Although fashions come and go, the most on-trend people know that some wardrobe staples remain timeless classics, whatever else is in vogue. Traditional Irish men’s styles have changed very little for many years, with artisan heritage pieces firmly woven into the fabric of current looks. At Aran Sweater Market, we provide a wide range of men’s clothing that balances tradition with up-to-the-minute fashion, specialising in beautifully crafted items that never go out of style. Here is our guide to timeless men’s fashion styles in Ireland.
Traditional Irish men’s clothing
Wearing a more traditional style of clothing makes sense for many reasons. It ensures that, rather than being led by flash-in-the-pan trends that soon go out of date, you will always look your best. It’s also kinder on your wallet – investing in a few pieces to become the foundations of your wardrobe makes sense when those pieces will look great for many years to come. The environment will also thank you – the impact of fast fashion is devastating for the natural world, whereas artisan clothing made from natural fibres leaves much less of a footprint to start with, lasts much longer, and when it can no longer be worn, it will easily biodegrade.
So you’ve decided to explore traditional Irish men’s fashion for all these reasons, but where to start?
A short history of Irish men’s clothing
The phrase ‘traditional Irish clothing’ may be slightly misleading. If you are thinking about the clothes worn for Irish dancing, don’t panic! There is a lot more going on here than kilts, green and Celtic symbols. Ireland is rich in a history of artisan craftspeople creating the objects of everyday life – from woodworking and basket weaving to spinning yarn and knitting wool. Items were usually made out of necessity, and with Aran the need was for fishermen to keep warm while enduring high seas and hard work. The fisherwives of the Aran Islands developed their special style in order to look after their menfolk, but all the essential qualities work wonderfully well in the modern day: clothing that is hardwearing and practical, yet speaks of the wild natural beauty of the Irish landscape. Handmade care is woven in to each line of stitches.
The Aran Sweater Market guide to traditional Irish style
The sweater
A staple of every man’s wardrobe, the irish sweater is a great place to start. Think traditional Aran knits in classic colors such as woolen neutrals that will match everything from a pair of jeans to shorts for the beach. A great example is an Aran Sweater Market men’s cable knit crew neck Aran wool sweater. Worn for centuries by the fishermen of Ireland, the style was popularized by Vogue in the 1950s and has never been out of style. Combining the finest quality natural materials with a rugged glamour, this sweater features the diamond, honeycomb, and cable knitting patterns of the Aran tradition said to bring good luck and success to the wearer!
The cardigan
A cardigan gives a more flexible approach to layering than a sweater. Our merino wool Aran men’s v-neck cardigan gives a fantastic range of options, as you can wear it open in warmer weather, or do up the buttons for a v-neck look. The rugged look is offset by super soft merino fabric, making this piece a real pleasure to wear. The temperature regulating properties of merino ensure this cardigan can be enjoyed year round, while the anti-bacterial nature of merino means it is easy to care for, even for the most outdoorsy lifestyle.
The shirt
A grandfather shirt is a classic example of traditional Irish style. Giving a nod to historical trends, this is a firm contemporary favourite, with the Aran Sweater Market collarless grandfather shirt featuring super soft brushed cotton, making it as comfortable as it is stylish.
This piece is available in a range of colours, from go-anywhere white to beautiful neutrals stone and cloud, to army green, ink and motor black, and even stripes – a shade for every outfit.
The linen
Irish linen is famous worldwide for its quality. Every man should select some Irish linen for his wardrobe. At Aran Sweater Market, our range of Irish linen includes beautifully tailored shirts that speak of luxury and the finest craftsmanship. Unparalleled softness combines with excellent durability to create a clothing classic. Our classic Irish pure linen shirt in white will take you from beach to bar, casual event to meeting, looking your very best. And the breathability of the natural fabric will leave you feeling as good as you look! As an investment piece, linen is unrivalled, as it only improves and softens with age, so care for your linen carefully and it will last you a lifetime.
The coat
There are several styles of coat that give a traditional Irish vibe, but perhaps the most popular is the wax jacket. Speaking of wild Irish countryside, days spent walking, the romance of fierce weather and outdoor adventure, this type of coat is as practical as it is good looking. At Aran Sweater Market we stock several variations on the wax jacket theme, including the Carrickfergus men’s wax jacket in olive. This perennial favourite never loses its charm because of its timeless style as well as its excellent practicality. Ideal for the active outdoorsman, the water repellent fabric guards against sudden showers, while the PrimaLoft insulation will keep you snug.
The accessories
Every outfit needs a finishing touch, and here at Aran Sweater Market we have a fantastic range of traditional style Irish accessories to give you the perfect look. Irish tweed is a favourite fabric, paying homage to centuries of artisan tradition but styled with contemporary flair. Our Irish tweed caps and hats come in modern baseball cap styles as well as classic the classic skipper cap shape, perfect for walking or getting out on the water. Our Kerry tweed and leather gloves are both practical and stylish, whether you are driving or walking in cold weather. The tweed bow tie can elevate any evening outfit, while our long neckties in a variety of different tweeds are the perfect accessory for the office or in the evening. A very popular gifting choice is our tweed hip flask!
Whatever your lifestyle, traditional Irish men’s style caters to all. At Aran Sweater Market, our premium selection of beautifully crafted Irish clothing provides you with all you need to step out in enduring, sustainable, and stunning traditional Irish style.
