Timeless Quality: WoolOvers Aran Sweater in Moss Green

 

Timeless Quality: WoolOvers Aran Sweater in Moss Green

A New Addition to a Trusted Collection

After seven years of unwavering performance from my original WoolOvers Aran sweaters in Charcoal, Navy, French Navy, and Kiltimagh, I am delighted to introduce the latest addition to my collection: a stunning Olive Green version. Back in February 2018, I sang the praises of these sweaters for their remarkable quality and value, and I am thrilled to report that this newest arrival upholds the very same high standards.

The first batch: 

Consistency in a Changing Market

In a market where many products seem to diminish in quality over time, it is heartening to encounter a brand that consistently delivers. This Moss Green Aran Sweater is indistinguishable in craftsmanship from its predecessors. The intricate cable knit pattern is as robust and precise as ever, and the overall feel of the sweater—from the soft, breathable wool to the impeccable stitching—reaffirms WoolOvers’ commitment to excellence.

Remarkable Durability Over Time

What truly stands out is how well my older sweaters have endured. After being in regular rotation for nearly half the year over the past seven years, they still look remarkably fresh. I’ve noticed almost no pilling, a common and frustrating issue with knitwear. On the rare occasions a bit of pilling has occurred, it has been minimal and easily removed, leaving the sweaters looking pristine. This durability is a testament to WoolOvers’ use of high-quality materials and meticulous production standards.

Here Styled with Selvage Denims from Pike Brothers, Natural Horsehide boots by William Lennon Co. and Watch my Baltany

A Note on Sizing

One detail worth noting is a slight shift in sizing. My original quartet of sweaters were ordered in size medium, providing a snug but comfortable fit for my 6'2" (188cm), 190-pound (88kg) frame. For the new Moss Green sweater, I opted for a size large to achieve an identical fit. It’s a reminder to always check updated size charts, but rest assured, the sweater’s fit remains perfect for layering under tweed sports coats—a combination I find both practical and stylish.

Here is the current sizing Chart (still nicely detailed to make ordering a fault-free as possible):

measurements of the garment

Size	length of the garment	width of the garment	sleeve length
S	27.6	17.7	25
M	28.3	19.3	25.2
L	29.1	20.9	25.4
XL	29.9	22.4	25.6
XXL	30.7	24	25.8

A Timeless Investment

This consistency in quality, fit, and style is rare in today’s fast-fashion landscape. WoolOvers has not only maintained their standards but has reaffirmed their reputation as a trusted source for timeless knitwear. For anyone considering investing in an Aran sweater, I wholeheartedly recommend this Moss Green beauty—and the brand as a whole. Huzzah to WoolOvers for proving that some things truly can improve with age, or at least stay as spectacular as they were from the start.

Newly Arrived: Dougal Harris Tweed Jacket by Harris Tweed Scotland

 

I'm nothing if not a believer in self-gifting, especially during the holidays.  Of course, I also believe in self-gifting throughout the year, but that's a story for another post.  I had discovered this great 'Dougal' Harris Tweed limited edition jacket from Harris Tweed Scotland a little more than a year ago but had been hesitant to add it to my wardrobe because honestly, I've got so many Harris Tweed Jackets, it's becoming increasingly difficult to justify adding one more to my wife (thank god she loves and is patient with me).  This jacket as I mentioned was a limited edition issue from Harris Tweed Scotland, but back from 2012, so very few of these jackets are still available, and I was able to locate them for sale new from the fine people at Parkins School and menswear (UK based) who still have a limited supply of sizes available.  I have also seen them in limited sized at the Fine Swine (US based)

In any case, I had been looking to add a Prince of Wales Tweed in brown to my jacket collection for a while and so this 'Dougal' is an answer to my prayers.  Of course, being Harris Tweed and a limited edition jacket, just makes doubly irresistible.  Featuring suede elbow patches, slanted pockets, 2 side vents, leather buttons, and the black ‘Centenary Label’and a beautiful crimson/burgundy lining.

This like every Harris Tweed Jacket I've owned is a quality build and in this case the tailoring is very nice as well with better than usual pattern matching on the seams.  Case in point the center back seam is spot on:

The Close-ups:
Provided for my own enjoyment and for that of my tweed obsessed brethren: The pattern of the Dougal jacket contains burgundy, orange, beige and brown which creates a classic check plus the addition to a bit of extremely subtle green and yellow just to add a bit of subversiveness). This Harris Tweed is one of their 'lightweight' weave (630gm per meter) which apparently is 20% lighter than the 'Normal' weight Harris Tweed, but I must say even the 'lightweight' feels very substantial to me.

I only received the jacket today and so have had a limited opportunity to build outfits around it but no doubt, that will become a wonderful addition to my wardrobe and I'm looking forward to experimenting with color and pattern matching this new addition. For today I've combined it with a paint blue Oxford cloth shirt, Cream White Aran Sweater, Selvage Denim from Bravestar, Brown Ryan boots by Grenson.  

Aran Jumper for my wife from Aran Sweater Market

I bought a less expensive Aran Sweater online from a company which will go unnamed and unfortunately arrived in the wrong size and with a very unattractive sheep smell (knitwear companies, please make sure your wool is well washed).  Having returned this first sweater, I decided to spend just a bit more to hoping for a higher quality product.  I had been eyeing the Aran sweaters from Aran Sweater Market for a while (I've featured a flat cap I purchased from them a while back and it's become one of my favorites), so figured I would give them a shot.  I bought the 'Women's Heavyweight Merino Wool Aran Sweater' in small because while my wife is tall, she's thin and like myself prefers close fitting sweaters, and I must say that the fit is beautiful. 

The back is just as pretty as the front

First I have to say their shipping from Ireland was especially fast, from the time of order to its arrival at my door here in Bavaria was 2 days - amazingly fast.  Upon this jumper's arrival, is was very pleased indeed.  The wool was washed well (with a very slight pleasant lanoline smell) and evenly spun.  The overall quality of the knitting was extremely high.  The color is a very beautiful cream white/ecru and looks just great.  While not hand knitted, this Aran was spun and knitted in Ireland from wool grown in Ireland to a high standard.  The wool is very soft (not scratchy) and this sweater is warm, as one would expect of a heavy Aran and will come in very handy on these cooler spring days in Bavaria and of course will be great in Fall and Winter as well.

I think Mrs. Landless Gentry is very happy with my purchase and I've been very happy with the product and fast delivery from Aran Sweater Market as well, so it's been a win-win. 

Stock-up review: the Aran style Jumper from Woolovers

(Colors from the Top: Navy, French Navy, Charcoal, and Kiltimagh)

Woolovers are a British based knitwear company established in 1989 that supplies quality made knitwear for Man and women at very competitive prices.  These Aran style sweaters are knitted from 100% pure wool.  I call them 'Aran style' sweaters because to my knowledge these are not knitted in Ireland or even the UK (If I am incorrect, I would encourage Woolovers to correct me and be more clear in their website).  In any case, I purchase these sweaters in the same great Aran pattern in four colors: Charcoal, Navy, French Navy and Kiltimagh (sort of a grey/green color) and honestly couldn't be more pleased with their product.  I can find no fault with either the quality of the wool or with the quality of the knitting.

(Charcoal)

(Kiltimagh)

(French Navy)

The overall knit patter is attractive and the knit very we executed:

(Navy)

One thing I really like about the Woolovers website is that each model/style of sweater and size of sweater has been individual unique measurement.  So you can determine your best size by simply measuring a sweater in your wardrobe that fits you thus enabling you to buy the size that best matches.  They even provide detailed instruction and photos of how they've measured this specific item, so basically it's foolproof.  Here for instances is the size chart for these Aran models.  I ordered size Mediums based on my preference for a very fitted sweater, giving me the ability to layer it under a jacket or sports coat.

MEN'S SIZING GUIDE

Measurement	XS	S	M	L	XL	XXL
Garment Height		26.8	27.6	28.3	29.1	29.9
Garment Width		19.3	20.9	22.4	24	25.6
Sleeve Length Over Arm		24.8	25.2	25.6	26	26.4
All sizes in inches.

And in terms of sizing, I am very happy with how they fit, which I think is just ideal - not too tight, and zero bagginess.   The colors are also very nice and accurate as per their website. The Yarn they've uses are spun from individual fibers with light and dark tones, which when knitted have a great variation of color that just adds these pullover's wonderful texture and richness.

(Navy)

(Kiltimagh)

(French Navy)

(Charcoal)

 I've had these sweaters now since August (they were having a killer sale) and I've been enjoying wearing them all through this past Fall and early Winter (alone and also paired with many different tweeds) and can say with confidence that these jumpers are very warm and built to last.  I've had experience very minimal pilling (my pet peeve with knitwear). and no stretching of deformation in either the body, cuffs or collars.   I fully expect to enjoy wearing these Aran style Jumpers as cold weather companions for years to come.

Here are just a few of the many ways I have incorporated these jumpers into my outfits over the past months:

(French Navy)

(Kiltimagh)

(Charcoal)

(Charcoal)