BlogHer - The holiday sweater: Yay or nay? - Comments

Lisa, I will give you the skirts

Susan Wagner — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 13:27:54 -0600

...for two reasons.

1. You are making them, which is so cool.

2. You understand the kitsch value of them.

And you used the word "kitsch" correctly, which I also appreciate.

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i don't even put my kid in holiday sweater

Blog Mama — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 10:31:26 -0600

Seriously. Who DOES look good in reindeers? We've been given some "very nice" sweaters for our son over the years, both new and lightly used. And, not to so sound like a totally snob, but they went straight for the Good Will pile. Hmmm....now I wonder if I should have burned them instead. They really should have been taken out of circulation.

What about skirts?

polkadotcreations — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 08:34:02 -0600

I'm totally with you on the sweater thing. But something about making my own kitschy holiday skirts has really grabbed me lately. I haven't made Christmas yet, but I did do Halloween and Thanksgiving...

My Christmas fabric is in the washing machine as we speak...

I think it's the kitsch factor of the vintagey prints that I like. And that I made them myself.

Lisa Clarke
Polka Dot Creations

Oh my goodness

Susan Wagner — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 18:47:47 -0600

Trixamina, the image of elves holding up the post-baby boobs made my whole day.

Thank you.

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Never!

suzanned — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 17:08:30 -0600

I teach - kindergarten even - and I don't wear theme clothing. Although I do have a cute Target shirt with a silvery snowflake on it. I like shiny & sparkles. (Today I wore black wool trousers, a sparkly silver-gray INC sleeveless knit type shirt, and a black jacket.)

Yay and Nay

ElaineVigneault — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 16:22:54 -0600

Nay on giving or receiving them as gifts, but Yay on wearing them yourself. I love seeing people in ridiculous holiday sweaters. It makes me smile.

Read my mind.

First off- loved Bridget

Trixamina — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 15:47:33 -0600

First off- loved Bridget Jones' Diary and that scene at the Christmas party- fabulous!

Second, and I can't believe I am the first to mention it, Uh, my boobs get squished enough from children climbing all over me and they already hang to my belly button, so to then wear a sweater with reindeer stomping on them...Yeeesh!

How about a sweater with elves holding my breasts up?- now that, I might wear!

Puhlease to the Puhlease

sarcasticjournalist — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 12:43:50 -0600

I'm pretty sure that Holiday Sweaters are life and are, in fact, very important. No, really important.

It is a FASHION blog; not rocket science.

Under (almost )No Circumstance

alyssaroyse — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 09:29:56 -0600

In general, no no no no no. ICK. Same is true for all holidays. no.

That said, I like the snowflake sweater enough that it would not upset me to see someone wearing it (and may head to Goodwill to see if I can find one.) And i do ave a gorgeous, decidedly wintery, traditional Scandinavian sweater that I got when we lived in Denmark. And yes, teachers of little kids get a pass, but they can ONLY be worn IN THE CLASSROOM.

Here's a link to a great holiday sweater site, be sure to knit your own, it's funny:

http://weloveholidaysweaters.wehatesheep.com/

___________
Alyssa Royse
JUST CAUSE
make some good news!
www.JustCauseIt.com

Holiday wear for boys

Susan Wagner — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 08:46:51 -0600

Nicole, my sons are currently up in arms about the lack of sparkly holiday socks for boys. I'm thinking I'll buy them some girl's socks, because they want them, and why not?

And Mojavi, your point is a good one, but I stand by what I've said, because it's part of a larger belief that what we wear influences how people perceive and treat us. Holiday sweaters, as the writer at Fashion Police point out, look like children's wear; dressing like a child encourages people to treat you like a child.

Friday Style | The Working Closet | Friday Playdate

Whew, glad the target ts get

wksocmom — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 00:36:09 -0600

Whew, glad the target ts get a pass :) I've got one with a sparkly candy cane my kids love. Actually, that's the only reason I got themed halloween socks was the see the smile on my kid's faces. They were hidden at work :) But they were so bummed not to have their own. Why, or why, do they only make themed kids clothes in infants or girls (at the places I can afford, that is)? I made them their own valentines shirts when they were 2 and 3, as even the simple red girls shirts had to have ruffles.

Nicole/wksocmom
Not Just A Working Mom
Silicon Valley Moms

puuuhleeese

mojavi — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 22:34:00 -0600

Come on people------

It is just a sweater-- or jumper... whatever you want to call it. Life is too short to really hate a little holiday sweater! I say let go of the crazyness and buy a holiday sweater. Fashion police are so lame and so high school clickish. Let go of your inner child and wear a rudolph sweater.

mojavi---keep it simple

What was I thinking??

christinemoers — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 21:55:18 -0600

How could I forget to mention the year my mother-in-law made me a Christmas sweatshirt? White (and way too big), with a hand-painted Christmas tree on the front ... and lights (ACTUAL lights) poking through with a battery pack attached to the inside, because ... ya' know ... you have to light up the tree!

You think I'm kidding. I'm not. And she expected me to wear it that night so we could "all see how it looked outside when the sun went down!" Of course, I lived in fear all night, afraid I would sweat too much and melt battery acid all over my stomach.

Did I mention that they were flashing lights?

The year after that she hand-painted my oldest daughter and I matching Christmas sweatshirts with snowflakes and such. What do I hate more than way overboard Christmas sweaters? Matching Mommy-Daughter outfits.

Is there an award of some kind for the worst sweater torture? Cause I'm pretty sure I just wrapped it up ... with a big, fat, knitted snowman bow!

Christine

www.christinemoers.blogspot.com

Daisy! We need a link!

Susan Wagner — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 21:54:10 -0600

To your post! Pretty please!

Last year, when I asked The Internet about holiday sweaters, the consensus seemed to be that there was an Extra Special Loophole for teachers, particularly teachers of very small children, because very small children LOVE the holiday sweater, and that love carries over to the adult who is wearing it.

And I will tell you that my five-year-old reports with GREAT GLEE any time his teacher wears anything holiday themed. And I love her for doing it.

But I also heard from teachers who said no way no how no holiday sweaters.

At least we can ALL agree that the fine people at Ralph Lauren are insane. Yes? Yes.

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too much to say

Daisy — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 16:58:46 -0600

Daisy
I'm probably a candidate for What Not to Wear, but I posted at my own blog on this very topic. I admit it, I dress like a dork, and I reserve the right to do so. I'm overweight, so you won't see pictures, but since those very pictures would make people cringe anyway....

The holiday sweater: Yay or nay?

Susan Wagner — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 11:42:47 -0600

There is a wonderful moment near the beginning of Bridget Jones' Diary when Bridget first encounters Mark Darcy at a holiday party; he is wearing a green sweater emblazoned with a reindeer. It's a horrible sweater, and it serves as a touchstone for Bridget's initial dislike of Mark; later, when we find out that it was a gift from his mother, it illustrates his kindness.

But it truly is a horrible sweater, even on the very hott Colin Firth.

Berek Ski Lessons Novelty Zipper Cardigan, $89.99. No. Oh NO.

Last year, about this time, I asked the Internet about holiday sweaters; the response was both hilarious and surprising. The holiday sweater -- or "jumper," as Bridget Jones calls is -- inspires quite a lot of passion from sweater wearing people everywhere.

And because I am always one to stir the pot of controversy, I'm going to ask the Internet again this year: what say you to holiday sweaters? Yay or nay?

Wool family snowflake sweater, Lands' End, $79.50. For the WHOLE FAMILY. No.

I say no. Absolutely not.

I am all about the festive; I am also all about the bling. But wee little sequined Santas dancing across your boobs is just wrong. Holiday pajamas are fine, as long as you stay home in them, and I'll give you the holiday socks, although I don't really like those either. But holiday sweaters?

No.

Ralph Lauren reindeer wool sweater, $245.00. Better, but still no.

The holiday sweater is not chic; it is not pretty. Even the best holiday sweaters (if there really IS such a thing) look silly on a grown woman (or man, or Colin Firth). Feel free to decorate for the holidays, but limit the decorations to your house or office, not your self. Or, if you just cannot resist the lure of the holiday sweater, throw a Holiday Sweater Party, and give everyone permission to break out the reindeer jumpers.

And then put them away. Please.

I'm not the only one who feels this way. The Fashion Police cut right to the chase:

Our problem with Christmas sweaters is pretty much the same as our problem with novelty socks: it's that whole 'Dress Like a Toddler' trend in action again, isn't it? You see, LOTS of sweaters are "cosy". LOTS of socks are "warm". Not all "cosy and warm" sweaters and socks look like they belong on a three-year-old, though, do they? And thus is born one of the fundamental fashion laws of our time: adults should dress like adults. Kids should dress like kids. And no one over the age of seven should ever be seen in a holiday sweater...

And let's not forget the holiday pajamas with the footies in them. For ADULTS. No.

It's wonderful to feel like a child again at Christmas; don't dress like one. What to wear instead of the holiday sweater? Think sparkly jewelry (cocktail rings are big this year, both in terms of size and popularity) or luxurious fabrics (silk and cashmere and velvet, all of which are available at a variety of price points).

Just in case you are still tempted by the holiday sweater, take a moment to check out Lynette's ugly sweater gallery. There are no words to describe these sweaters, except possibly ouch.

Looking for more great holiday style ideas? Lesley Scott at Fashiontribes has you covered; Lesley talked with Carson Kressley about his partnership with TJ Maxx, and about how to festive up without breaking the bank.

Susan Wagner writes about fashion at Friday Style and The Working Closet, and about everything else at Friday Playdate. She has a little crush on Colin Firth.