The Journal

A Classic Aran Knit, Reimagined

Working with Matt Hranek of the WM Brown Project, we recreated a classic fisherman style. Blending heritage, craftsmanship and our super-soft Scottish lambswool, it’s a modern winter staple.

From Fishermen to Film Stars – The Story of the Aran Sweater

The British Isles are renowned for their rich knitwear heritage. Over the centuries, remote regions throughout the UK and Ireland, such as Guernsey, Shetland, the Fair Isles or the Yorkshire Dales, have developed distinct knitting styles, traditionally crafted from thick, coarse wool to protect the wearer from the elements.

Originating on the Aran Islands off Ireland’s west coast, the Aran style is one of the best known of these. In the late 19^th century, British and Irish fishermen were invited to improve the region’s fishing industry and they brought their knitwear traditions with them. Soon the islands were producing their own distinct unique cable patterning using undyed, unscoured wool.

After the Second World War, the Aran style steadily became more popular. Aran knitting patterns appeared in Vogue in the 1950s and the Irish folk band the Clancy Brothers wore them on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1961. Soon the style was more likely to be seen on Hollywood stars than Atlantic fishermen. It’s hard to think of an Aran jumper today and not picture Steve McQueen chewing a cigar, though you could just as easily think of Elvis, Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe or Robert Redford.

Timeless Style, Modern Comfort

Traditionally, Aran jumpers were made with coarse, unscoured wool which gave the jumper a natural waterproof quality – jumpers could absorb up to 30% of their weight in water before they felt wet. While perfect for the conditions, this also meant they were also rough and itchy on the skin.

Following our collaboration earlier this year, which reimagined our Riviera Polo Shirt, we worked again with Matt Hranek of the WM Brown Project to create a modern version of the Aran jumper that harnessed our expertise in luxurious wool.

“I love the idea of those traditional fisherman jumpers, and some of my favourite style icons have worn them,” he explained, “You know, Steve McQueen, Paul McCartney, Robert Redford, people like that. I’ve collected vintage ones but they’re so itchy, scratchy and thick that they’re unbearable to wear. So what happens is I don’t wear them. Sunspel’s British wool though is so nice, so we were like, let’s make something that’s a nod to those traditional knits but much softer and more wearable.”

Crafted for Pure Softness

We’ve always been committed to exceptional comfort, seeking out the best of British craftsmanship to ensure our knitwear is as soft as possible. For this piece, we sourced the highest quality, non-mulesed Geelong lambswool and worked with one of Scotland’s oldest mills, who on the banks of Loch Leven, use generations of knowledge and skills to craft a remarkably soft yarn.

This is knitted by specialists in Dumfriesshire where it is washed in natural Scottish spring water. This special process softens the wool’s fibres and leaves a beautiful handle, meaning the final piece is so smooth you could wear it on bare skin. “We’re very lucky in Scotland,” the manufacturer’s head knitwear specialist explains, “because our water is very soft. When we wash the final garment, the yarn opens up and really springs to life. That’s what makes it feel so comfortable.”

The Sunspel x WM Brown Aran Roll Neck

The result is a classic Aran roll neck with a luxurious contemporary feel. It can be worn as a standalone piece or under a jacket and it’s comfortable enough to wear as loungewear. Like traditional jumpers, it’s also designed to last. “That’s the beauty of jumpers like these,” Hranek says, “they last a long time. Knitwear pieces like this are passed down the generations.”