100% Irish Merino Wool Ladies Hooded Aran Zip Sweater Coat by West End Knitwear

I am crazy about this sweater! There are so many thing to love about this beautiful Irish knitwear... I was unsure whether this would be flattering based on the photos, but I had already bought a different style of wool sweater from this company and decided to try this one. It is long and lean in shape, which was what I hoped for, and every time I wear it I get a compliment from a random stranger. It is warm and cozy, but I never get too hot wearing it. The wool itself is soft enough to be comfortable against bare skin, but it definitely does have that wool smell. About the same time I ordered this sweater, I also bought a wool blanket from Scotland, and this sweater smells WAY better than the blanket! There is definitely the odor of sheep, a nice, earthy smell, but not overwhelming to me, just barely noticeable in fact. If you are very sensitive to such things then it might bother you, but I find it pleasant, mild, and a confirmation that this is a natural product that is not chemically treated and processed beyond all recognition. The odor also fades quickly with time, and I haven’t found it necessary to wash it yet. I am SO HAPPY with this sweater that I ordered another in a different color, so now I have both the army green and the parsnip. Now I plan to buy the navy one as well...I have owned both sweaters for a couple of months now, and these are the sweaters I grab every chance I get. Highly recommended!

I recommend this sweater for its great detail, the Celtic zipper pull, hood, pockets, and nice length. I am accumulating a little collection of these comfortable Aran sweaters and this style stands out from the crowd and was one I wanted as soon as I saw it. The weight is lighter than the usual bulky Irish sweater, for a leaner, slightly more fitted look, but it is still a fairly heavy sweater compared to a standard American sweater. The fit is more true to standard sizing, rather than the ultra-roomy fit typical of sweaters in this line.I got this one in green when it was available and would love to see more colors offered. This is a terrific sweater you'll love to wear. The only caution I will add to my recommendation is that I had a little trouble with service/communication from the seller. I got an email telling me my sweater had shipped, and was very excited as it was ahead of schedule. I waited and kept checking the tracking information, but the number I was given was not valid. I contacted the seller, and although they were lovely and polite, it took close to a week to get any information about what was going on with my sweater. It turned out it hadn't shipped at all, though it did shortly thereafter. I didn't really mind the wait, but just would have liked to have had accurate information during the process. I have ordered from this seller in the past and had superlative service, so I am not marking them off my list of trustworthy companies. It's just a precaution that a little patience on the delivery may be needed.

The parsnip color is sort of a heather beige, not a solid color. Not necessarily a bad thing but I don't care for it. Also, I ordered a medium which is my usual size and it fit quite loose on me. It may be that one needs to size down for it to fit as it does on the model in the photo. Otherwise it's a beautiful sweater of good quality. I think I just need a different color and size.Update: I ordered the green in a small. It fit better than the medium but still somehow looked very frumpy on me. I am 5'7", about 135 lbs, and somewhat curvy. Also - the green sweater is a heather rather than a solid color, as I found the parsnip shade to be. Again, not a fan. And the shade of green is also a bit... swampy? Not a pretty hunter green. I am not reducing my rating of the product however, as it is a nice quality sweater. Honestly I would have kept and worn either or both of these sweaters if they had been gifts, but for $100+ I need to be in love with it or it goes back.

I chose the size according to other reviewers, and what I received is a perfect fit. I wear anywhere between a med-large (12) and x-large (16) shirt (depending on drape and material used, etc.). Sweaters made for wearing over clothing require a little extra room, and this provides just enough without drowning the wearer. Sleeve length could be a bit longer, but it's not a big issue.As for the smell: I think it's somewhat like leather, and, to me, not offensive in the least.The construction seems well made, except I'm not familiar with the double-pull zipper. I assume you just use the top one, but that means you have to pull it on over your head, instead of opening it all the way.The wool might be scratchy if wearing it right next to my skin, but that's not the intended use.I bought it for an upcoming trip, so I haven't used it yet (weather here is still in the 90s F, so can't really test), and therefore, can't tell yet how warm or cozy this will turn out to be. I'll update this review if I think further information is needed in that regard.

This was purchased as a Christmas gift my wife selected from the Irish catalog. Delivery took about 3 weeks and arrived as promised in time for Christmas. Wife very pleased with fit and comfort. Wears it a lot. Also pleased with many compliments she has received. Highly recommended.

I wear a size 12 and usually buy a large but after reading the comments I bought the medium and I am glad I did. It fits perfectly. I like the way the sweater covers my bottom, the sleeve length is perfect and the pockets make it feel cozy. Now for a few downers: The sweater has a chemical smell to it - surprising since it is made of wool - it's not a strong odor, but it's there. The zipper is made of lesser quality and doesn't zip smoothly. Every time I have zipped it, it gets stuck, either up or down, but it eventually gives. Not exactly the high quality I was expecting for paying over $100 for this. I am hoping the smell goes away and the zipper becomes easier over time.

I thought it was perfect but my daughter felt it was too long for her

Really a great sweater- durable, warm, the green is an awesome colour, and my wife loves it.I’m glad I ordered an XS, S would’ve been baggy on her (she’s 5’ tall, about 110 pounds, has a lithe, nicely proportioned, athletic build). It’s a little longer than I’d thought it would be but that’s not a negative.Due to it being wool my wife wears a thin long sleeve underneath so her skin doesn’t get irritated. She enjoys the warm, cozy feeling- our lil’ Tabby Cat approves as well, he snuggles right in and dozes off when my wife wears it.

loved it! Until my husband did the laundry and shrunk it to a dish rag :O

Great hooded cardigan. Sleeves and length are as expected. We ordered the medium and it is a lot wider than expected. Would be a better fit for a stout lass.

Stunning. Very warm and exceptional quality.My only issue is with real wool you need a layer underneath or you will be itchy.A lovely product, and the real deal!Love it