What sweater would you add to your wardrobe right now? A staff report on choosing an Aran knit

This winter has been warmer than usual. Just when we thought, "maybe winter cold isn't so bad after all," the new year brought a sharp drop in temperature, reminding us that winter really is cold.

Since we made it this far without buying an extra thick sweater this winter, a few of us on the ZUTTO staff have found ourselves at a loss for something warm enough to wear now that the cold has set in.

This time, together with a staff member who was struggling to choose a thick sweater, we're going to focus on key points like【itchiness, silhouette, and weight】as we search for "the knit to add to your wardrobe right now."

"Now that the new year has brought colder weather, I'm not sure what kind of sweater to buy right now."

Thinking about what kind of top makes sense to buy right now, in the new year, we arrived at something like this:

・Thick and sturdy enough to keep out the cold with just one layer

・Not subject to trends, and durable enough to wear again next winter and beyond

Among the many knits featured at ZUTTO, we decided to focus this time on Aran knits, as they are "warm," "not subject to passing trends," and "durable."

Why Aran knits?

Aran knits are knitwear made with thick, sturdy wool yarn, originating from the Aran Islands off the coast of Ireland. Originally they had no fashion purpose at all—they were simply "work clothes" worn by Irish fishermen heading out to sea in harsh cold conditions.

Just hearing "winter sea" is enough to imagine the cold, but in the punishing working conditions of being battered by strong Atlantic winds and exposed to freezing seawater, Aran knits were hand-knit by families at home to protect the men in such conditions.

Knitwear stitches come in various patterns such as cable knit and honeycomb, but these were not created for appearance's sake—they served a functional purpose, layering the yarn to create thicker, warmer patterns (stitches).

In this way, the original pursuit of warmth to protect lives can still be seen even in Aran knits that have since become simplified for fashion purposes, and the element of a thick, warm sweater has been preserved to this day.

There also seems to be a desire among staff, when acquiring a new knit midwinter, to choose something different from the usual staples like a plain crew neck sweater or turtleneck.

Trying on and choosing from 3 brands, 4 styles.

Now, let's pick out four Aran knits and compare them.

Our staff member's requests were:

・Not too itchy (she describes her tolerance for itchiness as "average")

・Something with a different feel from what she'd normally choose herself (she usually leans toward simple, plain designs)

・Thick is good, but since her shoulders are broad, something that won't make her upper body look large

Since white is the quintessential color for Aran knits, we compared all the sweaters in the same shade of white. Gathering four Aran knits together like this made the differences between them very clear.

First, let's line up how each one looks when worn. (The staff member is 158cm tall, with a slim upper body and slightly square shoulders.)

You can really see the differences in volume, length, and stitch pattern. Let's take a closer look at each one, including fit and texture.

1. Athena Designs Honeycomb Sweater BACK LONG

First up is the most voluminous option, the【Honeycomb Sweater BACK LONG】from Athena Designs.

Compared to the other Aran knits, the yarn is thicker, and you can see how the stitches stand up firmly, giving it more volume.

Athena Designs is a long-established Irish hand-knit brand dating back to the 1890s, upholding the tradition of hand knitting by skilled knitters. Of the three brands featured this time, it can be considered the most traditional Aran knit maker. The sweater's tag bears the name of the knitter who made it, which conveys a sense of pride and responsibility in the craftsmanship—and thinking about who in Ireland knit it makes you want to cherish it all the more.

★Staff impressions after trying it on

"I was surprised at how warm it felt the moment I put it on! I suppose the fact that the yarn is thick and the stitches are firm naturally means it's warmer. That said, it is a bit stiff because of it, and I noticed that when putting it on and taking it off. I think it's the best in terms of warmth and durability for long-term wear."

"The side slits and the slightly longer back panel design make it easy to balance with either a skirt or pants. Also, since the shoulder seams use a raglan sleeve construction, there's no feeling of restriction, making it easy to move your arms—and even with such a thick, sturdy sweater, I feel less worried about shoulder stiffness."

Checkpoints

・The warmest and most traditional Aran knit

・Thick and sturdy-feeling, though somewhat stiff

・A bit itchy against bare skin, but fine when worn with a long-sleeve inner layer, shirt, or turtleneck

KERRYWOOLLENS MILLS

Next, we'll pick out a sweater and cardigan from KERRYWOOLLENS MILLS (Kerry Woollens Mills).

2.Crew Neck Multi

By switching between three different knit patterns across the upper, middle, and lower sections of the front body, this piece adjusts its volume to reduce the "stocky, bulky" look that Aran knits often have. We recommend it for anyone who has hesitated to try an Aran knit because of concerns about bulkiness.

Knitwear from long-established factories tends to carry over old patterns as-is, which can sometimes make the length, arm width, and sleeve silhouette look dated. KERRYWOOLLENS MILLS (Kerry Woollens Mills), however, is said to continually refine its patterns to keep the silhouette in step with the times.

★Staff impressions after trying it on

"It fits well overall, and I like how compact it is without making you look bulky. Since the volume is kept in check, I think it'll be easy to coordinate with any coat on top.

If I had to point out one concern, it's that because the fit and silhouette are so good, there's not much room around the arms and underarms, so it feels a bit tight. I've mostly been wearing drop-shoulder tops lately, so a sweater like this with shoulders that fit exactly might feel snug because of that.

What sets this apart from other Aran knits is that the knit pattern changes along horizontal lines, which is interesting. The pattern on the back is different too."

3.Aran Cable 2Way V Cardigan

This is basically a cardigan, but worn back-to-front it becomes a deep V-neck pullover with the back open—a 2-way design. The knit is soft and fluffy, but doesn't add much bulk once worn, making it a piece that suits any body type.

★Staff impressions after trying it on

"I don't usually own cardigans because they tend to look too formal, but this 【Aran Cable 2Way V Cardigan】was a pleasant surprise—I was glad I could wear it casually, in true Aran knit style! The chunky stitches and well-defined silhouette might be what sets it apart from a plain cardigan.

The only itchy part is where the sleeves touch the back of my hands, and pulling down the sleeves of the shirt underneath seems to solve that."

Checkpoints for KERRYWOOLLENS MILLS

・Patterns refined with the wearer in mind, for an optimal silhouette

・Both the sweater and cardigan have a shorter length, giving a clean, streamlined look

・Not stiff, though somewhat itchy (solved with an inner layer)

aran woollen mills

With its traditional patterns, not-too-thick material, machine-made construction, and relatively accessible price for an Aran knit, this brand is perfect for anyone new to Aran knits. Among the three brands compared here, its texture has a subdued three-dimensional quality and a simple look despite the stitch pattern, making it easy to pair with patterned bottoms.

4.Merino Wool Cable Sweater

This is the classic knit pattern that comes to mind when you hear "Aran knit." We recommend it as a piece to fully enjoy the wintry look of cable knitting. Among the Aran knits featured here, this one was the softest and the least itchy.

★Staff impressions after trying it on

"Maybe because it's soft, it has some stretch and doesn't feel tight to wear. It has that universal, classic Aran knit feel that makes you want to keep it in your winter wardrobe regardless of age.

One thing to note is that the sleeve seam area puffs up a bit, so if your shoulders are broad like mine, the silhouette might look a little larger.

But overall it has a relaxed, roomy fit, and the drop shoulders made it very comfortable to wear."

Checkpoints for aran woollen mills

・The softest of the three brands, with itchiness barely noticeable

・A brand we recommend for anyone new to Aran knits

・Lets you wear a traditional knit with ease

ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー

After carefully examining four styles of Aran knits from three brands, the piece our staff ultimately chose was:

KERRYWOOLLENS MILLS's (Kerry Woollens Mills) 【Aran Cable 2Way V Cardigan】!

Why did we choose this piece?

「Among the rare opportunity to closely compare four Aran knit pieces alone, it was this 2Way V Cardigan that brought the freshest surprise. I think it was the distinctive stitching of Aran knit that changed the sense of resistance I'd always felt toward cardigans—since I disliked them, I naturally didn't own a single one, and that's why I felt I wanted to have this piece as an item that's easy to put on and take off.

Traditional Aran knits are typically sweaters rather than cardigans, so this isn't exactly the classic form, but it felt like I had encountered a piece that suits who I am right now.

I chose this cardigan, but every one of them was truly a wonderful Aran knit. Even though the color is a single solid shade, I felt I caught a glimpse of the charm of Aran knit—how just the intricate variety of "stitches" alone can create such a sense of richness and color.

Each brand really does have its own distinct character, and I'm reminded once again that it's not a matter of which is superior, but which one suits you best and matches what matters most to you.」

▼Warm and traditional. Athena Designs