The Aran sweater is an iconic Irish fashion essential, popular all over the world for it’s practically and style, and here at Weavers of Ireland, we are proud to have an excellent range of Irish sweaters to choose from. Aran sweaters are not just a cosy choice, they’re an excellent way to protect yourself against the elements and ensure that you look great.

Here, we’ll take a look at layering up your Aran sweater to create a range of different looks through the year, ensuring that your sweater is the perfect companion for all your adventures, all year round. Creating new looks with your Aran sweater means you can embrace traditional style with a contemporary twist, and our extensive selection includes something for everyone.

The Origins of the Aran Sweater

Aran sweaters were first knitted for the fishermen and farmers who worked in the harsh climate of the Aran Islands, many years ago. They were practical, comfortable garments that were intended to protect their wearers against the elements - and against bad luck, if the legends are to be believed. The families of this desolate region used unique and decorative stitching designs to denote their ancestry and their lifestyles, and they have become an important part of Ireland’s heritage.

From their humble beginnings, Aran sweaters were catapulted into popular fashion when they began to appear on the pages of magazines, worn by celebrities and models in the 1950s. They have been sported by film stars and models for decades and been featured in Vogue magazine many times, displaying the versatile nature of these garments that can be styled to suit anyone, all year round.

Fall Favourites

In the Autumn, nature gives us a great lesson in the beauty of letting go, as the trees shed their leaves in a display of impressive colours. This is the time of year when the days grow shorter and the weather begins to turn, becoming much colder in the mornings and evenings. Many of us will be reaching for our sweaters, and the Aran sweater is a great choice, giving you warmth and style in one.

We love the traditional designs that include the colours we see in nature at this time, such as Brambleberry, Terracotta and Red Earth, which are just some of the stunning colour options in this Wool Cashmere Cable V-Neck Sweater, a lighter knit that is perfect for layering at this unpredictable time of the year. If you’re drawn to simplicity, this Ladies Roll Neck Sweater in Gold is a great find, flattering and cosy with the beautiful Donegal Tweed fleck in gold wool that is reminiscent of the falling autumn leaves.

Any of our gorgeous Aran sweaters will help to keep you snug in the fall season, and layering them up over long or short sleeved t-shirts and jeans with boots creates the perfect autumnal outfit. We also love them layered over dresses with tights or leggings as the weather turns, and an Aran sweater, cardigan or coatigan is a great option to keep close when the frosts set in.

Winter Woollens

In the winter months, you’ll want to wrap yourself up in cosy knitwear and there are so many ways to wear your Aran sweater this season. Whether you’re looking for a cable knit sweater to snuggle up by the fire or create those picturesque moments by the Christmas tree, or you need a companion knit for those winter walks in the countryside, we have the perfect solution for you.

When it’s cold outside, we like to channel the festive movie vibe and make the most of natural white Aran designs, such as this Women’s Wool Cashmere Aran Mock Turtleneck Sweater. Think Cameron Diaz in The Holiday, or the classic sweaters we see in old favourite, Home Alone. Red is another great colour for your winter knitwear, and the detailed cable stitching patterns are also a practical choice that will keep you warm and cosy as the extra layers offer extra insulation as well as looking great. You can really embrace the festive feeling with this Snowflake Zip-Neck Fairisle Sweater, with white, red and charcoal colour scheme and flattering half-zip design.

In the winter, we recommend jeans and boots with your Aran sweater, or long skirts with tights and boots to give you a smarter feel. Tailored trousers and Aran sweaters work really well together, especially if you’re celebrating a special occasion or creating more formal outfits for work. Traditional styles like the Merino Aran Sweater are perfect for this look, pairing equally well with casual clothes and more formal choices, and this can be dressed up for special occasions or worn simply as an every day option. We love the navy, white and Misty Marl options for the winter, but you can choose from an extensive range of gorgeous colours to suit all seasons.

Spring Sweaters

As the Earth is waking up and new life is blossoming, it’s a great time to be embracing your lighter knits and experimenting with new colour combinations and styles. You can adapt your favourite looks to suit the season, adding scarves and an Aran coatigan when the weather is cool or wet and wearing a thinner or lighter knit layered over a dress or skirt with tights when the sun peeks through.

In the Spring, you might find that you get caught in a shower of rain or that it’s much warmer than you expected, so it’s well worth preparing for all conditions. Wool is a water resistant fabric that can hold up to 30% of its weight in water before feeling wet, so it’s a great choice for April showers and unpredictable weather. We love the Women’s Lambay Aran Sweater, featuring beautiful embellishment using the Lattice and Diamond cable stitches. This is a great option for mixed-bag weather and is ideal for wearing with jeans or tailored trousers, depending on the occasion.

The Celtic Troyer Sweater is a great outer layer when you don’t need a heavy overcoat but want to make sure you stay warm all day long. Perfect for long walks or an outdoor occasion, with thick-knit collar and traditional Irish leather-look buttons and a Celtic knot work design that is intended to bring luck and protecting to the wearer. This is the ideal gift to yourself or someone special and will soon become a firm favourite in your wardrobe.

Summer Style

In the warmer months, you may think that an Aran sweater will be too heavy for comfort but we have a great choice of designs that are lighter to wear and can be styled for summer. Did you know that wool can help to wick away sweat and regulate your temperature even on warmer days? This makes it a great option all year round and the paler, pastel colours in our selection give a summery feel to your ensemble.

The Merino Wool Aran Men’s V-Neck Cardigan is ideal for extra warmth all year round and it’s a great choice for layering over t-shirts and long-sleeved tops in the summer months. It’s a timeless style that can be worn open or closed, and it will ensure that you hold onto the heat of the day as the cooler evenings draw in. For women, we love the Wool Cashmere Aran Trellis Sweater, especially in the Chalkstone and White shades. This is a chic and beautiful design that is a great way to dress up a long dress or skirt for a garden party and the gorgeous trellis design is delicate and feminine to give you a light and summery look.

We may be biased, but we believe that Aran sweaters are the perfect companion to your outfit all year round, and even in the summer, they can give you the versatility you need to move from daytime to evening with ease. An Aran cardigan or sweater is a handy option to carry with you, in your bag or wrapped around your waist or shoulders, so that you can adapt to the changing weather and ensure you are prepared for all eventualities.

Accessorising your Aran Sweater

Whatever the season, you can make the most of your Aran sweater by accessorising it effectively. In the cooler seasons, a scarf or shawl is the perfect piece to complement your Aran knitwear, giving you the flexibility to add and remove a layer when needed. The Celtic Dogs Pattern Scarf is inspired by the Viking designs that decorated many ancient Celtic artefacts. We love the colours and the intricate stitchwork, and the subtle colour scheme will be the perfect complement to your Aran sweater.

The Super Soft Cabled Shawl is a great choice for adding an extra layer of warmth and style in soft Merino wool. Ideal even for sensitive skin, this unique shawl can be draped over your sweater or coat to protect against the elements and give you the comfort and cosiness you need. For a more ethereal look, you can’t beat the Lambswool Celtic Ruana Wrap in Teal Checks, a delicate option to dress up your Aran knitwear for a special occasion or keep you warm on cooler days. This is the ultimate in versatility and can be worn as a wrap, a chunky scarf, an open shawl or even a skirt, and there are many other beautiful colours in our range.

The jewellery in our collection is designed to complement our Aran knitwear and other garments, making the most of the Celtic connection and recognising the Irish roots of our artisan crafts. We love the delicate silver pieces that feature designs such as the Claddagh, the Trinity Knot and the Tree of Life, and these are the perfect companion for your Aran sweater or cardigan. With necklaces, earrings, rings and bracelets to choose from, these special pieces make perfect gifts - for yourself as well as for others - and they are sure to get you noticed for all the right reasons.

Styling your outfits for all seasons means being flexible with your favourite garments and experimenting with new ideas and accessories as the seasons change. We love the way that you can take your Aran sweater from a Winter wedding to a boat trip in the Spring without missing a beat, simply by adding or removing a layer and styling it up with the scarf of your choice. You can find plenty of style ideas on our website, or talk to our friendly staff team to find inspiration for the looks you love.

Aran Sweaters and Cardigans at Weavers of Ireland

At Weavers of Ireland, we aim to share traditional Irish craftsmanship with our customers from all over the world, showing off unique and beautiful items that celebrate our heritage. Our Aran sweaters are created with the legends and folklore of the Aran Islands in every stitch, and we also have a beautiful range of shirts, jackets and scarves made with care using top quality wools and fabric to create timeless Irish designs.

You can visit us in one of our stores in Ireland, located in Killarney, Kenmare, Dublin, Galway, Glengarriff and Kinsale, or view our full selection online at Weavers of Ireland. We choose the garments in our catalogue with care, ensuring that every item is a beautiful example of the history we strive to preserve. Our expert team will be delighted to help you find the perfect Aran sweaters for you and your loved ones, as well as heirloom pieces that will be special to you and your family for many generations.