How to Style an Ugly Christmas Sweater
There is no better time of year than the holidays to have fun with fashion. Battery-operated tree light necklaces? Rock them. Beaded and bedazzled theme earrings? I own them, and I support wearing them. And ugly Christmas sweaters? They've been popular for decades, they're a lot of fun, and I love styling ugly Christmas sweaters this time of year.
Christmas-themed sweaters became popular in the 1950s, with patterns teaching knitters how to incorporate a reindeer or snowflake into their work. In the 60s, and 70s, stores began selling Christmas-themed sweaters, and they were worn as stylish and warm garments, often seen on singers in Christmas-themed TV specials. In the 80s, a Christmas-themed sweater was a favorite of dads and school teachers.
However, the Christmas sweater fell out of fashion… until the 2000s when folks began finding them at thrift stores and wearing them ironically to holiday events. Thus, the Ugly Christmas Sweater was born.
These days, most ugly Christmas sweaters are store-bought, specifically designed to be garish, silly, and “ugly.” However, many also D.I.Y their ugly Christmas sweaters, embellishing a simple pullover with tinsel, ornaments, ribbons, and even battery-operated twinkle lights. While these sweaters may have started being focused on Christmas iconography, now such sweaters can be found for other religion's winter holidays as well as a general theme of winter and celebration.
Thrifted, knitted, hand-decorated, or store-bought, I will share a roundup of ways to create a stylish yet still fun ugly Christmas sweater outfit.
How to Style an Ugly Christmas Sweater
Just because your sweater is ugly doesn't mean your outfit has to be ugly. Ugly Christmas are ubiquitous this time of year, and can be dressed up and down for most any social occasion this season and fit most any personal style aesthetic. It's easy to style an ugly Christmas sweater with jeans, leggings, or sweats. But I will share some ways to dress up your ugly Christmas sweater!
What Is An Ugly Christmas Sweater?
An ugly Christmas sweater isn't always ugly… and it's not always Christmas-themed. Ugly Christmas sweaters (and sweatshirts) have a holiday or winter theme mixed with humor, irony, and garish combinations (hence being called ugly). They are colorful sweaters that make quite a statement (and make getting dressed each holiday season all the more easy).
When Did the Ugly Christmas Sweater Start?
Vancouver claims to have originated the concept of the ugly Christmas sweater, with two residents hosting an ugly Christmas sweater party in 2002 that had the dress code of wearing an ugly sweater. However, Kalamazoo, Michigan, believes a few of their college students invented the concept a few years prior.
Called the Turtleneck and Sweater Holiday Extravaganza, the concept was dressing retro like their parents did for Christmases past. Donning corny holiday sweaters and fake mustaches, the party was such a success it became an annual event. (source)
How To Dress Up An Ugly Christmas Sweater
Here are five ways to dress up an ugly Christmas sweater. Going beyond the basics, I hope these ideas on how to style an ugly Christmas sweater will inspire you to have fun, be festive, but also be fashionable this season!
Glam Up with Sequins
You can't go wrong over the holiday season with a sequin skirt. In a classic straight to subtle a-line style, from above the knee to midi length, a sequin skirt in black or a metallic will glam up your holiday looks but also be a great wardrobe addition other parts of the year.
sweater (XS-4X) | booties | lipstick | earrings
I didn't link to the sequin skirt because this is a personal preference. I featured a black below-the-knee sequined pencil skirt, but this can be a short a-line, can be just below the knee, and could be red green or, or gold. For great size-inclusive tights, I highly recommend Snag.
The sweater can be untucked with an above-the-knee skirt, but for longer skirts, it would look better tucked in; here are my tips on how to tuck in a sweater without bulk.
Go Work Friendly with Ivory Trousers
sweater | belt | mock turtleneck | earrings | shoes
Think ugly Christmas sweaters can't look appropriate in the workplace? If you balance the kitsch with classic trousers, loafers, and simple jewelry. I am a fan of ivory in winter, especially with bold colors and prints, as it adds a level of polish and elegance. If you desire a base layer, consider a fitted turtleneck or shell in the same color as the trousers.
Add a Cool Factor with Faux Leather Jeans
sweater (XS-3XL) | faux leather jeans (00-30 & tall/petite) | sneakers | earrings | eyeliner
Want to stay comfortable but not wear denim? Consider a pair of faux leather jeans! They add shine and a “cool” factor while still being stretchy and warm in the winter. Pair with sneakers and hoops and consider a metallic eyeliner to match a color in your sweater!
Layer with a White Collared Shirt
sweater (S-XL) | shirt (XS-4X & petite/tall) | earrings | bracelet | loafers (wide widths available)
Oh, the irony: to style an ugly Christmas sweater in a super classic manner… channel your inner Andy Williams by wearing a white collared shirt underneath. However, unlike Mr. Williams, I would either button to the top or unbutton one button and keep the lapels under the sweater collar. I have the combination here with wide-leg black jeans, but it could be worn with regular jeans, a plaid skirt, a sequin skirt, or some holiday plaid trousers.
A more tailored sweater would look good with trousers and longer skirts; tuck in the collared shirt's tails. For an oversized ugly Christmas sweater, consider a tunic-length shirt so the shirttails peek out and style with a shorter skirt or even faux leather leggings.
Go Hard or Go Home
sweater (XS-4XL) | pants (2-14 & petite) | shoes | earrings | headband
Embrace the tacky and over the top concept of an ugly Christmas sweater and take it up a notch by styling with plaid ankle pants and kitchy holiday-themed earrings. Personally, I think it's very chic to embrace a dress code and have fun with your fashion. And what better time of year than Christmas to go hard or go home with holiday cheer?
Did you like what you just read?
Consider tapping here to buy me a coffee in thanks. The best gift you can give a content creator is the gift of sharing. Consider sharing this article on Facebook or Pinterest. Thank you so much for your support!
