UPDATE: Several children who attend the project, between the ages of 8-14 years old, were given an assignment to do a project; the topic was The History of the String Vest.  The following information is extracts from their submissions and has been condensed.

The History of the String Vest  1933 - 2008
It all began in 1933 when a Norwegian army commandant Henrik Brun won himself a place in history, as the inventor of the string underwear - when he sewed together his first set from old fishing nets and then presented them to the assembled officers, including King Håkon VII. Brun's idea must have caught on, because the manufacturer Brynje from Larvik has been supplying all units of the Norwegian army since 1950, for even in peacetime, these troops are up against a bitter enemy - the winter temperatures experienced beyond 72 degrees.  The long style was also enforced to keep the soldiers warm (below), during very cold periods on the battle fields.

Of course nowadays the underwear is made from the finest hard-wearing, sweat absorbing cotton. Which is then produced on special raschel machines. Soon civilians earned to appreciate the advantages of this type of underwear, which keeps you warm, thanks to the thin layer of air trapped in the mesh, yet prevents a build-up of heat and can barely be felt on the skin.

Who else wears them?

Miners appreciated the qualities of these clothes when underground, it's no wonder they wear them even in their time off, when they were not working.

The string vest (short & long) first appeared on the catwalks in Milan and Paris in the early 1970’s. Now the holey look is everywhere in the High Street.   The look is inspired by Ghetto girls like Lil' Kim and Pink, with more than a dash of Kylie thrown in to the mix. Much to the amazement of Madonna and many others, who dare to bare with nothing underneath or opt for the layered look with neon bright vests and multi-pocketed silk combats. However you wear these threads, they are guaranteed to get you noticed.

·         Endurance sportsmen in particular, appreciate this lightweight underwear.

·         Toddlers look cute

·         The gentry

·         Hippy chicks & lap-dancers

·         Fashion conscious individuals

·         The latest fashion is to wear the vest on top of a t-shirt - this style is popular with rap & reggae icons - in the USA and the Caribbean islands

·         Used by many to wear over their revealing swimwear

Versatile Designs

String vests keep you warm because they trap a layer of air between your skin and your shirt, a bit like double glazing.   When its hot they keep you cooler but they are certainly more comfortable than having a When a man wears a string vest under, say, a shirt, the holes in the vest form air-pockets between the wearer's chest and his shirt. Since air is an efficient insulator, less heat escapes from the man's hairy chest and so he is kept warm.

The various styles of wearing this garment is incredible, with very little adjustments they can look so different. They are also known as:  Fishnet, Mesh, Marina and Weefa.

There are however many similar vest available, which are sold very cheaply.  However the quality of these tops is not of the same caliber.  They are made with inexpensive fabrics and dyes. They loose there colour very fast and stretch in/to an unshapely fashion.  The cheaper ones also tend to tear, in various places. Jaheim’s Unique Vest Cave sell - only top of the range. If washed in the correct manner, they will serve you for a very long time (warm wash only and do not dry in a dryer). Sold at discounted retailed prices.  Our aim and objectives are paramount and our customer service as been exceptional.

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