Sweater design: A cautionary tale

A humorous piece in the Guardian today is about an unfortunate sweater design being sold at the retailer FatFace.  As the tag line on the article says: “Shoppers have spotted an image that ‘cannot be unseen’ in the design of this FatFace sweater – much to their amusement”.

a cautionary tale

Photo: Publicity Image, from Guardian, “What a boob! Why this fair isle jumper is turning heads”, October 28, 2019

I looked at the sweater for a few minutes without seeing anything off; however, I can truthfully testify that once you see it, it cannot be unseen.

I asked Emma and Doug what I should name this post.  Emma, ever the smart alec and word pundit, came up with the following options within seconds:

  • Breast in show
  • Breast laid plans
  • Man’s breast friend
  • No breast for the wicked
  • Breast seller
  • Get it now before it’s laid to breast
  • Breast Buy

Doug, not to be outdone, provided the following (with help from Emma and Kelly):

There once was a girl from St. Jude
Whose sweater was terribly rude
With boobs by the row
It made quite the show;
Fair Isle's not meant to be lewd.

(Perhaps, as a family, we need to find a hobby?)

To all of you budding sweater designers, take this as a precautionary tale.  This could have been avoided with a change in colour scheme or pattern placement.  A test drive might be in order for your next design.

17 thoughts on “Sweater design: A cautionary tale

  1. Dang, your family is quick-witted. First the one-liners, and then a limerick that should win prizes!

  2. I looked at the photo first and thought eek that looks like it’s got boobs on…should I tell her in the comments….then I read the words… Phew! Took me longer to spot the neckline boob row, but the lower one…oh dear me! Made me smile though.

  3. oh goodness, I think the top boob row is worst than the lower one, if that is possible! Also took me a couple of minutes, but yes, as you say, you cannot unsee it. LOL! Your jokes are the best.

  4. OOPS! What a goof! And I love the blog titles and the limerick. Great reminder to really look at your designs from many distances.

  5. very funny! Like you it took me a while, but I got it. I love all the quips and limericks, I think we would all have fun if we ever got together, that is the kind of thing we do well in my family. 🙂

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