A jumper (in American English), jumper dress, or pinafore dress[1][2] is a sleeveless, collarless dress intended to be worn over a blouse, shirt, T-shirt or sweater.[3][4][5] Hemlines can be of different lengths and the type of collar and whether or not there is pleating are also variables in the design.[6]
In British English, the term jumper describes what is called a sweater in American English. Also, in more formal British usage, a distinction is made between a pinafore dress and a pinafore. The latter, though a related garment, has an open back and is worn as an apron. In American English, pinafore always refers to an apron.[citation needed]
A sundress, like a jumper, is sleeveless and collarless; however, such articles are not worn over a blouse or sweater, and are of distinctly different cuts and fashions. The apron dress may be viewed as a special case of the jumper. If the design of the dress is directly inspired by an apron (having a bib in front and ties in the back, for example), the garment is typically described as an apron dress.[7]
Jumpers for fall were described in The Fort Wayne Sentinel in 1906.[8] The dresses were "imported from Paris" and featured "original lines."[8]
Jumpers in the United States were part of the sportswear collections of Jean Patou, Coco Chanel and Paul Poiret.[6] Suzanne Lenglen wore Patou's jumper design in the 1920s.[6] The dresses, worn over blouses, became popular during the decade of the 1920s.[9] Jumpers were often worn in the summer and made out of various types of fabrics.[10]
Jumpers were touted as an "American" and a "sports fashion" in 1930 by the Pittsburgh Press.[11] The dresses were also praised for allowing women to create color combinations through the choice of blouse worn underneath.[11]
Jumpers were again popularized in 1953, when Hubert de Givenchy promoted his own jumper.[12] Jumpers, now considered a "classic" look, were considered "suitable to all ages."[13]
