Irish Wool Sweaters: A Timeless Classic for the Modern American Woman
Some fashion trends come and go, while others make a big impact for a short period and then disappear. Others, however, seem to be timeless – and the Irish wool sweater is one of these. From its origins as a practical garment that was knitted to protect the farmers and fishermen of the Aran Islands in their daily work, the Irish wool sweater, and especially the Aran sweater, became a fashion staple as it exploded onto movie screens and the pages of Vogue magazine in the 1950s.
Irish Wool Sweaters: A Timeless Classic for the Modern American Woman
Some fashion trends come and go, while others make a big impact for a short period and then disappear. Others, however, seem to be timeless – and the Irish wool sweater is one of these. From its origins as a practical garment that was knitted to protect the farmers and fishermen of the Aran Islands in their daily work, the Irish wool sweater, and especially the Aran sweater, became a fashion staple as it exploded onto movie screens and the pages of Vogue magazine in the 1950s.
Today, the Aran sweater is a top choice for celebrities and mere mortals alike, the ideal option for everyday wear or making an impact on a special occasion. It maintains its practical roots, with the ornate stitching creating a link with the Irish heritage it represents, and contemporary styling brings it up to date. If you haven’t discovered the magic of the Irish sweater yet, you’ll be delighted to embrace the trend that every modern American woman loves by adding one (or more!) to your wardrobe.
Aran Cable Knit Sweaters are a wardrobe staple
Every woman who is interested in fashion will be sure to have at least one Irish sweater in her wardrobe, and our collection includes a variety of designs and styles that can create a whole range of looks. The perfect blend of warmth, style and unique heritage, they are a good choice for anyone who leads a busy, active lifestyle, especially when spending time outdoors.
The iconic Aran sweater is characterised by embellishment that features distinctive stitches such as cable stitch, honeycomb stitch and trellis stitch. These are believed to represent elements of the traditional lifestyles of the communities who created these sweaters in the harsh conditions of the Aran Islands. The cable stitch, for instance, is said to reflect the ropes used by the fishermen in their daily lives and is intended to bring luck and abundance to the wearer. Knowing the stories and positive intentions behind the stitches brings an extra level of connection as you wear your gorgeous sweater, weaving in its authentic Irish history.
Your Capsule Wardrobe
Would you open up your closet and show the world your clothing collection? Here at Aran Sweater Market, we love the timeless Aran sweater and we are especially impressed with all the different ways it can be styled to create a variety of looks. With just a few simple items, your capsule wardrobe can take you from the office to an evening event, and you can create casual and formal looks you love. Your capsule wardrobe should include several basic items that can be styled in different ways, giving you a whole range of outfits for every occasion.
Begin by thinking about the colours you love and that look good on you and build your capsule wardrobe around these. Ensuring that most of your garments are neutral in colour will make it much easier to create great-looking outfits from your options and you can ask a trusted friend to help you find the best colours to base your wardrobe around. Consider practicality and comfort – you don’t want to end up with a selection of clothes that you hate to wear, even if they look good!
Creating a capsule wardrobe that works for you means considering your preferences and adapting the rules to suit you. A capsule wardrobe reduces stress, because you won’t be overwhelmed by choice every day, and will save you money that would be wasted on items you only wear once. It’s also a great choice for the planet, as it reduces the amount of garments you are buying and you can make more sustainable choices for the statement pieces you choose. This is a big consideration, as the fashion industry poses many problems for the environment, so it’s good to know that you can look great, save money and do your bit for climate change, too.
Your capsule wardrobe should include:
Jeans. A couple of good pairs of jeans are essential in every modern woman’s wardrobe, and you may find you prefer to have one black and one blue pair of jeans in your favourite style. If you only wear skinny jeans or bootcut jeans, for instance, you might have one pair in each shade you like, to complement different outfits. On the other hand, if you love wearing jeans and like to change up your style, you might find that you want a few different styles for different occasions. Jeans are a great companion to an Aran sweater, ideal for all weather and great all year round.
Trousers. If you wear tailored trousers for work or as a preference, you’ll want at least two pairs in your wardrobe. You should opt for plain, simple styles that flatter your figure and complement the tops you have chosen.
Leggings. The keyword for your Aran sweater is cosy, and we love cuddling up by the fire with a good book in our gorgeous knitwear. Embracing comfort means you’ll always feel relaxed and at ease, and every woman should own at least one pair of leggings that feel great to wear and won’t require a quick change if the doorbell rings! You can team leggings with a long sweater or cardigan for an oversized, snuggly vibe.
Skirts. If you love to wear skirts, you’ll want a selection that looks great with the tops you have to choose from. Long or short depends on your personal preferences and you’ll need to make sure you have a good selection of neutral tights to pair with shorter skirts on cool days. Most short shirts look great combined with an Aran sweater!
Tops. You’ll probably need around ten basic tops, including t-shirts, vest tops and long-sleeved tops, and then a handful of shirts or blouses if you wear these for work. Many of these will probably be plain and in similar colours to the rest of your wardrobe so they are easy to combine, or you may opt for more embellished options to add a pop of colour and personality to your look.
Dresses. You’ll want one or two dresses in your wardrobe unless you wear them often, and one of these will probably be the classic LBD. The little black dress (LBD) has never been out of fashion, much like the Aran sweater itself. This means you need a really good one in your wardrobe, although the best style for you will be entirely dependent on your style, physique and preferences. Whether you’re going out for drinks or making an impression at the office, you can adapt your look for colder days with an Aran sweater, instantly making it a more casual option or a classy statement, depending on the style you choose.
Jackets. You’ll probably want a choice of jackets to suit the seasons, including a lighter option for Spring and cooler summer days. These are best in neutral colours so they suit any outfit option and at least one waterproof option will be essential.
Boots and shoes. Your Aran sweater is the perfect piece of clothing for a good walk and you’ll need a decent pair of boots to ensure that you look the part. Whether you are out on a countryside hike or exploring a new city, you’ll love the boots, jeans and sweater combo that is ideal in most situations. You’ll also need at least three other pairs of shoes, including trainers for casual occasions and work shoes.
You can complete your capsule wardrobe with a small selection of belts and bags so that you can accessorise your outfits simply and quickly, and then you can add the jewellery of your choice and you’re ready to go!
Irish Wool Sweaters for the Modern American Woman
You can make the most of your Aran sweater by styling it in a classic or modern style, complementing your favourite attributes and ensuring that you look great all year round. Your sweater is not just a piece of clothing, it’s a real investment in sustainable fashion and timeless style, perfect for the modern American woman. There are so many styles to choose from and having a few in your wardrobe will give you the choice and versatility you need every day. We love the following designs for their flattering style and comfort:
The traditional Aran sweater is a great choice for all occasions and we love the rich, striking colour choices for the Women’s Heavyweight Merino Wool Aran Sweater. This is a classic style, featuring the chunky cable knit and Lattice stitch and made from 100% Merino Wool. The natural and organic fibres help to regulate your temperature so you can wear them all year round, and they’ll look as good on a winter walk as they will for an evening out with friends.
When the weather is cold and you need an extra layer, you can’t beat the gorgeous Cowl Button Neck Aran Sweater in shades like the ‘baw neen’ natural wool colour. The button detail and cable knit stitching bring a contemporary update to this classic style and like all our Aran knitwear, it comes with a signed and stamped Certificate of Authenticity. It’s ideal to wear with jeans or a long skirt for a stylish outfit throughout the Fall and Winter.
The Wool Cashmere Cable V-Neck Sweater is a lighter knit that looks great all year round and can be dressed up for a special occasion as well as worn every day. It features a unique plaited style collar with braided stitch, symbolising the strands of life and the way they interweave. You can choose from a range of gorgeous colours, including rich shades such as Green Garden and Red Earth for a cosy autumnal look and pastels like Sky and Pink Mist for the Spring and Summer months. This is a beautiful choice with a long skirt or over a short dress for a more formal occasion, and it pairs well with jeans for an everyday outfit.
We love the Ladies Roll Neck Sweater and the popular shade of gold is just perfect for the Fall. This Irish sweater is a little different, a relaxed style that is perfect for wearing over leggings or jeans and getting out into the elements for a good walk or snuggling up indoors. The sweater is hand-loomed and finished, giving it a unique, flattering design complete with roll collar, cuff and Basque.
You’ll be sure to turn heads with the Women’s Oversized Wool Cashmere Aran Sweater, perfect for throwing on over leggings or tights, or with shorts or a skirt underneath it. We love the blend of cashmere and wool that makes it soft and luxurious to wear and heavy enough to hold its shape. You can feel the quality of this beautiful design and it’s proving a popular choice with our customers all over the world who want to embrace the chic catwalk look.
When you want something a little bit special, the Women’s Snowflake Zip-Neck Aran Sweater is just the thing. Perfect for your festive ensemble, it’ll be ideal for your holiday cards, and snowy walks and for wearing throughout the winter months. The half zip style is a stylish and comfortable look for indoor and outdoor wear, and the natural white and red, or white and charcoal, perfectly captures the Christmas movie spirit.
Find Your Irish Wool Sweater at Aran Sweater Market
We’ll be delighted to help you find your new Irish wool sweater at Aran Sweater Market, and you can explore our catalogue online or visit us in one of our stores, located in the Aran Islands, Galway, Killarney or Dublin. We have an extensive range of cardigans, capes and scarves, as well as shawls, hats and socks. Our mission is to showcase the best of Irish craftsmanship and talent, and we particularly love the Clan Aran range, which features the traditional Clan patterns and their unique designs and meanings.
At Aran Sweater Market, you can discover a wide range of unique and beautiful clothing for men, women and children and a selection of blankets and throws that make perfect gifts for your loved ones. We are committed to sharing Irish heritage and traditional skills with our customers, and you can be sure that our pieces are of the highest quality. Take a look at our designs and embrace timeless Irish style today.