Men's Short Hairstyles
Men's Mid-length Hairstyles
Men's Long Hairstyles
Men's Curly Hairstyles
Men's Black & Afro Hairstyles
Celebrity Hairstyles
Introduction
As we officially move into the autumn/winter season, one trend that was pushed during the fashion week previews for AW12 is a bit of a fashion oxymoron: the use of cropped sleeves in men’s knitwear. Obviously this is a bit of a sartorial contradiction, as when the chunky knitwear comes out for the colder months, the thought of short sleeves is relegated to the milder spring/summer season.
However unexpected and contradictory, this trend has been championed by high fashion designers and the fashion press alike, and the key to making it work, without risking frostbite of the forearms, is creative use of layering.
The Cropped Sleeves Trend
The biggest proponents of the cropped-sleeve knitwear trend at the AW12 Fashion Weeks were Calvin Klein Collection and Dolce & Gabbana.
The Calvin Klein Collection featured a series of round-neck, knitted jumpers with cropped sleeves paired with button-down white shirts and worn over thin, cotton long-sleeved pullovers – creating a successful layered effect.
Although the range of looks showcased at Calvin Klein followed a near identical formula, there was a wide selection of knits: from a black fleck-knit jumper to a waffle-knit version in pale grey to a beige/black check-pattern jumper. The overarching feel of each outfit proved to be fairly similar, but the variety in pattern and colour helped differentiated each look and provided some individuality, all the while hammering home the emphasis on creative layering:
The collection from Dolce & Gabbana, in terms of cropped sleeve knitwear, proved to be slightly more dynamic and contained garments/looks which were much more varied.
At the more casual end of the spectrum, there was a clear inspiration from the notion of the fisherman and hardy, outdoor work. The collection featured a chunky, waffle-knit, round-neck jumper in black with cropped sleeves, which was paired with a grey fleck flat cap and trousers. The difference here was there was no use of layering – the cropped-sleeve jumper was featured in isolation, demonstrating that this type of knitwear can work on its own.
D&G also featured a cropped-sleeve jumper in dark grey with a contrast light grey neck-cuff and waistband. This jumper featured quite a rough finish on the edges, again emphasising a hardy, workwear feel. It was paired with several layers of thinner, long-sleeved pullovers in various tones of grey cotton:
D&G even managed to prove that cropped-sleeve knitwear can work in a more formal environment. A v-neck, cropped sleeves, cable-knit jumper in charcoal grey was paired successfully with a white button-down shirt and a nonchalantly tied bow tie for an altogether smarter feel. This formal aesthetic was reinforced by the cropped-sleeve, chunky knit, shawl-neck cardigan in grey – which was again paired with a white shirt and patterned bow tie for a suave and sophisticated feel.
In The Fashion Press
In the fashion press, items of cropped sleeve knitwear have also made an impact. In particular, Esquire Magazine have featured cropped knitwear pieces in their editorials for both October and November 2012, which shows they really feel this trend will make an impact this season.
In fact, Esquire felt that the look pushed by Calvin Klein at their AW12 runway show did not require any tweaking at all; they created an exact copy, as modelled by Jamie Dornan [below right]:
Current Cropped Pieces
Although the high street have been slow on the uptake of this trend (it may never translate), there are a variety of short sleeved knitted pieces that can still be utilised in much the same way – think polos, t-shirts and the like.
Why not get creative with your layering this year and experiment with the way you put outfits together? You could end up separating yourself from the masses and create a variety of unique looks that are full of character:
- Topman Burgundy Knitted Polo T-shirt
- Topman Navy Heavyweight Polo Shirt
- Plectrum By Ben Sherman Knit Polo Shirt
- Topman Fudge Polka Dot Short Sleeve Sweatshirt
- Topman Brown/black Marl Short Sleeve Sweatshirt
- 3.1 Phillip Lim Crewneck
- Sasquatchfabrix Mens Amish Quilt Sweater
- Dries Van Noten Mens Miami Knit Top
- American Apparel California Fleece Sweatshirt
- American Apparel Mock Neck Tee
- Antonio Azzuolo High Neck
- Sacai Mens Double Fabric T-shirt
- Maison Martin Margiela 14 Crewneck
- American Apparel Reversible Easy Sweater
- Mauro Grifoni Short Sleeve Cardigan
Final Word
So how do you guys feel about rocking a cropped sleeve in the winter? Is a short sleeve something that should remain popular only in the warmer spring/summer months? Or do you think that pairing a cropped sleeve with creative layering techniques could be a fashion hit?
As always, we welcome your thoughts and opinions.
Men’s SS13 Fashion Trend: Safari
Men’s SS13 Fashion Trend: Ethnic Inspired
Men’s SS13 Fashion Trend: Denim
Men’s SS13 Fashion Trend: Statement Tailoring
Back To Top
I think this is one of the more obscure and stupider of trends. This completely defeats the purpose of knitwear in winter in that it does not keep your arms warm. Also I think it breaks up the lines of a sweater or a cardigan. Keep these items traditional, and experiment with what you wear them with in my opinion!
I agree with Matt – its a fad that (hopefully) won’t last. Having said that, fashion is a fickle and fast moving thing – particularly for the younger generation. At 40+ I will be sticking to more traditional styles though.
This is quite an interesting take on knitwear. I often find myself wanting to layer knits but end up being too hot and bulky, even in the cold of winter. However, I think with a short sleeve knit this could solve the problem. I’d probably stick to a more casual look, like a chambray shirt, merino wool crew neck and then one of the cropped cable knits over the top. Could be an interesting twist to what can be some very formulaic looks.
What about a cropped sleeve hoodie? I know it breaks the “rules of layering” of thin to thick (inside to outer layers) but a thick cable knit with a cropped hoodie over it. I agree about this being for more casual looks but i do like the top left and right pictures of the second lookbook, the others could be replaced by sleeveless cardigans.
another interesting idea would be the incorporation of new (ish?) accessories to make use of the newly bare forearm in the more casual looks such as forearm guards (the leather or decorative light metal type)
such as these https://www.darkknightarmoury.com/p-4945-knights-battle-arm-bracers.aspx
with the more oversized casual cropped pieces like the black waffle knit number shown in the look book.
Interesting trend. I’m really unsure about it. The knitted polos could work but short-sleeved knitwear does seem a bit of an oxymoron.
Good article though. Nice one on the intro adaptation – reading the same paragraph repeatedly was getting a bit tedious.
I have to go with the other comments, I think this is a bit try-hard and uber-cool (although, as with everything, it may suit some people). I am a big fan of rolling up sleeves on my thin jumpers in the winter but feel this is a step too far. That said, really interesting article and very well written, particularly with the interpretation using pieces like polos etc which are in a standard capsule.
I expect to see art students in Hoxton trying to pull it off but hope that it will go no further.
I have found one in thailand, land of the eternal summer. When i look in their lookbook I want to try it. However in real life the piece have bad execution so I didn’t give it a thought. It may sound wrong to some but I might try it. Especially when it look good like the CK one on the far right.
I’m a style honey badger.
I can see 3/4 sleeves working, as it looks like they’ve been pulled up, but without the annoying bunching/stretched cuffs. All Saints have actually stocked a few of these for a while now, albeit not in a thick knit. Any shorter though, and it just reminds me of 80′s sweatshirts with the sleeves cut off.
I am with you on the pushed up sleeve with out the annoying bulk. Fashion is often fun I saw play with it.
Like it. Adventurous. Just a shame it’s hard to find an example at a sensible price :\
reminds me too much of the 90′s (not a totaly bad thing mind) albeit with wearing a v-neck t-shirt (rather than a knitted garment) over a long sleeved thin sweatshirt or even a thin cotton shirt.
besides, Next have been doing this for years , with their faux layered tops :)
I actually love this trend. A few years back i bought a crop sleeve sweater from H&M. I love that sweater and until this day I still wear the sweater. I am glad to see that I am still on trend!
TaeHyeon,
Blondism.Blogspot.Com