Men's Aran Shawl-collar Cardigan
In just a century since they first appeared, the textured wool sweaters of the Aran Islands have become “as tenacious an international symbol of Ireland as the harp and shamrock,” writes fashion historian Deirdre McQuillan. It wasn’t until the home crafts movement in the early 1900s that Aran’s distinctive patterns became known around the world. Today, from tourist shops to fashion shows, one can find sweaters based on stitches that were invented by grandmothers and great-grandmothers only a few generations ago.
100% wool with brown resin buttons. Made in Ireland. Men’s sizes M (38–40), L (42–44), XL (46–48), XXL (50–52).
Dry clean.
In just a century since they first appeared, the textured wool sweaters of the Aran Islands have become “as tenacious an international symbol of Ireland as the harp and Shamrock,” writes historian Dierdre McQuillan. Women on these small, craggy islands in the mouth of Galway Bay had always made clothing by hand, but it wasn’t until the home crafts movement at the end of the 19th century that this practical skill blossomed into an iconic design known around the world. Then as now, the sale of handcrafts was encouraged as a way to continue local traditions and bring extra income into poor farming and fishing communities. Knitters from Donegal, the Channel Islands, and even emigrants returning from America traded techniques, and sweater patterns became more complicated as local women worked together to master new stitches.
National Geographic first commented on the sweaters in a 1931 article, referring to “the blue jersey of the fisherman.” Eventually white became the most popular color for Aran sweaters, and many children on the islands wore a design made just for them for their first holy communion. Early efforts at exporting sweaters through nearby Galway were a challenge until the craftswomen got the hang of standardized sizes rather than knitting for the way their family members were built.
Today, from tourist shops to fashion shows, one can find sweaters based on stitches that were invented by grandmothers and great-grandmothers only a couple of generations ago: cables, diamonds, blackberry stitch, crooked road, half-eights, bird’s eye, honeycomb, and many more. As they say on the islands, Go máire tú is go gcaithe thé—May you live and wear it well.
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 14 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
83%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Stylish (9)
- High quality (8)
- Warm (7)
- Comfortable (5)
- Versatile (5)
Cons
- Itchy material (4)
Best Uses
- Casual wear (9)
- Everyday (6)
- Going out (6)
- Travel (4)
- Chest Size:
Feels too small
Feels true to size
80%
(8 reviews)
Feels too big
- Length:
Feels too short
Feels true to length
70%
(7 reviews)
Feels too long
- Sleeve Length:
Feels too short
Feels true to length
70%
(7 reviews)
Feels too long
- Reviewer Profile:
- Classic style (4), Comfort-oriented (4), Practical (4), Stylish (4), High-end shopper (3)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (5), Yes (4)
Most Liked Positive Review
Very well made in Ireland; a classic!
This is a classic sweater in the button up cardigan style, made in Ireland by Carraig Donn, a highly regarded maker of Aran sweaters and other wool garments. It's highly versatile: It can ...Read complete review
This is a classic sweater in the button up cardigan style, made in Ireland by Carraig Donn, a highly regarded maker of Aran sweaters and other wool garments. It's highly versatile: It can be worn with a dress shirt and tie in all but formal business environments, yet it looks equally good with a black T-shirt and jeans. The sweater is 100% wool. As such, it has the best properties of wool, such as warmth and moisture-wicking. I find it ideal for use in the 35-55 degree Farenheit range, with no jacket on top of the sweater. (For lower temperatures, a jacket over it would work fine). Note that it does not have any man-made fibers such as acrylic or nylon; some makers make their sweaters with 10-20% of these fibers to lower costs, but they also can have the advantage of adding strength or helping a sweater keep its form. Bottom line: Very high quality, made with nothing but pure new wool -- but you do have to treat it nicely (dry cleaning is best, as is keeping it folded and away from moths!) The only (minor) negatives about this item are: Because it's 100% new wool, it is a bit itchy against exposed skin - but not a problem at all so long as you wear long sleeves underneath. Also, the buttoms are resin. Hardwood would make it a real classic, but also much more expensive and the resin buttons are almost indistinguishable from hardwood unless you examine them closely. All in all, a very nice item that you won't easily find unless you travel to Ireland. It's worth the price, as it will probably last 10 or 15 years if you take care of it.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Too small
We ordered the medium charcoal color, it was shipped in the white, we sent it back, we got the charcoal, but the medium was too small. We then ordered a large, this ...Read complete review
We ordered the medium charcoal color, it was shipped in the white, we sent it back, we got the charcoal, but the medium was too small. We then ordered a large, this was also too small. So now we await an ex large. The medium white one fit just perfectly, I don't understand. Anyway, I ordered this back in NOvember of 2012 for a christmas gift, My husband has NOT been able to wear his christmas gift due to this!
Reviewed by 14 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-10
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Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Men's Aran Shawl-collar Cardigan:
Shawl does not naturally fold wide
- Chest Size:
- Feels true to size
- Length:
- Feels true to length
- Sleeve Length:
- Feels too long
Pros
- High Quality
- Stylish
Cons
Best Uses
- Casual Wear
Comments about Men's Aran Shawl-collar Cardigan:
This is oversize. I ordered medium, but looks like extra large. It was too big for my Freind who wears large
- Chest Size:
- Feels too big
- Length:
- Feels too long
- Sleeve Length:
- Feels too long
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Color
- Stylish
Cons
- Doesn't Button High
- Itchy Material
- Pockets Not Deep
Best Uses
- Casual Wear
Comments about Men's Aran Shawl-collar Cardigan:
For the money, I wish I had bought something different. Pockets aren't deep, material is very scratchy, and doesn't button that high.
- Chest Size:
- Feels true to size
- Length:
- Feels too long
- Sleeve Length:
- Feels true to length
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- High Quality
- Stylish
- Versatile
- Warm
Cons
Best Uses
- Casual Wear
- Everyday
- Formal Events
- Going Out
Comments about Men's Aran Shawl-collar Cardigan:
We ordered the medium charcoal color, it was shipped in the white, we sent it back, we got the charcoal, but the medium was too small. We then ordered a large, this was also too small. So now we await an ex large. The medium white one fit just perfectly, I don't understand. Anyway, I ordered this back in NOvember of 2012 for a christmas gift, My husband has NOT been able to wear his christmas gift due to this!
- Chest Size:
- Feels too small
- Length:
- Feels too short
- Sleeve Length:
- Feels too short
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Seems Well Made
Cons
- Amazing That Ng Sell This
- Dry Cleaning Did Not Work
- Smell Is As If From Farm
- Sweater Smells Badly
- Would Not Buy Again
Best Uses
Comments about Men's Aran Shawl-collar Cardigan:
Not sure I will be able to use product without multiple dry cleaning cycles and it is not yet clear if that will work.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Comfortable
- High Quality
- Stylish
- Warm
Cons
- Itchy Material
Best Uses
- Casual Wear
- Everyday
Comments about Men's Aran Shawl-collar Cardigan:
Warm and stylish on those cool fall eveings or sitting around the fire readng a book.
- Chest Size:
- Feels true to size
- Length:
- Feels true to length
- Sleeve Length:
- Feels true to length
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Comfortable
- High Quality
- Leather buttons
- Stylish
- Two pockets
- Versatile
- Warm
Cons
- Have to dryclean
- Itchy Material
Best Uses
- Casual Wear
- Everyday
- Formal Events
- Going Out
- Good syle for all
- Travel
Comments about Men's Aran Shawl-collar Cardigan:
I bought this for a dear sweet man who is suffering from cancer. He's generally chilly in his big house, so this will keep him warm.
- Chest Size:
- Feels true to size
- Length:
- Feels true to length
- Sleeve Length:
- Feels true to length
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Comfortable
- High Quality
- Stylish
- Versatile
- Warm
Cons
Best Uses
- Casual Wear
- Going Out
- Travel
Comments about Men's Aran Shawl-collar Cardigan:
A wonderful product.
Color perfect for product.
Great style and comfortable.
More versatility than a normal sweater.
This would look proper with a shirt a tie for
many functions.
- Chest Size:
- Feels true to size
- Length:
- Feels true to length
- Sleeve Length:
- Feels true to length
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Classic style
- High Quality
- Stylish
- Warm
Cons
- Itchy Material
- Too exact
Best Uses
- Casual Wear
- Everyday
- Going Out
Comments about Men's Aran Shawl-collar Cardigan:
The sweater is beautiful, but a little true to size. Order it a size larger for comfort.
- Chest Size:
- Feels true to size
- Length:
- Feels true to length
- Sleeve Length:
- Feels true to length
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Comments about Men's Aran Shawl-collar Cardigan:
This is a classic sweater in the button up cardigan style, made in Ireland by Carraig Donn, a highly regarded maker of Aran sweaters and other wool garments. It's highly versatile: It can be worn with a dress shirt and tie in all but formal business environments, yet it looks equally good with a black T-shirt and jeans. The sweater is 100% wool. As such, it has the best properties of wool, such as warmth and moisture-wicking. I find it ideal for use in the 35-55 degree Farenheit range, with no jacket on top of the sweater. (For lower temperatures, a jacket over it would work fine). Note that it does not have any man-made fibers such as acrylic or nylon; some makers make their sweaters with 10-20% of these fibers to lower costs, but they also can have the advantage of adding strength or helping a sweater keep its form. Bottom line: Very high quality, made with nothing but pure new wool -- but you do have to treat it nicely (dry cleaning is best, as is keeping it folded and away from moths!) The only (minor) negatives about this item are: Because it's 100% new wool, it is a bit itchy against exposed skin - but not a problem at all so long as you wear long sleeves underneath. Also, the buttoms are resin. Hardwood would make it a real classic, but also much more expensive and the resin buttons are almost indistinguishable from hardwood unless you examine them closely. All in all, a very nice item that you won't easily find unless you travel to Ireland. It's worth the price, as it will probably last 10 or 15 years if you take care of it.
Displaying reviews 1-10
Previous | Next »
From National Geographic:Thank you for taking the time to share your comments about this sweater. We regret that it did not live up to your expectations. We wish to explain that wool is a natural, unprocessed product. It retains natural oils, and these may give off an odor. In many ways, that is proof of the wool's authenticity. The odor should diminish quickly with wear, time, and exposure to fresh air and cleaning. You may wish to spray the sweater with a bit of freshener or place it in your dryer on the fluff/cool cycle with a sheet of fabric softener. You may find other methods online for treating wool. If you prefer not to keep the item, please contact our customer service team at NGCatalog@ngs.org.