For the past century, the jersey dress has been one of the most elegant pieces of women’s clothing. Traditionally, the jersey dress is a loose garment of cotton or wool, usually with short sleeves, which is worn over a dress, usually as a vest, as well as often being tied at the waist, and typically with a buttoned waist tie. It is either tightly knit and machine woven, as opposed to a more frequently hand knotted knitted Guernsey, and is usually close fitting and with a very long length.
It was during the 1960s that the trend for the jersey dress became extremely popular with both the women’s and men’s fashion industry. In the United States the trend was especially popular on the coasts. However, because of the popularity of this style in the United States, the term was often used by European and Asian women as well.
The popularity of the jersey dress is best described in terms of the casual yet feminine appeal of it. In comparison to the bulky, frilly dresses of the past, the jersey dress is a much more comfortable option. This is because they do not have a gadding, boning, or stretchy waist, as most traditional skirts. Additionally, the jersey dress is far more easy to care for. Because of its lightweight nature, many ladies prefer to wear them at casual events such as barbeques, while others enjoy them when attending more formal events such as weddings. The only drawback to these types of dresses is that they tend to age quickly, especially if they are not taken care of properly, and are not a good choice if you plan to wear the dress for a prolonged period of time. That said, many ladies who own the jersey dresses still find that they look fabulous when kept properly cared for, as well as being incredibly comfortable.