Image: Guinness World Records
Seven-year-old Skyler Rozell-Whitaker from the United States wore 50 sweaters at once to claim the world record for the most jumpers or sweaters worn at once. The second grader beat the previous mark of 46, held by fellow American Hanmisha Voddineni, by adding four more layers during an attempt on 1 June that was cheered on by classmates, friends and family.
Skyler has always wanted to hold a world record, according to Guinness World Records, but it took time to find a challenge that suited his age and reflected his passion for helping others. His mother, Patty Rozell-Whitaker, told the organisation that once the family knew he was safe, comfortable and happy, all that remained was folding and sorting the sweaters by size. Now eight, Skyler has handed every single sweater to a local clothing drive, turning an official record attempt into a gift for his community. The attempt took place in Pennsylvania and drew television coverage as far away as Australia. He volunteers with his family every quarter at a local clothing drive, so a title built around clothes offered a way to combine both interests in a single attempt. They gathered dozens of sweaters from local secondhand shops and topped up the pile with brand-new items from Walmart. they practised indoors beside a fan to keep him cool Although it was summer.
Before the big day, Skyler and his mothers ran a trial to check that the garments layered properly and that he did not become too hot or overwhelmed.
Because the weight around his neck felt strange, his favourite moment was taking the sweaters off,.
Friends hugged him afterwards, but, as Skyler told Guinness World Records, “I couldn’t move my arms to hug back. The challenge took place in the children’s room of the public library in Monroeville. As his mother helped pull each sweater over his head, Skyler stayed mentally and physically cool, despite a genuine dislike of wearing them. He explained that sweaters feel itchy and that, as a sensory child, he avoids clothes that do not feel comfortable. When the final sweater went on, its black hem tugged over the bulky pile; he looked joyful.