An Aran sweater is a classic piece of clothing that is made using traditional techniques and knitting patterns that originated in Ireland more than a century ago. The beauty of the Aran sweater is that it effortlessly preserves the classic style and documents life in the Aran Islands, as well as being a cosy and stylish garment that is great to wear all year round.

Aran knitwear features unique and intricate stitching that makes the wool sweaters, cardigans and ponchos stand out for their quality and design, and you can dress up your Aran clothing to create the perfect look for any occasion. The accessories you choose will determine your style and ensure you are perfectly dressed for anything from a winter walk on the beach to a weekend away or a formal event. Read on to find out more about the best way to accessorise your Aran Sweater.

 

What Works Well With Aran?

When you’re accessorising your Aran knitwear, you’ll be glad to know that we’ve got you covered. The ideal accessories include scarves, hats and jewellery and we have a great selection to choose from. We also recommend experimenting with bags, belts and shoes, and we are here to share our top tips and show off our favourite accessories so that you can co-ordinate your outfit for every occasion.

The first step is to think about the event you are dressing for. If it’s a casual day in the office, you’ll have a very different look in mind than if you’re planning for a weekend bbq with friends or a cosy winter walk through the woods. Once you’ve determined the level of formality you are dressing for, you’ll have a better idea of the look you want to create, and you’ll be able to consider the different options for accessorising your outfit.

 

Accessories We Love

An Aran sweater is a versatile, cosy option for all weather, and we love the traditional style that holds echoes of the Aran Islanders who first made these sweaters more than a hundred years ago. In the winter, an Aran sweater is a great choice because the layers of wool stitching are designed to provide extra insulation. However, in the spring and summer, the wool helps to keep the body cool by wicking away sweat and allowing the body to breathe. In their earliest incarnations, these sweaters were created to keep the fishermen and farmers warm while they worked, and today they are the garment of choice for anyone taking a boat trip or cosying up by the fire.

The Aran sweater features in many seasonal films, including the Christmas classic, The Holiday. This gives us a good opportunity to notice the styling of the classic Aran sweater for the Hollywood dream of a winter in Aran. In this film, Cameron Diaz sports a natural white Aran sweater, having set aside the outfit she arrived in, which consists of a more fitted turtleneck with black skinny jeans and stiletto heels. Her Aran cable sweater, presented as a comfortable choice for relaxation while she enjoys some delicious snacks, features traditional stitching patterns and is simply accessorised with a beanie hat and soft scarf at this point in the movie. We love this style, similar to our Heavyweight Merino Wool Aran Sweater, for its laid back chic vibe and comfortable edge.

 

Dressing for the Season

As with our festive favourites, getting it right for the season is an important step in winning the accessorising game. Wool helps the wearer to regulate their temperature, so it’s ideal for layering up and will keep you feeling prepared for anything, all year round. We love this gorgeous Waterfall Cable Cardigan, which is the perfect way to protect yourself against the evening chills on a summer day and can be layered over a vest top and jeans or linen trousers for a classic summer look. The accessories you need here are simple: sunglasses and an understated belt. The key to getting your summer look right is ensuring that you look put together without including too many different elements - one of the joys of warmer weather is not needing to wear as much! Simple stud earrings look great here, and will make it easier to enjoy your fun in the sun without having to worry about losing your precious accessories or over-complicating your outfit.

When it’s cold, you can bring Aran style into your life with a gorgeous jacket or coatigan, such as this Trellis Aran Coat with large collar. The decorative buttons go some way to accessorising this flattering coat, and you can finish off the look with a beanie hat or a Newsboy Hat such as this. A hat is a great way to add a touch of personality to your outfit, and you can be as daring as you like with the colour here. It’ll also help to keep you warm on the cold, winter days and you can be sure that you’re turning heads for all the right reasons.

 

From Scarves to Jewellery

Deciding on accessories can be difficult when there is so much choice, and the versatility of your Aran sweater means it can be styled to go with most options. Our favourite accessory ideas include:

 

1. Scarves

One of the delights of the winter season is wrapping up warm in a cosy scarf, and this is a wonderful way to accessorise your Aran sweater, too. Infinity Scarves are a practical choice that look great and keep you snug all day long, and this Ladies Super Soft Aran Infinity Scarf is available in a selection of beautiful colours so that you can put together the outfit of your dreams more easily.

The Narrow Lambswool Scarf is a stylish choice for a more formal occasion, and we love the grey herringbone, which is inspired by the Tipperary countryside. This looks fantastic with a classic Aran sweater and tailored trousers, creating a sophisticated, understated look. Alternatively, you can add a bit of colour and interest to a simple outfit with a cosy option like this Wool Donegal Scarf, designed and woven in Ireland.

 

2. Hats

Hats are just the thing when you want to bring some individuality to your outfit, and making the right choice for every occasion is simple. When you’re out and about, enjoying time in the countryside or popping into a country pub, you can’t beat a beanie or bobble hat such as this Aran Bobble Hat with fur bobble. It’s the perfect choice to top off an Aran sweater or cardigan and you can choose from several great colours to co-ordinate your look.

A wool felt hat, like our Ladies Boston Jack Wool Felt Hat, is a striking choice that oozes fun and personality. This hat is water repellent so it’s a great choice for all weathers, and the genuine leather band provides all the accessorising you need. A Newsboy cap, popularised by the newspaper sellers of 1920s New York, is a popular accessory all year round and this Ladies Tweed Newsboy Hat shows why. These are classy, stylish hats that will look great with any Aran knitwear, and the only difficult bit is choosing which gorgeous colour blend you like best!

 

3. Jewellery

Carefully selected jewellery can complete an outfit, and we love the Celtic range in sterling silver, inspired by the ancient legends and symbols that are so important to Irish culture. This Sterling Silver Plain Trinity Knot Ring is a classic silver ring that makes an excellent talking point, crafted to reflect ancient Irish designs. It’s a delicate ring inspired by the Celtic Trinity Knot, or Triskell, which represents earth, air and water, and will complement your outfit on any occasion.

A pendant is a great way to accessorise your Aran sweater and add an extra element to your outfit, and the Rhodium Connemara Marble Tear Drop Pendant is a beautiful design that showcases Ireland’s Gem Stone, Connemara Marble. This stone is estimated to be over 900 million years old, with a variety of green colour tones unique to the natural limestone on Ireland’s Atlantic Coast.

 

4. Bags

A bag is a practical accessory and you’ll need to consider the size carefully to ensure you can carry all the things you need for your day or evening. Having a selection of small and larger bags will give you options, and it’s always handy to be able to coordinate your colours or add a pop of colour and interest with a bag in a daring shade if your outfit is monochrome. The Emily Tweed & Leather Bag is a wardrobe essential with two zipper compartments, giving you plenty of space for everything you need for the office or a day in town. The detachable leather strap gives you options for a versatile look, and the understated grey herringbone tweed pattern stands out as a classy option.

If you’re going for a casual look, a crossbody bag is a nice touch, and if you’re dressing for a formal occasion, you can’t beat a smart clutch. The Fiona Tweed Bag is an incredibly stylish choice, especially in this stunning mustard colour. It can be worn as a shoulder bag or clutch to complement your outfit, and we love this as an accessory for a classic Aran sweater with skinny jeans, ankle boots and a well chosen pair of earrings. Simplicity is everything when you want to make a statement, and this look will soon become one of your favourites.

 

5. Shoes

The shoes you wear can make or break an outfit, and classic ankle boots are usually our go-to choice for the stunning Aran sweater and denim jeans combo. If you’re wearing an oversized sweater or Aran dress, you’ll have the option of wearing longer boots and you may also wish to belt your sweater or dress with a belt in the same colour as your shoes.

If you’re embracing a casual look, sneakers will be a good option with cargo trousers or sweatpants, or if you’re wearing leggings, you may want to wear Ugg-style boots for the ultimate in comfort wear. Wearing your Aran sweater over a dress or skirt for a more formal look might mean you want to introduce heels, and a boot with a stiletto heel is a popular choice for workwear or for an evening occasion.

 

Accessories for Men

You’ll have noticed that we have focused on womenswear here, but there are also plenty of accessories for men in our range and you will find the perfect options for the man in your life, whatever he’s dressing for. We love the statement rings in our men’s jewellery range, including Celtic Knot rings and Claddagh rings, and these are another reflection of the Irish heritage that Aran sweaters epitomise.

We also have an impressive range of scarves, including smart Herringbone designs and the luxurious Islander Scarf, made from the finest Alpaca wool. And of course, the hats in our selection are a very popular accessory with men, especially those who wish to channel that Peaky Blinders vibe. Take a look at our driving caps, flat caps and Newsboy caps and you’ll agree that the hardest part is choosing between the stylish designs.

 

 

Accessorising Your Aran Sweater In Style

To find authentic, beautiful Aran sweaters, you can browse our full collection on our website or visit one of our stores, located in the Aran Islands, Galway, Killarney or Dublin. We have a beautiful selection of cardigans, jackets, sweaters and ponchos for everyone and we are committed to preserving the traditional skills and techniques that our artisan producers use to create these unique garments.

Take your time exploring our range of accessories and find the perfect scarves, jewellery, hats and bags to create the style you love with your Aran Knitwear. We believe that our collection perfectly reflects our Irish heritage and the Celtic influence is clear to see in many of our items. We also stock a range of homewares and gifts that will become family heirlooms when you choose to share them with your nearest and dearest this year.