The Only Guide You Need for Buying Irish Sweaters

Hi everyone. Happy Friday! One of my favorite things about running The Irish Store is helping our customers all over the world choose their perfect Irish sweater so I'm finishing up the week with this guide to help you do exactly that. 

Shop Aran Sweaters Here

The easiest shortcut I can give you is this: start with the styles thousands of other customers already love.

So instead of overwhelming you with options, this guide is built around our five of our bestsellers. I'll tell you what makes each one special, who it suits best, and how to get the fit right first time.

What to look for when buying an Irish sweater

Before you choose a style, check these four things. Every sweater on my bestseller list ticks all of them.

1. Made in Ireland. Many "Irish-style" sweaters are made elsewhere. Look for "Made in Ireland" on the product page.
2. Quality, comfortable wool. Soft merino or pure wool keeps you warm without the itch many people remember from childhood sweaters.
3. Authentic Aran stitches. Cable, honeycomb, diamond, trellis and Tree of Life stitches each carry a meaning from Aran Islands folklore, and they're the mark of a genuine Aran design.
4. A style that fits your life. A classic crew neck, a smart half zip or a cozy hooded cardigan will each get worn differently, so think about where you'll wear it most.

The Irish Store's Top 5 Irish sweaters

These five are the sweaters and cardigans our customers come back for again and again. Each one is made in Ireland, rated highly by the people who've bought it, and designed with real Aran heritage.

1. Women's Traditional Crew Neck Aran Sweater-Available Here

Best for: the classic Irish look, and anyone buying their first Aran.

The Women's Traditional Crew Neck Aran Sweater is our all-time number one bestselling Aran sweater. It's unashamedly traditional, with the lucky honeycomb stitch taking center stage. In Aran Islands folklore, the honeycomb represents the hard-working honey bee and wishes the wearer plenty and good fortune.

Wear it with your favorite jeans for a timeless fall and winter look.

2. Men's Signature Half Zip Irish Wool Sweater-Available Here

Best for: smart-casual dressing and Irish gifts for him.

The Men's Signature Half Zip Irish Wool Sweater pairs age-old Aran craft with a fresh, modern shape, and it's rated 4.8 stars from more than 600 reviews. It combines three iconic stitches: the trellis for the stone-walled fields of the islands, the cable for the fisherman's ropes, and the Tree of Life with its wishes for a long and happy life.

The ribbed collar and smart tan leather zip pull make it easy to dress up or down.

3. Women's Signature Hooded Aran Waterfall Cardigan-Available Here

Best for: effortless, flattering style you can throw on over anything.

The Women's Signature Hooded Aran Waterfall Cardigan is one of our highest-rated pieces with perennial 5 star review from happy customers. The open waterfall front is soft and flattering, while authentic Aran stitch patterns give it real Irish character.

A snug hood and two cozy side pockets make it as practical as it is pretty. Team it with jeans and boots for a classic casual look.

4. Men's Heritage Aran Shawl Collar Button Cardigan-Available Here

Best for: the man who wants a classic he'll wear for years, and one of our most popular gifts for him.

The Men's Heritage Aran Shawl Collar Button Cardigan is another 5 star customer favorite. Its main stitch is the diamond, a depiction of the fisherman's nets and a wish for a plentiful catch, filled with moss stitch named after the carrageen moss the islanders gathered from the Atlantic shore.

It fastens into a classic V-neck with traditional football buttons, with a neat shawl collar and two front pockets to keep out the chill.

5. Women's Signature Aran Celtic Zipper Hooded Cardigan-Available Here

Best for: an on-trend Aran with a Celtic twist.

The Women's Signature Aran Celtic Zipper Hooded Cardigan is one of my personal favorites, combining Aran craft with modern styling. The classic honeycomb stitch takes centre stage to wish the wearer good fortune, while a side zip fastening gives it a distinctly modern shape.

The finishing touch is a Trinity knot zip pull, a little piece of Celtic design you'll notice every time you wear it.

Getting the fit right, and making it last

The simplest way to choose your size is to lay a sweater you already love flat, measure across the chest from armpit to armpit, and compare it with the size chart on the product page. Keep in mind that some of our women's styles, including the Traditional Crew Neck, are unisex and based on men's sizing, so I recommend sizing down. You'll find every measurement in our Size Guide here

Looking after your sweater is easy. Hand wash it in cold water with a mild wool detergent or take it to a dry cleaner, dry it flat, and store it folded rather than on a hanger. For more tips, check out my blog How to Care for Your Aran Sweater: Our Top Tips.

Buying an Irish sweater shouldn't feel complicated. Choose one that's made in Ireland, in soft wool you'll love to wear, with a style that suits your life, and you can't go far wrong. If you're still not sure, start with one of these five. Thousands of our customers already have.

Browse our full collection of  Aran sweaters for even more styles. Everything ships directly from Ireland to your door worldwide. 

Slán go fóill,

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