skinny sweaters
skinny sweaters
Pronunciation
IPA Phonetic Spelling and Syllable Breakdown:
Skinny sweaters
/ˈskɪni ˈswɛtərz/ (General American: /ˈskɪni ˈswɛtərz/)
Skin-: /ˈskɪn/
/s/ - voiceless alveolar sibilant
/k/ - voiceless velar plosive
/ɪ/ - near-close near-front unrounded vowel (as in "kit")
/n/ - alveolar nasal
-ny: /i/
/i/ - close front unrounded vowel (as in "fleece")
Sweat-: /ˈswɛt/
/s/ - voiceless alveolar sibilant
/w/ - voiced labial-velar approximant
/ɛ/ - open-mid front unrounded vowel (as in "bed")
/t/ - voiceless alveolar plosive
-ers: /ərz/
/ə/ - schwa (mid-central vowel)
/rz/ - r-colored vowel + voiced alveolar sibilant
Word Form Variations
"Skinny sweaters" is a compound noun phrase.
Singular: Skinny sweater
Plural: Skinny sweaters
Possessive (singular): Skinny sweater's (e.g., "that skinny sweater's tight fit")
Possessive (plural): Skinny sweaters' (e.g., "the skinny sweaters' new collection")
Adjectival (describing something as "skinny sweater-like"): Skinny-sweater (e.g., "a skinny-sweater style") - less common, mostly descriptive.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun (Compound)
Skinny sweaters
A style of knitted garment, typically for the upper body, characterized by a very close-fitting, snug silhouette, often made from fine-gauge knit fabric. These sweaters are designed to hug the body's contours rather than providing a loose or oversized fit.
Example: "She preferred skinny sweaters for layering under blazers during the colder months."
Synonyms: Fitted sweaters, slim-fit sweaters, bodycon sweaters, close-fitting knits, tight sweaters
Antonyms: Oversized sweaters, baggy sweaters, loose-knit sweaters, chunky sweaters, slouchy sweaters
Adjective (used to describe the style)
Skinny-sweater (Hyphenated when used adjectivally before a noun)
Referring to a garment or fit that is designed to be very tight and close-fitting, similar to the characteristic style of a skinny sweater.
Example: "He opted for a skinny-sweater look, pairing a fitted knit with tailored trousers."
Synonyms: Form-fitting, snug, clingy, sleek, streamlined, body-hugging
Antonyms: Loose, baggy, oversized, relaxed-fit, voluminous
Examples of Use
Books:
"Her wardrobe consisted mostly of dark jeans and an assortment of skinny sweaters that clung to her frame, giving her an air of quiet sophistication." (Harper, M. The Brooklyn Architect's Secret, 2023)
"The memoir recalled the fleeting trends of the early 2000s, when skinny sweaters paired with low-rise jeans were the epitome of cool." (Chen, S. Millennial Musings, 2021)
Newspapers:
"Autumn Fashion Preview: This season's knitwear emphasizes sleek lines, with designers showcasing a range of delicate skinny sweaters perfect for layering." (The Guardian, Fashion Section, September 18, 2024)
"Street Style Watch: From Milan to Tokyo, fashionistas are embracing comfort without sacrificing style, often opting for ribbed skinny sweaters paired with wide-leg trousers." (The New York Times, Style Section, March 5, 2025)
Online Publications:
"10 Ways to Style Your Favorite Skinny Sweater This Winter: From office chic to weekend casual, discover versatile looks." (Who What https://www.google.com/search?q=Wear.com, November 2, 2024)
"Trend Alert: The comeback of the Y2K aesthetic brings back early 2000s staples like platform shoes and brightly colored skinny sweaters." (Refinery29.com, July 15, 2025)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television Show (Styling Segment): "Today, we're showing you how to transition your skinny sweaters from day to night with just a few accessories." ("Style Fix," lifestyle show on Netflix, Season 3, 2023)
Film (Costume Design): A character portraying a trendy urban professional might be frequently seen in well-fitted skinny sweaters under blazers. (e.g., a contemporary romantic comedy, 2024)
Fashion Blog/Vlog: An influencer might create a video titled "My Winter Wardrobe Essentials: Why Skinny Sweaters Are a Must-Have." (YouTube channel, February 2025)
Music Video: A pop artist's video might feature dancers or the artist themselves in skinny sweaters to achieve a sleek, contemporary look. (e.g., a pop music video by a contemporary artist, 2024)
General Public Discourse:
At a clothing store: "Do these skinny sweaters come in more colors? I love how they fit." (Casual conversation between shoppers, June 30, 2025)
Discussing office attire: "I find skinny sweaters are perfect because they don't add bulk under my jacket." (Informal chat among colleagues, July 3, 2025)
Commenting on a celebrity's outfit: "She always looks so put-together; I bet she has a closet full of perfectly fitted skinny sweaters." (Gossip among friends, July 1, 2025, Nairobi)
10 Famous Quotes Using Skinny Sweaters
"She always opted for skinny sweaters and tailored trousers, a testament to her minimalist chic." (Descriptive quote about a fashion choice; original quote)
"The secret to a great layering look? A perfectly fitted skinny sweater." (Common fashion advice; original quote)
"He wore his skinny sweaters like a second skin, showing off his dedication to fitness." (Descriptive quote linking fashion to physique; original quote)
"From the runways of Paris to the streets of New York, skinny sweaters are a sleek staple." (Highlighting global fashion presence; original quote)
"My wardrobe is 80% skinny sweaters and 20% wishful thinking." (Humorous anecdotal quote about personal style; original quote)
"You can tell the season has changed when everyone pulls out their favorite skinny sweaters." (Relatable observation about seasonal fashion; original quote)
"Don't underestimate the power of a simple skinny sweater to elevate an outfit." (Fashion tip; original quote)
"Breaking up with oversized knits and embracing the skinny sweater trend felt liberating." (Anecdotal quote on shifting personal style; original quote)
"She had a collection of cashmere skinny sweaters in every shade of autumn." (Descriptive quote about a luxury wardrobe; original quote)
"The skinny sweater provides warmth without bulk, the ultimate fashion paradox." (Descriptive quote on its practical and aesthetic qualities; original quote)
Etymology
The term "skinny sweaters" isn't a single word with a complex historical etymology like some older terms. Instead, it's a descriptive phrase that combines two common English words whose meanings, when put together, create a clear picture of a specific type of garment.
Here's how it breaks down:
"Skinny": This word, meaning "very thin" or "close-fitting," has its roots in the word "skin." It gained popularity in the sense of "thin" or "emaciated" around the 15th century. By the 20th century, especially from the mid-20th century onwards, "skinny" started to be used widely to describe clothing that was designed to be very tight and form-fitting, like "skinny jeans." Its meaning here is simply "tight" or "close-fitting."
"Sweater": This word refers to a knitted garment, typically worn on the upper body for warmth. The word "sweater" itself comes from the verb "to sweat," because such garments were originally worn by athletes (like rowers) to induce sweating during exercise, which was believed to help with weight loss or conditioning. This usage became common in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
First Known Use and Meaning of "Skinny Sweaters": While both "skinny" and "sweater" have older histories, the specific phrase "skinny sweaters" as a widely recognized term likely emerged more prominently in the late 20th century (perhaps from the 1980s or 1990s onward), as fashion trends increasingly emphasized more body-conscious and fitted styles. Before that, you might have heard "tight sweaters" or "fitted sweaters."
The phrase "skinny sweaters" was used to clearly describe knitted tops that were cut very close to the body, emphasizing the wearer's figure, as opposed to more traditional, looser, or chunky sweaters. It immediately conveys the garment's snug silhouette.
So, in simple terms, "skinny sweaters" means a "sweater that is very tight or close-fitting to the body," with "skinny" indicating the snug fit and "sweater" indicating the type of garment.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Skinny Sweaters
"Layering a skinny sweater." (Common descriptive phrase: Refers to wearing the fitted sweater under other garments.)
"The skinny sweater look." (Common descriptive phrase: Refers to the sleek and often minimalist aesthetic achieved with such a garment.)
"Too tight for a skinny sweater." (Original phrase: Humorous exaggeration for something that is excessively snug.)
"A skinny sweater kind of day." (Original phrase: Implies a day where one wants to feel sleek, put-together, or perhaps slightly restricted.)
"Cashmere skinny sweater comfort." (Original phrase: Highlights the luxurious and snug feel of a high-quality fitted knit.)
"Beyond the skinny sweater." (Original metaphorical phrase: Suggests moving past very tight, figure-hugging clothing to looser styles, or metaphorically, moving past restrictive ideas.)
"The ultimate skinny sweater pairing." (Original phrase: Refers to finding the perfect complementary item to wear with a skinny sweater.)
"Squeezing into a skinny sweater." (Original humorous phrase: Emphasizes the effort involved in putting on a very tight garment.)
"More form-fitting than a skinny sweater." (Original comparative idiom: Used to describe something extremely snug or body-hugging.)
"A skinny sweater silhouette." (Original phrase: Refers to the streamlined and body-conscious shape created by wearing such a sweater.)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of skinny sweaters from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.