How to Buy an Aran Sweater Online: Our Guide to Sizing & Fit.

Hi Everyone. I hope I find you all well this week.  Someone asked for advice online recently, and I haven’t stopped thinking about it. They’d bought a sweater on a trip to Ireland, loved it, and wanted a second one. But they didn’t want to buy online, because “sizing is hard to judge and a pain to return.”

That’s a completely fair worry. You can’t try a sweater on through a screen. So let’s take it seriously and make choosing your size feel a good deal easier.

Start with your regular size, then adjust

Take the size you normally wear, then consider three things: the style of the garment, the feel of the knit, and what you’ll wear underneath.

A traditional Aran crew neck often has a generous feel, with room for layers. Cardigans, sweater-jackets and more contemporary designs can fit differently, so your usual size is a starting point rather than a guarantee.

Our FAQ puts it plainly: “Our knit garments are predominately worn as outerwear and our sizing reflects this.”

If you love a relaxed sweater over a shirt, you’ll want a different fit from someone who prefers their knitwear close to the body. Neither is wrong. The aim is to find the sweater that feels right for you.

For the classic Aran look, our bestselling Men’s Traditional Crew Neck Aran Sweater-Available Here is a wonderful place to start. Made from 100% merino wool, with honeycomb stitching taking center stage, it’s a timeless sweater to wear with your favorite jeans or over a shirt. Check its size guide with your preferred layers in mind.

Why customers give such different advice

I love our reviews, partly because our customers don’t always agree with each other, and that tells you something. One customer wrote:

“The sizes are true to what is listed on the website, but for the sweater-jackets, I do wish I had ordered one size up to account for long sleeve shirts worn underneath.”

Another said simply: “Go down from your usual size.”

A third wrote: “I’m 5'8" and weigh 160 pounds. I ordered a medium size. Very roomy and perfectly sized. A small would have been too small and a large too large!”

And a fourth: “I ordered XXL for my husband which is one size larger than usual and it fits well.”

So is anyone wrong? Not at all. Different garments, different proportions and different layering preferences can lead to very different advice.

The construction of a knit can affect its thickness, drape and how it settles with wear, too. But I wouldn’t use that alone as a reason to buy a size smaller. The measurements and guidance for the particular sweater should always come first.

Think of a traditional crew neck as your starting point for a classic, relaxed look. With a cardigan or sweater-jacket, give a little more thought to the shoulders, sleeves and room for whatever you’ll wear underneath. With a lighter sweater, consider whether you want it as a layer under a jacket or as the main event.

Take our bestselling Hooded Aran Zipper Lulu Classic Coat-Available Here. I couldn’t leave this one out! With merino wool, beautifully detailed cable stitches, two side pockets and a snug hood, it’s a lovely option for those who prefer a zip-up layer. The Trinity knot zipper adds a final Celtic touch. Think about whether you’ll wear it over a light top or something thicker, and allow for comfortable movement when it’s zipped.

How to choose your size: five steps

1. Measure a favorite.

Lay a sweater or cardigan you already love flat and measure across the chest, from underarm to underarm. Double that number to get its approximate chest circumference.

Then check what the product’s size guide is measuring. If it gives finished-garment measurements, compare those with your favorite sweater. If it gives body measurements, measure your own chest instead. Comparing like with like makes all the difference.

If you’re replacing a much-loved sweater from a trip to Ireland, our bestselling Women’s Traditional Crew Neck Aran Sweater-Available Here is a wonderful place to begin. Crafted from 100% merino wool, it brings beautiful honeycomb texture to an everyday wardrobe favorite, in a lovely choice of colors. Use the fit of the sweater you already reach for as your reference.

2. Decide how you’ll wear it.

Will you wear your Aran over a light top, a collared shirt or a cozy turtleneck? Leave room for the layers you actually enjoy wearing, rather than choosing a size for an imaginary wardrobe!

3. Read the individual product page.

Check the size guide and any model information provided. Model height, chest measurements and the size worn can be useful extra clues, but your own measurements are the better starting point.

For example, our Men’s Traditional Crew Neck Aran Sweater page lists a model with a 39.5-inch chest wearing a medium. That’s helpful context, not a rule for everyone.

4. Think about the garment if you’re between sizes.

A generously cut crew neck and a closer-fitting cardigan may call for different decisions. If you prefer a neat fit, check how much room the smaller size provides. If layering is the priority, make sure the larger size won’t leave you with shoulders or sleeves that feel too big.

A blanket “always size up” or “always size down” rule won’t serve you nearly as well.

If you love traditional Aran texture but prefer a lighter style, our bestselling Women’s Fisherman Lightweight Crew Neck Heritage Sweater-Available Here is well worth a look. Its honeycomb pattern and colors inspired by the Irish landscape give it that unmistakable Irish feel. Compare it with a lighter sweater you already enjoy wearing rather than your chunkiest winter knit.

5. Buying a gift? Borrow a clue.

Don’t guess from height alone. Check the size label of a sweater they already wear, and, if possible, measure it too. If you’re still unsure, ask us.

That last one matters. One customer wrote: “The sizing was a bit tricky so I reached out to their customer service via email to guide me and they were wonderful.”

There’s no need to turn choosing a sweater into a puzzle you have to solve alone. That’s what The Irish Store Family is here for.

What if you get it wrong?

Sometimes, even after measuring carefully, a sweater simply doesn’t feel the way you hoped. Please don’t let that put you off finding your favorite.

Check our current Free Returns information before ordering, particularly if you’re buying a gift. Keep the sweater in its original condition while you decide, and contact us if you need help with the next step.

One customer put it this way: “I ordered the size L and it was too big. The return was easy when I ordered a M.”

Another wrote: “Beautiful piece - had to return a too small size. Return was seamless.”

If you’re shopping for Irish Christmas Gifts, checking the returns window before you buy can give you a little extra peace of mind. A lovely gift should be a pleasure, not a worry.

Keeping the fit you chose

Once you’ve found your perfect fit, a little gentle care will help you keep it.

Always follow the care instructions for your particular garment. The care guidance for our traditional merino crew necks recommends hand washing in cold water with a mild detergent and laying flat to dry, or using a reputable dry cleaner.

Avoid heat and rough handling, and don’t put those sweaters in the washing machine. Fold your knitwear for storage rather than leaving it hanging, which can stretch the shape.

And remember that a sweater doesn’t necessarily need washing after every wear. A little fresh air can be a lovely way to refresh it between washes.

For another lighter option to enjoy season after season, our bestselling Men’s Fisherman Lightweight Crew Neck Heritage Sweater-Available Here features traditional honeycomb stitching in a range of rich colors. Think about whether you’ll wear it over a shirt or beneath a jacket when choosing your size, then follow its own care instructions to help preserve the fit you love.

A little honesty about the stitch stories

Once you’ve found your size, there’s the pleasure of choosing your stitches.

You may have heard that the cable represents a fisherman’s ropes, or that the honeycomb brings good fortune. These are lovely stories associated with Aran knitwear, and I’ve told them myself.

I prefer to share them as folklore rather than as a documented history of every pattern or family. The craftsmanship is real, the beauty is real, and the affection people feel for these sweaters is certainly real.

Choose the stitch that speaks to you, whatever story draws you to it.

For a different silhouette that still celebrates beautiful Aran stitchwork, our bestselling Women’s Signature Hooded Aran Waterfall Cardigan-Available Here offers a flowing front, a cozy hood and two side pockets, all in merino wool. When comparing sizes, pay attention to the shoulders and sleeves as well as the chest, so the cardigan feels comfortable where it matters.

Finding yours

Buying Aran sweaters online doesn’t have to mean taking a chance and hoping for the best.

Start with your usual size, measure something you already love, read the guidance for the individual garment and think about your layers. Then choose the color and stitches that make you smile.

Whether it’s a traditional crew neck, a lighter heritage sweater or a cozy hooded cardigan, the right Aran should feel like something you’ll reach for again and again.

And if you’re not sure, ask us. That’s what The Irish Store Family is here for.

Slán go fóill!

Lulu.