What Jackets Are In Fashion Now in Ireland? Trends for 2025
If fashion in Ireland comes with one golden rule, it’s this: expect rain. Our weather has always shaped what’s seen as stylish, and jackets take centre stage. You could be walking Baggot Street in a gale, popping into Fallon & Byrne for decent coffee, or squeezing onto a Luas packed with folks weaving umbrellas and raincoats. No matter your look—from trad to street to something more city-sleek—the jacket you throw on tells people a lot about you, and this year, Irish jacket trends have taken some cool turns. Surprising, actually. Instead of the same old coats, we’re getting jackets made for changeable skies, built to last, and yeah, pretty sharp-looking for whatever Irish life throws at you.
Why Jackets Matter in Ireland: Practicality, Culture, and Weather
It’s bonkers to talk about Irish style without mentioning our climate. Even if the RTÉ app swears the forecast is clear—always keep a jacket at the ready. Irish weather swings from sunny spells to heavy drizzle in a heartbeat, especially from Galway to Waterford. That’s why jackets are not just fashion here—they’re a survival tactic. Dubliners love complaining about rain, but we secretly respect anyone with a jacket that balances practical protection and street cred. No matter if you’re lining up at Croke Park for a hurling match or hitting the pubs in Temple Bar, the right jacket means you’re prepared—and you look the part. Saucy designers like JW Anderson, who calls Northern Ireland home, keep popping up on Grafton Street with nods to Irish roots and weatherproof flair. Irish-made brands such as Magee and Fisherman Out of Ireland are also holding strong, making jackets that shout quality and heritage without screaming for attention.
Irish lads and lasses treat jackets as signature pieces. A waxed Barbour for a weekend walk in Howth or a sturdy North Face puffer when hitting Aviva Stadium on a grim evening? These aren’t just random picks—they’re local icons. Even young folks mixing vintage finds from Dublin's Nine Crows or Siopaella with new sustainable outerwear, everyone’s jacket kind of marks where they're from, where they're going, and maybe if their mammy made them buy something with a hood. This season’s Irish jacket story is practical, local, and tinged with nostalgia—but with enough edge to feel fresh.
The Jacket Styles Dominating Irish Streets in 2025
This spring and summer, look around Dame Lane or the boardwalk along the Liffey, and you’ll spot certain jacket styles everywhere. Top of the pile is the technical raincoat—think Rains, Patagonia, or even local heroes like Jack Murphy, all crafted for downpours but styled for socialising. The rise of eco-friendly, recycled materials is impossible to miss, with brands pushing water-resistant lightweight shells instead of heavy parkas. Younger crowds in Cork or Belfast are pairing 90s-inspired windbreakers (plenty in neon or blocky retro shades) with the staple Dr. Martens and straight-leg jeans. Don’t underestimate the quilted jacket, either. Light, packable, and so easy to sling into your bag, it’s been a huge seller at Arnotts and Brown Thomas, with the likes of Uniqlo and Penneys offering wallet-friendly options.
The shacket—that weird hybrid of shirt and jacket—keeps gaining fans, especially for city commutes when heavy coats are too much. Irish men are matching boxy shackets over T-shirts or jumpers; women are cinching them with belts for an hourglass vibe, channeling that Scandi-Irish crossover. Bomber jackets, too, are still big business, especially when done in earthy browns, mossy greens, or subtle houndstooth prints nodding to Irish rural motifs. If you’re feeling flash, Varsity jackets are back from the '90s grave (thank TikTok), and you’ll definitely catch them layered over jerseys on college campuses from UCD to UCC.
What Makes A Jacket Truly ‘Irish’—Heritage, Brands, and Local Makers
Irish jacket trends always have a bit of old-school at their heart. Traditional waxed cotton jackets (think Barbour, Dubarry, and Magee) aren’t just for the horsey set—they’re a staple for muddy rugby sidelines in Limerick, Saturday mornings at St. Anne’s Park, or a windswept Galway Bay stroll. Proper GAA club jackets from O’Neills are everywhere for a reason—they’re tough, they’re recognisable, and they survive years of rain and rows on the pitch. Then there’s Irish-made tweed: light, rain-defiant, and as much a status symbol in Donegal as a Tesla is in Dalkey. Brands like Hanna Hats, Fisherman Out of Ireland, and McNutt make jackets that let you look sharp without losing your local cred. Dublin designers are blending these roots with new fabrics—so you still get a touch of heritage without drowning in the old man aesthetic.
For sheer numbers, though, Penneys will always shift the most jackets in Ireland. Their jackets—while easy on the bank account—mirror most major trends, making styles accessible to students and shoppers who want to fit in without paying big money for labels. Just up the street, Brown Thomas and Arnotts cater for high-fashion crowd, and even high-end Irish designers like Simone Rocha and JW Anderson are sneaking heritage twists (herringbone, check, big buttons, and toggles) into jackets that could tackle a Blackrock shower or a Mayo gale. You’ll see the influence filter down to mid-priced homegrown brands like Jack Murphy or Lighthouse, whose collections tune in to what people want on Irish streets instead of trends in Milan or Paris.
Where to Shop for Jackets in Ireland: Local Tips and Trusted Spots
Finding the right jacket in Ireland isn’t just about big department stores, though the likes of Brown Thomas (Dublin), BT2, and Arnotts (Henry Street) are always good for the latest drop. If you’re after something unique and eco-friendly, check out Siopaella in Temple Bar or Vintage Kilo Sales that pop up across Cork, Galway, and Dublin. Knightsbridge in Sligo and Hynes in Galway city, both family-run, blend trad and modern, offering advice you won’t get from a soulless online checkout. For sardine-packed queues every August, you can’t beat Penneys when the new stock lands. In the North, Victoria Square in Belfast boasts local and international brands with new jacket launches each spring.
If price is a concern (and who isn’t watching the wallet after rent day), Uniqlo at Dundrum Town Centre and Liffey Valley constantly rotate affordable puffers and rain jackets. Tech-heads and hikers should swing for Great Outdoors on Chatham Street for the sort of fleeces and shell jackets built for Irish hikes and epic weekends in Connemara. Smaller towns in Kerry and Mayo still have the real deal—family shops passing down know-how, with jackets to survive bog-land mud and music festivals alike. And remember, sometimes the best advice comes from wise old shopkeepers—my wife Saoirse swears by asking for stain-proofing tips in Rathfarnham, where the locals still demand function over fad.
Choosing the Perfect Jacket for Irish Life—Tips, Weatherproofing, and Making It Last
The most important secret: it’s not enough for a jacket to look good in Ireland—it also has to last. The endless wet, damp air will do a number on cheap, thin jackets. Always check for taped seams, strong zips (double ones earn bonus points), and a big-enough hood with drawstrings. Layering is king here; you want enough room to slip a hoodie underneath but not so loose you feel like you’re wearing a tent in a wind tunnel. Waterproofing is tricky—don’t just trust a label, ask in the shop or check Irish reviews. A real waterproof piece should have a “hydrostatic head” rating over 5,000mm, but for Irish hillwalkers, 10,000mm keeps you dry in the worst downpour (see table below for some compare-and-contrast):
| Brand | Type | Waterproof Rating (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Patagonia Torrentshell | Shell Jacket | 20,000 |
| Jack Murphy Malvern | Waxed Jacket | 8,000 |
| O’Neills GAA Club Jacket | Sports | 5,000 |
| Rains Ultralight | Raincoat | 10,000 |
| Penneys Puffer | Puffer | 3,000 |
Don’t forget breathability—Irish weather can turn muggy! Synthetic linings or mesh pockets help avoid that sticky feeling when you’re racing up Stephen’s Green to catch the last bus. If you snag a waxed jacket, reproof it once a year. And trust me, always check a jacket’s pockets before buying; a hidden inner pocket keeps your phone dry when dodging puddles near Pearse Station. Think about how you’ll actually wear it: Do you commute? Cycle? Hike the Wicklow Way? A one-size-fits-all jacket rarely works, so pick a smart choice for your lifestyle.
In 2025, jackets in fashion Ireland are about character, not chasing hype. It’s function first, filtered through Irish sensibility. The best-dressed crowds know their stuff—it’s not just what you wear, but how it works for real life here. Whether you’re investing in a heritage piece or riding the wave of street style’s comeback, pick a jacket ready for every twist the Irish weather throws your way. And never, ever forget your brolly.