The Iconic Fisherman’s Sweater

The distinctive patterns that define the classic Aran sweater—a style favored by 19th-century Irish fishermen for its unparalleled warmth and hard-wearing construction—were originally knit to signify the wearer’s family clan. The Polo Ralph Lauren fisherman’s sweater, which is made with Italian wool-and-cashmere yarn, symbolizes the wearer’s membership in a different type of group: those who appreciate form, function, and enduring style.