An Entertaining Chronicle of the Ugly Christmas Sweater

Step aside, shimmering Christmas trees, wreaths, eggnog, stockings, and the mystery gift exchange at the office—there’s a new sensation in town. Over the past decade, the Ugly Christmas Sweater has firmly entrenched itself in the festive culture.

Picture it: a warm pullover, usually in different shades of of red, white, and green, often crafted from questionable fabric, adorned with at least one Christmas-themed design—be it a snowman, tinsel, a reindeer, or candy canes. Bonus points if it boasts 3D pom-poms or jingle bells.

This garment swiftly evolved into a holiday essential, as commonplace as Christmas lights and gift wrap. It’s loud and gaudy, yet simultaneously fuzzy and somewhat wholesome—the fashion equivalent of a tongue-in-cheek Hallmark Christmas movie.

However, the journey of the ugly Christmas sweater into the realm of Christmas essentials was not instantaneous.

These festive sweaters made their debut in the 1950s, possibly reflecting the increasing commercialization of the holiday. Initially dubbed “Jingle Bell Sweaters“, they were not as flamboyant as today’s versions and struggled to gain popularity. Notable exceptions were found in some TV personalities, particularly crooners Val Doonican and Andy Williams, who wholeheartedly embraced the less glamorous side of holiday fashion.

It wasn’t until the 1980s that these sweaters gained widespread popularity, thanks to influences from pop culture and comedies. Characters like Chevy Chase’s Clark Griswold in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” transformed the holiday sweater into an unattractive yet endearing symbol of festive cheer. While not considered fashionable, snowflake-covered sweaters radiated holiday spirit and became a staple at office parties and on Christmas Day.

However, this resurgence was short-lived. In the 1990s, the popularity of Christmas sweaters dwindled, relegated to something only unfashionable relatives might wear or gift. By the early 2000s, these garments were widely seen as fashion faux pas.

The early 2000s saw a revival of the Christmas sweater, with the emergence of themed parties and events. According to the “Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Book,” the first such gathering took place in Vancouver in 2002. Brian Miller, one of the book’s authors, attributed the change in perspective to someone wearing the sweater humorously, shifting people’s perception from disdain to appreciation for its comedic side.

This revival paved the way for the ugly Christmas sweater to become a new holiday tradition. Fast-fashion retailers and high-end stores alike began featuring flashy designs each holiday season. Vintage stores and charitable organizations capitalized on the trend, expanding their inventory of fuzzy snowmen and dancing Santa pullovers. Even renowned fashion brands like Stella McCartney, Givenchy, and Dolce & Gabbana joined the trend.

In 2012, the ugly sweater craze reached a turning point with the launch of Christmas Jumper Day by UK charity Save the Children. Described as “this season’s must-have” by The Telegraph, Ugly Christmas Sweater-themed events and runs gained popularity. The knits themselves became more extravagant, featuring additional tinsel, bells, and quirky details, reaching the pinnacle of kitsch.

Celebrities, including Taylor Swift and Kanye West, embraced the trend, and late-night talk show host Jimmy Fallon introduced the regular segment “12 Days of Christmas Sweaters.”

The advent of social media further elevated the “It” status of the ugly sweater, as people now compete to showcase their Christmas sweater love on platforms like Instagram. From mass retailers to fast-food chains, and even fashion houses, everyone offers their take on this festive garment.

Reflecting on the unexpected journey, Brian Miller remarked, “When I attended my first Ugly Sweater Party in the early 2000s, I would have never anticipated the garment would take off like this. Although it’s easy to see why: ugly knits can be worn by anyone—from my daughter at her school’s ugly sweater contest to office workers at their end-of-year party. They’re democratic. And they’re a lot of fun. Christmas can be quite stressful—wearing something ridiculous can help take the pressure off.”

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