Guernsey (clothing)

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A guernsey (or gansey) is a seaman's knitted woollen sweater, similar to a jersey, differing in that it is thicker and more likely to be hand knitted, or in having such an appearance in contrast to the latter's finer knit. It is also less detailed than a Jersey.

The traditional Guernsey, and traditional Jersey, are dyed a navy blue colour, using a dye that does not require stripping the wool of its natural oil, rendering these sweaters surprisingly water resistant. The wool is also passed through oil to make it even more resistant to water. Although patterned in the body and upper sleeves, the lower part of the sleeves are usually knit plain so that when the elbow or wrist area of the sleeve is worn through, the lower sleeves can be cut off and re-knit.

The Guernsey was first widely used in the rating uniform of the nineteenth century British Royal Navy, and as with the Jersey was named after the Channel Island of the same name.

In Australia, the word is used for the sleeveless woollen shirt worn by Australian rules football, or AFL players. The top worn by rugby players is more properly a "jumper", though it is still frequently called a "guernsey". As an extension of this tradition, the expression "to get a guernsey" is to be selected for something or to gain recognition for an achievement.