It’s always fun to see a traditional item of clothing coming back into fashion and this year, it’s the turn of the waistcoat! From the catwalk to the high street, waistcoats are well and truly making a comeback, with new styling ideas to bring them up to date and make them a contemporary choice. Here at Aran Sweater Market, our range of waistcoats includes options for every occasion and budget and we love the designs that demonstrate the very best of Irish craftsmanship and tradition with a modern touch.

Waistcoats or vests are often worn with three and four piece suits, for formal occasions. They offer a flattering option that slims your silhouette and gives you an air of sophistication, and we’ll explore the etiquette of waistcoat wearing here. It’s also great to see that waistcoats are becoming an option for informal occasions and we’ll take a look at some of our more casual waistcoats and how to style them. Waistcoats for women and children are also available in our range and these offer some exciting contemporary twists on traditional waistcoat styles. Read on to find out why waistcoats are such a great addition to your wardrobe this year, and find out which styles will work best for you.

Waistcoats as a Practical Choice

Did you know that wearing a waistcoat in Ireland and the UK has been popular since the 17th century, when King Charles II introduced them to the British courts, which had a major influence on men’s fashion? Waistcoats had been worn in India and Persia for many centuries, however, and the first versions introduced to the West were made from expensive fabrics, including velvet and silk, and embroidered with a great deal of decorative detail. They were a ‘peacock’ fashion item, displaying the wealth and style of their wearers.

Since the 19th century, waistcoats have become more simple and practical, cinching the waist and streamlining the silhouette. Today, we see the waistcoat enduring in formal wear and also beginning to be worn as a casual garment, even worn by teenagers and those in the music scene to make a style statement about alternative culture. And, of course, the Peaky Blinders have popularised the style on the street with Tommy Shelby and his gang wearing the classic waistcoat with a little extra style. Waistcoats are a great choice for fashion and for warmth: your waistcoat will complete your formal look for a special occasion and give you an extra layer in colder weather.

Waistcoat Styles

There are several different waistcoat styles and they can be worn in different ways to suit your mood as well as the occasion. It’s worth trying out the options to find the style you love and don’t forget that you can adapt your waistcoat to create a unique garment that reflects your personality by adding a few additional touches. Styles include:

Single breasted waistcoat. Single breasted waistcoats are very popular and often have five buttons, although they can be tailored to suit your preferences and buttons can be added or removed. Buttons should be evenly spaced and can add detail to your outfit. The hem will usually be tapered or pointed, not straight, which can elongate the torso for a flattering silhouette.

Double breasted waistcoat. The double breasted waistcoat is often seen at special occasions such as weddings, and usually looks more formal than single breasted options. Buttons are in rows, usually three rows so that you have six buttons in total, but it is possible to have more rows, and this can be especially effective if you are taller. Double breasted waistcoats are usually straight across the bottom, rather than tapered, and the extra layering on the front can help to keep you warmer in the winter, too.

Horseshoe waistcoat. A horseshoe waistcoat is a particularly formal style, usually worn with a dinner suit in place of a cummerbund. The deeper opening will make space for formal accessories such as shirt studs, pleats or bibs, and you will find horseshoe waistcoats that are single breasted and double breasted so that you can choose whatever feels best for you.

All of these waistcoat styles are available with or without lapels, and you can really customise your look to make it unique when you find the style you like best. Pockets, linings and even decorative watches are all features that can be customised to suit you and your lifestyle.

Waistcoats We Love

Here at Aran Sweater Market, we have an extensive selection of waistcoats to suit all physiques and budgets, and we are on hand to help you find the best options for you. Here are just a few of our favourites:

Donegal Tweed Waistcoat. This is a true Irish classic, woven using traditional methods to create a timeless look for your special occasions or simply worn casually with blue jeans. The green herringbone tweed is a gorgeous choice that evokes the colours seen in nature in beautiful Donegal, and the satin back and leather buttons accentuate the tweed to perfection. This is a good option for style and warmth and it is a very popular choice with our customers around the world.

Tweed Herringbone Waistcoat. We love this traditional style with its classy pocket detail and quality lining, designed to adjust to fit with a belt tie closure and adjustable buckled tab. It can be dressed up or down to suit your style and the occasion and you can pair it with one of our great looking grandfather shirts for a standout look. Versatility is the key here, and you can choose from four colours that are inspired by the natural shades of the beautiful countryside around us.

Irish Tweed Herringbone Waistcoat in Charcoal and Red. If you feel that men’s fashion is sometimes limited to plain, unimaginative styles, you’ll love this stunning fabric that will ensure you stand out from the crowd. The traditional herringbone tweed is woven from 100% wool by master craftspeople at Mucros Weavers in Killarney, and the timeless look is brought right up to date with this fantastic colour combination. This waistcoat has two front pockets and an adjustable belt, so it can be styled to suit you for casual every day wear or for any special occasion.

Aran Wool Tweed Waistcoat with Revere. This is a unique design that is reminiscent of the styles that first came from the Aran Islands, where our beautiful statement sweaters originated from. It’s a classic Irish design in a traditional green tweed that reflects the colours of the Irish landscape and has practical working pockets and a stylish revere. It’s a great way to layer up all year round, especially for those early starts and the times of year when the seasons begin to turn. With three button fastening at the front to complement the revere buttons, you’ll find this is an item you’ll reach for again and again.

Burns Wool Tweed Waistcoat. We love this men’s Irish tweed waistcoat that is designed in a classic style, with full cloth back and front, functional pockets and full lining. It’s a warm, comfortable choice that will look great all year round, with six buttons to close and a belted back so it’s fully adjustable. All of our waistcoats at Aran Sweater Market are created with care, and we focus on style and comfort, ensuring that you turn heads for all the right reasons. We are always happy to help you find a style you love and we recommend trying as many styles as possible before you buy as you may be surprised by something you didn’t expect to like!

Aran Island Melton Waistcoat. If you’re looking for something a little different, you’ll love this traditional design from the Aran Islands that is expertly woven with traditional Melton cloth. Melton cloth is woven in a twill style, which gives it a felt-like smooth texture, and this waistcoat features a full cloth back and leather buttons, so it’s a warm and comfortable choice that stands out for its quality. We love the flexibility of traditional garments such as this, and you can style it up or down to suit your lifestyle.

Men’s V-Neck Wool Waistcoat. This wool sweater vest, or knitted waistcoat, is a great option to keep you warm all year round and it’s made in Ireland from 100% Merino Wool. We love the textured Honeycomb and Cable stitches that decorate this unique item, with the honeycomb stitch believed to bring luck to the wearer. It’s the perfect choice for layering up and even features pockets as a practical touch. You can choose from several gorgeous colours, all of which reflect the beautiful tones of the Irish countryside, and you’ll soon find that this is a firm favourite in your wardrobe.

Waistcoats can be worn everyday or to add the finishing touch to your outfit for special events. If you’re choosing waistcoats for a wedding party, you can find everything you need in store, including waistcoats for children so that your younger pageboys and ushers will fit right in. Our experienced staff will be happy to help you with your selection and will ensure that everyone finds a waistcoat that fits and looks fantastic.

Waistcoats for Women

Our collection includes many stunning waistcoats for women, and these are becoming a very popular fashion choice. We have seen this trend growing in recent years with the emergence of icons such as Jo March in the Oscar-winning Little Women and the strong female lead in Gentleman Jack, played by Suranne Jones. These examples both adopt men’s waistcoats to make a statement about their power roles, but the crossover into popular fashion for women also embraces the softer, more practical styles with longer lines.

We love the Cable Aran Waistcoat, made from 100% Merino wool, featuring complex cable stitching and cable twist. This style of waistcoat is worn open, and is a warm and cosy addition to your wardrobe, and the pockets are a practical, contemporary addition. We love the longer fit that looks great with jeans, a casual shirt and boots, or over a long sleeved t-shirt. Caring for your Aran knitwear is essential in order to maintain its shape correctly, and we can help with washing instructions to ensure that your waistcoat, sweater or cardigan remains a staple piece in your wardrobe for many years to come.

For a more formal, stylised look, the Ladies Irish Tweed Waistcoat in black and grey herringbone is an elegant choice that is inspired by traditional Irish craftsmanship. It features a striking panelled design with printed lining, handmade in Ireland, and tailored to perfection. We love this look for special occasions or styled for every day wear, and we’ll be delighted to help you find the best fit for you when you visit us in store.

Discover Our Waistcoats at Aran Sweater Market

You can find our full selection of waistcoats on our website and in store, and our friendly team will be happy to help you explore the different styles and find the best fit for you. Whether you’re looking for a waistcoat to wear with a suit for a special occasion or a casual style waistcoat to brighten up your wardrobe, you’ll find exactly what you want in our range and you can explore our custom options to create something truly unique.

We also have an extensive range of Aran sweaters and cardigans, heirloom items and homewares, including beautiful blankets and shawls you’ll love. Our items for children and babies are very special and make wonderful gifts, and we’ll be delighted to welcome you to our stores in the Aran Islands, Galway, Killarney or Dublin to find out more. Our mission is to protect traditional Irish craftsmanship, preserving the skills of our ancestors for future generations. We are proud to source the very best quality items that reflect the heritage of our wonderful part of the world, and we can’t wait to share our catalogue with you.