to youtube videos for any tricky bits.
Jill Hunter says:
Julie
I bought 2 tank tops in white and purple in the summer from La Redoute , perfect for British weather and well under £100 and now have purchased one from COS, again under £100.
In the Seventies, I thought they were ghastly, especially on men, but now …wowJill
Patrish says:
I love these also. I have several and am always looking for more. If your core is warm….that’s the truth. Great post.
I’ve been cutting the sleeves off my zip-up sweatshirts for decades . With a t-shirt underneath, I can layer comfortably and still be warm while working around the house.Lynne says:
We Americans just call them “sweater vests” without the “knitted” because “sweater” implies “knitted.”
Steele says:
This just gave me the perfect solution for what to wear with my recently purchased corduroy wide-leg trousers. The trousers are already “big” so I don’t need any more bulk. I’ll stick to a fine knit vest over a tailored shirt. Thanks for the tip!
Catherine Annis says:
I knitted a purple striped one when I was about 10 in the depths of the 70s and wore it with my flared jumbo cords. Felt on top of the world! I love the toast one – the price is too eye watering for me, but it’s inspired me to begin knitting again. Back to the 70s all over again! Thanks for the memories
Sara says:
Just love your reference to the seventies as the decade that style forgot, Alyson. I’ve said it for years and it made me smile. Despite the description, I guess that there are some styles that can be resurrected, even if we’ll do well to jettison most. Unfortunately the tank top doesn’t work for me as it’s always my arms that get cold and I still get visions of the Bay City Rollers……. Am I allowed to say they weren’t among the most musically or stylistically memorable? However, to quote another seventies old rocker, you wear it well, especially with the leopard print blouse.
Thanks Sara. Oh blimey, I was a Bay City Rollers fan, back in the early 70s (I was young). Shang-a-Lang!
Margaret Longden says:
The only garment I have ever regretted parting with is a “sweater vest” I knitted in the eighties – intricate cabling in a fine red wool, a lot of work. It livened up many an outfit and a welcome extra layer but I thought the trend had passed. It would certainly be very useful today and I don’t have the patience any more. I would love a Fair Isle one in autumn shades …..
Karen says:
I have started collecting these in the past couple of years, and I love the way they “make” an outfit. I’m American, so I refer to them as “sweater vests.” In America, a “tank top” is a summer garment of cotton jersey worn without an under layer. I’ve been seeing “fashionistas” wear them alone though. The most affordable options are second hand. I have bought several on Etsy, and your local charity shops are a good bet, too.
Mrs Tonia says:
Takes me back to ones I wore in 70s. My favourite was a v-necked tank top from
A special shop in Covent Garden called Scottish Metchant in natural shapes of Shetland wool in fair isle. I’m still very partial to fair isle for scarves, gloves, hats just not in tank form.
I agree with Alyson about the wearability of cord trousers with a looser leg for autumn and winter. Have got a stock of these going forwards. Warmth plus style. Best tank I’ve spotted on Cos website. High necked, square shape, abstract patterned knit. Lovely garment in principle. Worn with white shirt with hemline hanging out which seems a new approach which Toast styling video also shows.Allison says:
I love knitted vests/tanks and have a few of my preferred chunky round neck style but I wish they’d come in more interesting colours than the usual navy/taupe/black. I did find a lovely pink one at Busby and Fox and Genevieve Sweeney has lovely colours too. I tried the berry one from Toast but it had a strange yellow thread running through it so sent it back.
Eve McBride says:
Great to see the return of the tank top!
What a pity that Seasalt make so few of their clothes in the UK. Fairisle from China is a no-no for me, and those lovely trousers are made elsewhere too.Cindy says:
Hi Eve,
I agree with you about clothing not made in the country you live in. I ‘m in Canada, and I have been gradually replacing my MADE IN INDIA clothing with MADE IN CANADA, along with supporting local and women owned businesses.
Nicola says:
Great way to upcycle much loved cashmere jumper that’s arms have seen better days and you’re not into patched elbows – cut off arms make good and you have a one of a kind tank top. Cashmere being more forgiving being cut than other wools!
I second those who are taking out their knitting needles. Knitting is good for your mental health. It allows you to express yourself and indulge your creativity. And at the end, you have a garment that fits you, in more ways than one.
Linda coyle 
Elizabeth 
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I love these….me and em do a great variation with detach polo.
In the 60s there was a suit style that incorporated a fabric version, referred to as an over blouse….I made one to put with a pair of trousers I made in same fabric…perfect for office where aa sweater is too bulky and warm