With the skin-tight styles of the 60s, emerging as a result of the popularity of emaciated supermodel Twiggy, the poorboy sweater was a perfect fit for the fashion tastes of the generation. Well, maybe not a perfect fit, but that’s what set this ultra-skintight variation apart from the usual array of floppy sweaters. With sleeves that barely reached the wrists and a ribbed look that appeared as if it were painted on, the poorboy sweater was the perfect way to show off that underfed body and highlight those long and lean limbs.

The poorboy got its name by giving the impression that the wearer was unable to afford a full-sized sweater. It bridged the gap between the psychedelic mod styles and the hippie-happy earthtones that would soon take center stage. Paired with a pair of hip-hugging cords, it offered a look that was somewhere in between stylish and street urchin.

When the 90s came along, the poorboy sweater enjoyed a popular resurgence, alongside the miniature baby tees and baby doll dresses that were emerging on the fashion horizon. Once again, the underfed look was in and the populace followed the footsteps of their favorite emaciated fashion models. The poorboy sweater had come full circle.