BBC Sherlock Fan Forum - Serving Sherlockians since February 2012 » You know you're obsessed with Sherlock when...

ancientsgate · October 9, 2012 7:15 pm

I did a super-quick search, went to Land's End, which sells quality classically-tailored clothing, and found this http://www.landsend.com/pp/girls-sparkle-tweed-jumper-dress~245349_1187.html
Interesting to see that they use both words-- jumper AND dress. A jumper dress. So apparently the jumper word is still recognized in the US, at least for little girls' clothing.

Anyway, this style is what we think of when we hear the jumper word. Whenever anyone says something about or writes something about John Watson's jumpers in the show, I always have to do a little mind flip-flop for a moment, lol.

besleybean · October 9, 2012 7:18 pm

Thanks for the link.
Yes, I would definitely call that a pinafore dress.

ancientsgate · October 9, 2012 7:19 pm

besleybean wrote:
Ah you mean a pinafore dress, or I think a gym slip is an alternative.

Eeek, I don't know either of those terms. I thought a pinafore was like an apron, but apparently (according to my computer dictionary) it's a.....jumper! lol

Gym slip. Hmmm. I went to Google images for that one-- okay, yes, that's an old-fashioned style pleated jumper, something that looks as though it dates from days gone by. There ya go!

ancientsgate · October 9, 2012 7:20 pm

besleybean wrote:
Thanks for the link.
Yes, I would definitely call that a pinafore dress.

You can see my problem when I hear the jumper word..... imagine John in a little pinafore dress. *snorfle*

besleybean · October 9, 2012 7:20 pm

A pinafore is also used for a full apron, like an old fashioned maid would wear, you are right.

KeepersPrice · October 9, 2012 7:34 pm

veecee wrote:
Can we establish what we mean by "jerseys"? T-shirts? Sweaters (jumpers)? Or just light knit shirts?

Yeah, I have a little bit of OCD. Wanna make something of it?

Whatever striped black and white 'thing' John was wearing sitting at the desk at 221B is what I call a jersey - I guess a light cotton pullover - or long sleeve T-shirt - is the best way to describe it. It looked very comfy and casual and just right for lounging around.

besleybean · October 9, 2012 7:41 pm

We had enormous debate about this on my other forum, because I actually thought he was wearing a pyjama top!

Davina · October 9, 2012 8:00 pm

Not that we're obsessed or anything!

besleybean · October 9, 2012 8:08 pm

Tee Hee!

veecee · October 9, 2012 9:07 pm

What was I thinking when I asked that simple question?!!

Here's my interpretation of the American usage:

A jumper is like a sleeveless dress, but specifically made to wear some kind of top -- a blouse, or whatever -- under it.
We use the term jersey, but most often for the knit top of a team uniform-- like a football jersey.
Jersey is also a kind of fine, drapey knit fabric -- frequently wool.
And a pinafore is an apron, but we rarely use that word. Very quaint.

besleybean · October 9, 2012 9:13 pm

There's a bit of divide here over whether it's a football shirt of jersey....should really be shirt, as it's not wool!

Davina · October 10, 2012 5:52 am

We also call an apron (originally a 'napron' by the way) a 'pinny'/ 'pinnie'.

besleybean · October 10, 2012 6:54 am

For me(and I believe technically!)an apron is a half garment and ties around your waist, only covering the lower half of your body.
A pinafore is a full garment, covering most of the torso

Last edited by besleybean (October 10, 2012 10:26 am)

SusiGo · October 10, 2012 10:19 am

… when you bump into a very big 240 litre wheelie bin because you've been thinking of Sherlock/Benedict. *rubbing leg*

Mattlocked · October 10, 2012 11:32 am

Ouch!
Thanks for taking this thread back to it's actual purpose.

....when you have to think of Moriarty about 12 times a day because in one of those "stupid fan vids" someone connected the pool scene to this song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CBPCqS9iJg
(Which is on the radio quite often these days....)

NW16XE · October 10, 2012 12:36 pm

...when you waste 40 minutes on Pringle's website picking out jumpers you'd like to see John in. (Sorry, Mattlocked, no more jumpers, I promise. )

Davina · October 10, 2012 12:38 pm

Now then...you do mean OUR jumpers and not those funny American dressie things don't you! Lol

Mattlocked · October 10, 2012 12:39 pm

AAAARGGGHHHH! lololol

besleybean · October 10, 2012 12:58 pm

Jumpergate!

besleybean · October 10, 2012 1:37 pm

Just seen somebody's signature and remembered this exchange, which may amuse some!

Gillian O'Rourke More importantly Beverley Jean, well done to you for keeping me sane in the computer suite!!!! Aaarrghh!!!
September 25 at 9:36pm via mobile · Like · 1

Beverley Jean Smith You have to admit, The Mystery of the Vanishing folder and it's miraculous discovery, was of Sherlockian proportions!
September 25 at 9:40pm · Like · 1

Gillian O'Rourke Haha it is funny looking back however I was NOT amused at the time! Thank goodness for your detective skills :-)
September 25 at 9:43pm via mobile · Like

Beverley Jean Smith Ah, but you gave the vital clue! It wasn't in the Recycle bin, therefore it couldn't have been deleted. One of those: 'The Curious incident of the dog in the night' things!
September 25 at 9:47pm · Like · 2