Winter sweaters are not really a shopping topic if, like me, you have a mother who loves knitting and an aunt who is just as crazy about knitting – who are also extremely talented in knitting.

So one thing right away: My mom knits the most beautiful sweaters!!

And my aunt!!

Johanna Dürrholz

Editor in the “Germany and the World” department.

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But apart from that, there are of course other winter sweaters that are worth wearing, for reasons of warmth and fashion.

One of them is currently experiencing a revival: the Troyer.

If you now think: Such a stuffy old men's sweater!

– That can happen at first sight.

Happened to me too.

One day my friend showed me a model in dark blue and I was not very enthusiastic.

I had to think of a former geography teacher who often wore a sweater like this.

But then the troyer came to our house - the wool was soft and wonderful and yet coarse.

And the pullover looked incredibly good: as if it were resilient in every situation.

Some also know Troyer under the name Icelander or as a sailor sweater.

Sailors are said to have worn it in the past, but in general the troyer is a good work jumper: the zip-up collar can be pulled up and protects your neck and chest from the wind – if you get warm, you can just pull the zip open again.

So ever since a Troyer came into our house, I see Troyer, at least that's how it seems to me, everywhere: on colleagues, on the street, in every shop window.

Crafted in thick wool and in navy blue, just like the original high seas technical wear troyer.

Or made of cotton, finely knitted.

Casual with jeans or over a shirt.

Or for women over the winter dress and with boots.

I see people in Troyer on Instagram, in advertisements, in the catalogue.

In these times, the troyer is a fashion statement for people who don't really want to make a fashion statement.

It's kind of hip, but somehow almost nobody knows that, somehow most of them, like me, remember some former geography teacher who wore a similar model.

The troyer is incredibly practical and never looks overly stylish.

He's a classic.

And who doesn't want to show off in one of these?

A troyer is like a friend that keeps you warm and comfortable, but which you can also wear on adventurous trips or carry along as a replacement for a jacket.

In fact, in these January days with twelve degrees rising, many people are out and about with open jackets and scarves over their arms - a Troyer is a good substitute for coats that are too warm and cardigans that are too thin.

Pull over, done, go.

In a QVC sales show, the Troyer would probably be described as an "all-rounder" - "something that you can wear with everything and everyone".

If I didn't have much too nice and good, self-knitted winter sweaters at home, I would have bought such a fabulous, all-round troyer long ago.

Honestly, I'm about to do it anyway - please don't tell my mom!!