When it comes to putting together a stylish off-duty look, the classic fishermen’s sweater is always a great choice. Whether you opt for a chunky cabled version or choose one in a bold colour, you will be sure to look effortlessly on-trend.
The fishermen’s sweater has certainly achieved fashion icon status, and you will discover a great selection at stores such as https://shoparan.com/mens-aran-sweaters/mens-fisherman-sweaters/.
Starting from the sea
Being featured in glossy magazines is a far cry from the humble origins of these sweaters. Originally created by wives and mothers to keep their menfolk warm and dry as they toiled away at sea, the fisher man sweater has come a long way.
Take a trip to the coast and the chances are that you will see plenty of locals still sporting this garment as they work. This is because the fisher man sweater has been designed to be exceptionally hardwearing, making it as practical as it is attractive.
First created in the Channel Islands in the 15th century, fishermen’s sweaters or ‘ganseys’ were knitted tightly from naturally water-repellent sheep’s wool and displayed beautiful and intricate stitch patterns. Later, as the seafarers left the Islands and travelled further afield, more areas of the UK adopted the style; for example, the Aran Islands added the distinctive cables that are so loved today.
A famous style staple
It wasn’t until the 1960s that these sweaters really hit their stride with the general public when popular folk musicians wore these attractive knits. Both the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Maken were synonymous with this rugged style. Soon, the fisher man sweater was appearing in Hollywood films, worn by the likes of Steve McQueen in The Thomas Crown Affair. The look is clearly here to stay, as modern film stars such as Chris Evans and Colin Farrell demonstrate in their recent movies: Glass Onion and The Banshees of Inisherin.
If you are looking for an effortlessly cool addition to your winter wardrobe, it is clear that you can’t go wrong with a classic fisher man sweater.