Types of Jackets Without Zippers: Irish Fashion Guide

Have you ever found yourself caught in a Dublin drizzle, wishing your jacket didn't jam at the zipper? Or maybe in Galway, browsing through a local shop, some elegant coat catches your eye—no zipper in sight? In Ireland, where weather changes faster than you can say "Atlantic breeze", owning the right jacket is a must. And, as it happens, jackets without zippers aren’t just a thing; they’re a statement. Some call them chic, others find them old-fashioned, but knowing what’s what can save you from looking daft or, worse, being downright uncomfortable on a blustery coastal walk. So, what do we actually call these no-zipper wonders, and why should you care?

Buttoned, Toggles, and More: The Many Names of Jackets Without Zippers

Across Ireland, the most common answer to “What’s a jacket without a zipper called?” is a simple one: buttoned jacket. But look a little deeper, and you’ll bump into toggles, snaps, hooks, and even poppers. Think about a classic pea coat from Cork city stores or those duffle coats you spot on a windswept Dún Laoghaire pier. None of these rely on a zipper for closure—they use buttons or toggles instead, often chunky to make them easy to fasten in the cold. Sometimes, jackets skip the closure altogether, right in line with relaxed Irish pub evenings.

Jackets with toggles—like the duffle—have a naval history, and Dubliners have loved them since Royal Navy days. Then, there’s the blazer, a buttoned beauty you’ll see on Grafton Street, the Aran-style buttoned cardigan (technically knitwear, but worn as outerwear more often than you’d think), and the stylish trench coat beloved during lighter showers. Many locals use older Irish or Hiberno-English for these: "mac" for a buttoned raincoat, "anorak" for a pullover without a full front opening, or just "coat." The keyword here is utility—whatever keeps the wind out and lets you look decent meeting pals at the pub.

If you're a GAA supporter, those team sideline coats you spot on chilly sidelines at Croke Park usually have snaps, not zips. Buttons and toggles handle mud and cold far better than most zippers. And in Irish country markets, hand-crafted jackets and Irish tweeds often opt for wooden or leather buttons, which are tougher than zippers and carry a sense of tradition. Ask in any Kilkenny boutique, and they’ll explain it’s a point of pride. Unlined Harris tweed jackets with a three-button closure never go out of style and suit Irish weather perfectly.

Why Ireland Loves Jackets Without Zippers: Tradition Meets Practicality

Fashion-forward or functional? In Ireland, jackets without zips straddle both worlds. There’s a long tradition of wearing buttoned or toggled jackets thanks to practical and cultural reasons. First, zippers and salty wet air don’t always get on. In coastal places from Kerry to Donegal, sea air plays havoc with metal zips, making them jam or corrode. A chunky button or wood toggle popper can last longer and be fixed if broken—something any resourceful Irish mammy will point out.

The Irish market has always had a soft spot for classic fashion that doesn’t date—woollen coats from Avoca, Magee of Donegal tweed blazers, and even waxed cotton jackets from Barbour or Dubarry. These are stitched to handle seasons where you might get four seasons in a single day—April showers followed by summer sun, with chilly Atlantic winds for good measure. For country folks in Tipperary or Roscommon, a buttoned wax jacket keeps out the rain and mud, with the added bonus of being easy to shrug on and off at the door without snagged zips to contend with.

Buttoned jackets are also, frankly, easier to mend and easier to wear for all body shapes—nothing gets caught, and you can adjust the closure for comfort. Think about those days when you layer up for a walk in Glendalough, only to find yourself peeling off a thick jumper by noon. Buttons give you freedom to adapt, and in a country as unpredictable as Ireland, adaptability is gold.

Popular Types of No-Zip Jackets Worn in Ireland

The cast of jackets without zips is bigger than you might expect. Everyone’s seen a duffle coat—maybe a camel number with horn toggles and mighty big pockets for keeping your hands warm in Blackrock or Ballina. The pea coat, with its naval roots, is a classic sight in Irish cities. If you’re after country elegance, try a Harris tweed blazer or a Donegal wool sports jacket. These are perfect for layering, and you’ll spot them at Galway races, paired with flat caps and brogues for that unmistakably Irish look.

Trench coats deserve a mention too. Save for modern takes, most have a double-breasted button closure and a tie belt. They’re brilliant for when the rain sneaks in sideways—a frequent early morning experience for anyone in Limerick or Sligo. Meanwhile, country folk still reach for the waxed cotton or moleskin buttoned jackets, easy to clean after a stint in a muddy field and usually picked up from places like Blarney Woollen Mills or the local farmers’ mart.

Even in modern streetwear, the zipless jacket refuses to be left out. Think about bomber jackets with snap-button fronts, or the open-fronted relaxed shackets (shirt-jacket hybrids) popping up in shops around St. Stephen’s Green. Big Irish brands—like Magee or Dubarry—have seasonal collections featuring these classic closures, proving you can keep warm without ever fumbling with a stubborn zip.

When and Where to Wear: Local Occasions for Zipless Jackets

There’s a time and place for every jacket, and zipless options have become staples for Irish occasions big and small. For starters, the post-work pint—grabbing a casual pub meal at Grogan's or catching some trad music at The Crane Bar in Galway—a buttoned wool coat is both stylish and sensible. You’ll spot them at rugby matches, farmers’ markets, and, of course, weddings (yes, Irish outdoor weddings deserve a toggled coat in April).

Are you a fan of festivals? Fleadh Cheoil, Electric Picnic, Galway Arts Festival—come rain or shine, a sturdy duffle or trench means you’re prepared for a soaking without crinkling in a synthetic raincoat or wrestling with a dodgy zip in the porter queue. It’s also about legacy: plenty of Irish folks inherit their jackets, especially buttoned and toggled ones, since they actually improve with age and a bit of weathering. A three-generations-old Donegal tweed coat with battered leather buttons tells a story—who wouldn’t want that?

Folks working outdoors—like farmers or fishermen—swear by sturdy, zipless jackets for sheer reliability and ease of movement. Whether you’re up at dawn in the Burren or minding sheep in the Mournes, a quick button-up closure is less faff and more function. And if you ever catch a chill on an evening walk at Phoenix Park, there’s nothing more comforting than wrapping up in a thick toggle-fastened coat, pockets stuffed with gloves, hat, and a sneaky chocolate bar.

Buying and Caring for Your Zip-Free Irish Jacket

Let’s be real for a sec—not all jackets without zippers are created equal. In Ireland, you’ll get what you pay for. Locally made jackets, especially those crafted in places like Donegal or with fabrics from Blarney Woollen Mills, offer more warmth, style, and stamina than anything churned out fast-fashion style. When you’re comparing options in Arnotts or Brown Thomas, check the quality of the buttons or toggles—are they sewn on tight? Are backup buttons sewn into the lining (many Irish brands do this as a token of their lasting pride)?

Here’s a tip: try the fit over a heavy jumper, because you’ll be layering during the typical Irish spring. Bonus: Look for machine-washable wool blends if you can’t be bothered with dry cleaning. As for maintenance, don’t let buttons dangle—get a local tailor to reinforce them, or fix them yourself. In salty coastal spots, wooden or horn toggles win over metal, since they don’t corrode.

Price-wise, you’ll find a range. Here’s a table showing typical prices in Ireland for common no-zip jackets as of June 2025:

A final tip: if you’re travelling across Ireland, pack at least one jacket without a zipper. It won’t let you down in Mullingar rain or on a ferry to the Aran Islands. Keep it in good nick, and it’ll serve you season after season—a bit like the Irish weather, always ready to surprise.