Vintage, 1970s

c. 1970s

Finnish-made garments became much rarer after the early 2000s as production shifted abroad. Acrylic–wool blends were especially common in Finnish knitwear from the late 1970s through the 1990s, and in case the word acrylic triggers the usual reflexive skepticism, here are a few useful facts: Acrylic fabric in the 1970s bore almost no resemblance to the flimsy, squeaky material most people associate with it today. Vintage acrylic had a surprisingly substantial, wool-like hand—soft, dense, and smooth, engineered to mimic natural fibers rather than cheap synthetics. Unlike modern production, 1970s acrylic yarns were spun thicker and heat-set differently, giving the fabric real body, impressive loft, and a warm, almost cashmere-like pile. Manufacturers actually prioritized longevity and drape, so the material held its shape far better than contemporary acrylic knits and resisted pilling with notable stubbornness. Where today’s acrylic tends to be lightweight and mass-produced, its 1970s counterpart was densely knit, richly textured, and built with a durability and quality far closer to wool than anything in the bargain-bin synthetic category.

Size Conversion (approximate):
US Men’s Size: M–L
EU Men’s Size: 48–50