Seasonal Style: Transitioning Your Irish Woollen Jersey from Winter to Spring

There’s no competition when it comes to winter wear, an Irish woollen jersey is the very best way to wrap up warm and stay cosy, whatever the weather. However, there’s no need to pack away your woollens when the sun returns, as they are also an excellent choice for the springtime with just a few simple adjustments to make the transition seamless.

Let’s take a look at the perfect ways to style your Irish woollen sweater for the winter and for the spring, considering how you can pair them with your favourite outfits for a range of versatile and practical looks. Irish knits are popular across the world and are often featured in fashion magazines and Hollywood films, as well as being an iconic style statement for celebrities in their down time. Irish jerseys have a universal appeal, much loved by men, women and children all over the globe, and we’ll take a look at some extra special choices for the spring.

 

Traditional Irish Sweater Style

Irish sweaters are not just warm and comfortable clothing options, they’re also little pieces of Irish history displaying the traditional Irish craftsmanship that has been used to create them for centuries. Many people refer to Aran sweaters as the quintessential Irish sweater, and these were originally handcrafted by the families of the fishermen and farmers who first wore them to keep them warm and dry while they worked.

The unique cable knit designs used in Aran sweaters are often inspired by the natural beauty of the Aran Islands where they originated, and the lifestyles of the communities living on these remote islands off the coast of Galway. The basic cable stitch, for instance, is said to represent the ropes of the fishermen who relied on the harsh Atlantic Ocean for their livelihood, and the honeycomb stitch represents the hardworking bumble bee, bringing luck to the wearer who shares this committed work ethic. Today, Aran sweaters still feature these intricate stitches and are popular all over the world for their traditional designs.

 

Irish Jerseys through the Seasons

Irish jerseys are not just ideal for the winter but work well as a staple in your wardrobe throughout the year. Wool is a good choice for clothing because it traps air for extra insulation to keep you warm and snug and also allows your skin to breathe and wicks away sweat when the weather is warmer. Wool also has water resistant properties with the ability to take on up to 30% of its weight in water without feeling wet. This makes it perfect for outerwear, so you can layer up when the weather is unpredictable and ensure you stay warm all year round.

Lighter sweaters are a good option for spring and the fall, when the climate can change rapidly, and many styles can be worn with dresses and skirts as well as with the classic jeans and boots. We love the gorgeous Wool Cashmere Aran Trellis Sweater, which is perfect for the springtime when it can be worn as part of a casual outfit or layered over a long skirt or dress for a more formal look. The blend of wool includes 5% Cashmere for a luxurious, soft feel, and the jersey design incorporates the classic trellis stitch, which is said to reflect the landscape of the Aran Islands with its traditional fields marked with border stones to provide protection against the elements.

 

Aran Sweaters All Year Round

There are many ways to style your Irish jersey for different seasons, and whether you’re attending a wedding or taking a long walk in the countryside, we can help you to find the perfect style. The beauty of Irish knits is in their versatility, so they can be adapted to every occasion. We’ll look at how to style your Irish jersey for a casual look or for a more formal event, and we’ll share some of our favourite designs with you.

A lighter look is perfect for the spring when the world is waking up and the days are a little warmer and brighter. This calls for lightweight designs that can be layered up and we often suggest fresh, pastel shades for this beautiful time of the year. The styles that are better suited to the fall are similarly versatile in weight and thickness, but wearers are more likely to embrace the warm, rich, earthy tones that are seen in nature at this time.

 

Styling your Irish Jersey for a Casual Occasion

When you are dressing for a casual occasion or shopping for items to wear daily, you’ll want to prioritise comfort and versatility. Irish sweaters are ideal for comfort wear, like wrapping yourself up in a big hug. Oversized and chunky knits are good for this style, like the Women's Merino Aran Sweater, which is a classic style made using traditional methods. This chunky knit feature honeycomb and cable stitches that are believed to bring luck and protection to the wearer, and the soft Merino wool feels luxurious to wear, whatever the season. It looks great paired with jeans, whether you prefer bootcut or skinny, and you can layer it up with a scarf or shawl to make sure you stay warm if the temperature drops.

If you’re heading out for a blustery walk, you’ll want to wrap right up so that you can fully embrace the elements. Our heavier knits are ideal for this, including the Fisherman’s Merino Ribbed Turtleneck Sweater, which is made from 100% soft Merino wool and simply oozes quality and comfort. This is a traditional fisherman’s style, with a rib stitch pattern, perfect with jeans or other casual trousers, or you can dress it up for a more formal look. A sweater like this is sure to keep you warm and cosy while you walk, as well as protecting you from the occasional shower and allowing your skin to breathe.

We love the relaxed look of an Irish jersey worn over a t-shirt, paired with classic jeans and boots or sneakers. It’s a simple style that works for a day out with the family or simply for cosying up at home. Many people also favour this look for work, especially if the office has a casual dress policy, and it is a great choice for the springtime when you need to quickly adapt to different temperatures throughout the day. If you fancy an edgier look, you could pair your sweater with a pencil skirt in corduroy or leather, with ankle boots or biker boots to create a style of your own.

 

Irish Jersey Style: Formal Occasions

Irish sweaters are renowned for their versatility, and they are an excellent option for keeping warm and staying comfortable at more formal occasions. We love Irish sweaters worn over a collared shirt, especially if you can match the color of the shirt to the season. They also work well with long dresses or skirts for special events or a touch of daily glamor, and this is a popular look for the spring as we cast off the thicker woollens of the winter and step into more elegant knitwear.

The Cropped Wool Aran Cardigan is a stylish choice for wearing with a formal outfit, especially with high waisted tailored trousers, ankle boots and a plain, collared shirt or blouse. This gives you a unique look with a touch of catwalk luxury as the generous lantern sleeves and cropped length add a playful, modern touch to this classic style. The design incorporates cable and honeycomb stitch, as well as the popular Moss stitch, which is said to be inspired by the carrageenan moss that is prolific on the Aran Islands and has even served as an essential food source in times of scarcity.

Versatility is very important when you are curating a look for a formal occasion, and you can’t go far wrong with a sweater that will complement your shirt and trousers and add a touch of luxury and style. We love the Merino Button Neck Aran Troyer, in classic oatmeal white or deep charcoal. This is fantastic for layering over a collared shirt in a plain color and worn with chinos or more tailored trousers. It takes its inspiration from the classic Fisherman’s sweater, with a stylish button collar that adds a contemporary twist to the traditional cable stitch design.

 

Beat the Spring Showers with Irish Knitwear

Whether you want to weather the storms in the unpredictable springtime or ensure you don’t get a chill as balmy evenings appear on the horizon, you’ll find the perfect Irish knitwear for every occasion in our catalogue. Lighter knits, such as the Cable Knit Crew Neck Aran Wool Sweater, are ideal for changeable weather, mirroring the designs that protected the fishermen of the Aran Islands from the elements for many years. These sweaters are unisex and can complement any outfit, knitted as a lightweight option from 100% pure New Wool. This classic design includes the cable, diamond and honeycomb stitches that have been used to embellish these sweaters since they were first created, and if you are buying this sweater as a gift, remember that these stitches are said to bring luck and success to the wearer!

If you want to keep your outfit as versatile as possible, take a look at the Wool Pocket Stole in the color combination Connemara Loden. This is a gorgeous one piece that can be worn as a scarf or cape and adds a layer of warmth and a luxurious touch of style to your look. It’s made in Ireland by Branigan Weavers and features a beautiful traditional Herringbone weave. A stole or poncho is a great way to cope with any weather conditions and ensure that you can adjust to the seasonal changes with ease, and this one is the perfect color combination for spring with its hints of pinks, blues and greens inspired by the Connemara countryside.

We love a wrap you can throw on over your outfit and the Lambswool Celtic Ruana Wrap in Lemon will bring a taste of spring to any outfit. This bright, versatile wrap is made in Ireland by Kerry Woollen Mills, located on the Ring of Kerry, and it can also be worn as a scarf, an open shawl or even a skirt so you really can cope with any eventuality!

 

Irish Knitwear for All Occasions

At Weavers of Ireland, we may be biased but we believe that Irish jerseys are the perfect solution to unpredictable weather and changing seasons. We love the cosiness of an Irish knit in the winter months, and it also provides the perfect way to transition into the warmer weather of the spring, giving you an easy way to adapt your look as the temperature changes. We have an inspiring catalogue of garments and homewares that feature traditional designs, and we select only the best quality artisan producers to preserve the traditional Irish craftsmanship that is such a fundamental part of our Irish heritage.

We have an extensive selection of Irish jerseys, cardigans, scarves and jackets so that you can create a range of looks you love, and we have all the accessories you need to complete your look, including stunning Celtic jewellery, handwoven caps and hats and beautifully crafted handbags. If you are visiting the wonderful country of Ireland, you are welcome to visit one of our stores across Ireland, located in Killarney, Kenmare, Dublin, Galway, Glengarriff and Kinsale. Alternatively, you can find our entire catalogue online at Weavers of Ireland.