STYLE | Wooly Jumpers: A How To Guide, with Arnotts

When you think of the words 'wooly jumper', or 'cable knit', various images will inevitably pop into your brain: lead guitar / singers from Irish "alternative" bands who dress like dockworkers but haven't seen a hard day's work in twenty years, Miley from Glenroe (God rest his soul), your grandfather - on your mother's side. Dispel all those images immediately. Wooly jumpers are cool again, a walk through Arnotts' mens collection will tell you that. It's actually OK to be seen wearing one. In fact, you're missing out on them if you haven't got one. In fact without one, you'll probably have fomo.

Wooly jumpers tick all the major boxes. They're comfortable, they actually keep out the cold, they look good and they go with anything. They can work in any situation as it's neither formal nor casual. It's a smart look and if you put it with a good shirt, all the better. You can match them with jeans or chinos, but the trick is to avoid loud colours. Go for something neutral and reserved. This here jumper below is available in Arnotts. They're called Fisherman Out Of Ireland and they're available for €150.00. Go get one. You'll be the better for it.

Firstly, the actual material is the softest thing you have ever felt. Like ever. If it were socially acceptable, you could wrap this knit around your face. Why? Because this is what we imagine being inside warm apple pie without the stickiness would be like, that's why. Secondly, it actually looks sh*t cool. You'd often see John Krasinski from The Office rocking something similar to this and let's face it, women go bananas for that dude. What's his appeal, exactly? Is it because he has trusting eyes? That's probably it. Thirdly, it's getting cold out there. That worn-to-crap hoody isn't going to cut it for much longer. This jumper is an investment. Think about how good it's going to feel when the air temperature drops off and you're snug as a bug in a rug in this thing?! Exactly.

Arnotts have a whole range of brands, most of which offer their take on the cable knit. If you'd prefer something alternative to a round neck, check out Gagliardi's stuff, we particularly like this one, retailing at €105.00. The material is super fine, so it won't bulk up under your jacket as much. And with a finer material, you don't have to hide your guns for the sake of keeping warm. Winning!

This one below is slightly cosier (Selected Homme Knit Cardigan), and ideal for those of you who fancy the option of unbuttoning. For this one, head to Selected Homme and pick it up for €49.95.

You're probably thinking, "Hang on - if they're so good, how come I don't have one?" It's because they've been maligned by years of abuse, but the tide's a changing. Like 90's grunge and Matthew McConaughey, they're enjoying a comeback. In fact, they never went away. They were always there, you just weren't paying attention to them. As mentioned, wool jumpers were the go-to choice of farmers with unresolved anger issues and possible tax evasion offences hanging over them. That idea of an old dude leaning over the cattle fence and smelling like he hasn't had a shower since The Sopranos was on TV is long gone. He's not coming back.

You can wear wool jumpers again, a la Beckham, or even Pattinson. Though whether you'll wind up looking as cool as this here lamb or the shetland ponies in the top pic, we cannot guarantee.