The holiday sweater: Yay or nay?
by Susan WagnerThere 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.
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Comments
A definite "no"
Designer or not, the reindeer are, um, oddly placed on the Ralph Lauren one.
Available Light & Five Dollar Radio
I'm a definite No except that ...
... I have exactly one holiday (any holiday ...) sweater that I bought on sale AFTER Christmas at least 15 years ago and I still like to wear it at least once during the holidays. It's a classic ...
As for your samples, whoa, there's way too much going on in those to consider even for wrapping paper for very small gifts.
Alanna Kellogg, A Veggie Venture
N o. No. Double no.
Not a fan of the holiday sweater. Kperfetto said it nicely about the rendeer sweater. I immediately thought "reindeer boobs" and giggled silently to myself. (Ever the mature one, I am.)
Mostly no.
In general, I think they are awful. But! A truly hideous one could be fun for kitsch factor in absolutely the right setting, like a holiday party with friends whose sense of humor it would fit - for example I could wear a handknit sweater with intarsia snowmen in bright acrylics to my knitting night because everyone would get a kick out of it. But to wear one without irony is kind of scary.
I don't think the Lands End sweater is truly awful, just a bit much - it might be OK in certain circumstances, like maybe for skiing or something. (I don't ski, so I am just making that up as an example.)
Annika
Through the Looking Glass
i can't help but loving snowflakes
while I have even gone so far as to ban intarsia animals and holiday appliques even from my toddler's bodies -- and have made it a general rule never to buy apparel which has the word 'novelty' in its title -- I have to admit to loving a good snowflake sweater. snowflakes are winter-y, not holiday! i'd never pay $79.50 for it though. I'll look for it at Goodwill after Christmas ;)
does this anti-holiday apparel edict extend to the $5 holiday t-shirts at target? (as I stuff the halloween t-shirts I wear year-round under the bed)
writer, photographer, mama @ cafemama.com
Bad Santa!
I have a rule of thumb for my mom, who sometimes does not listen: No clothes with cute little animals on it, ever. That includes pumpkins, snowflakes, trees, Santas or witches.
Snowflake hater (and Susan lover) @ The Simple Family
Loophole: the Target tees
Sarah, I would put the Target tees into the same category as a good graphic tee; somehow, the fact that it's a T-SHIRT, which one wears for casual attire, and not something that you would break out for a formal family photo makes it okay.
Also the fact that it costs five dollars and not TWO HUNDRED makes it all better.
Friday Style | The Working Closet | Friday Playdate
OK. That Ralph Lauren
OK. That Ralph Lauren sweater made me LAUGH OUT LOUD.
Is it me, or did a man design the strategically placed reindeer?
That Ralph Lauren model does have a nice
rack...
... of reindeer antlers, doesn't she??
Ya know, I could duplicate stitch, applique, bead (nope, not knit...) almost all of these, but I wouldn't.
Holiday sweaters are just a big NO.
(hate to admit, but I'm still a little in love with the novelty socks...but only with sweats and tees...)
So is wearing a Santa hat everywhere for weeks before the big day.
Debra
A Stitch In Time
Deb's Daily Distractions
Not even on Nana
My grandmother wears these things. She has them for all the major holidays. She's 94 years old (and in remarkably great shape I might add) and still NO NO NO! Even on her they just look dorky.
Dawn
of DawnsRecipes.com
oh hell no
The Ralph Lauren sweater looks as if her boobs are about to kiss.
Once upon a time I wore a holiday sweatshirt. It was *highly* decorated with lights and reindeer and all manner of crap and I looked like a walking exploded christmas tree. I wore it because my grandmother gave it to me and I was hoping for money for christmas that year so I tried to make her happy.
So I wore it. In public. And there is photographic evidence of it. And it's completely hideous.
And seriously, I've never seen one that's not completely hideous.
no, no, NO!
A festive warm sweater? Sure?
But stay away from reindeer, lights, santa and (God forbid) baby Jesus.
just add light bulb earrings and you my dear,
have an outfit!
maybe for a four year old, but not for anyone over the age of five and then, that's totally pushing it.
Damn!
I was totally going to rock my red and green reindeer sweatshirt when I come visit. It has lights and sparkles on it and everything. I thought you would dig it, I guess not.
(That is my disgustingly sarcastic way of saying HELL no)
Heather B.
Personal Blog: No Pasa Nada
BlogHer CE: Business, Career & Personal Finance
Is there NO ONE who will defend the holiday
sweater?
Let's complicate this some: last year, I had some WONDERFUL teachers who stood up and said, "I wear the holiday sweater for the children." And I cut them some slack because I really DO have a heart.
No? No one? Hmm. Interesting.
And Bethany is right: no Baby Jesus on clothing. Really.
Friday Style | The Working Closet | Friday Playdate
I tried to view things objectively ...
but those reindeer on the RL sweater? Make my tits itch.
Well...I love the holiday sweater idea
And I had one until someone made me toss it a few weeks ago. A lovely one with poinsettias.
~TW
Retro-Food
it was ugly
good riddance
~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager
Fast Times @ Homeschool High & Flamingo House Happenings
I love holiday sweaters!
Everyone should have at least one holiday sweater, they are a totally essential piece of your wardrobe.
Because what else are you going to wear if you get invited to an Ugly/Tacky Sweater Party?
Rachel
Ralph Lauren reminding me of Janet Jackson?
Does that reindeer sweater remind anyone else of that Rolling Stone cover with a topless Janet Jackson, with her breasts cupped form behind by her boyfriend at the time (Rene Elizondo I think.)
Anyone?
Elisa Camahort
BlogHer
elisa@blogher.org
Absolutely not. Not even for yard work.
Decorate your tree, not your tetas.
Holiday apparel is a gift you give to someone you detest and would be pleased to see looking as asexual as possible. Don't do that to yourself! If you feel the urge, it's just a virus: do black tee and jeans therapy for a week, and you'll feel much better.
Deb
www.debontherocks.com
when life throws you on the rocks, it's time to get your rocks off
I hate theme clothing!
Since I teach elementary school (otherwise known as the fashion wasteland) I get to see all kinds of theme clothing, not just for the holidays. You know, those teacher shirts with cute little somethings embroidered on them. Or sweatshirts with apples or school houses or stacks of books.
Just yuck. I wouldn't be caught dead in those kinds of clothes, and no holiday sweaters, ever!
Kalyn Denny
Kalyn's Kitchen
A Definitive Nay
But I would love to see the New Year's Eve edition of the Ralph Lauren sweater. What would it be?
Strategically placed champagne corks? Strategically placed New Year's Eve balls? Strategically placed noise makers?
The possibilities are endless.
Megan
Megan’s Minute
Ho-ho-ho-larious!
That Reindeer Boobs sweater? It made me choke on my coffee.
Holiday sweaters are one of those things that completely perplexes me - all fugliness aside, I hate the idea of clothing that is only appropriate for a single occasion.
Yes, of course we do holiday sweaters
That second sweater has my name on it... literally. What do you think the F stands for in my name?!
I love sweaters with snowflakes, and wear them year round. (Okay, in summer we wear t-shirts with snowflakes.) In the last few years snowflakes have made a comeback, which makes it easy to find flakey decor and clothing, especially around the holidays.
I really love that Lands End sweater...does it come in other colors?
KathyF
What Do I Know?
Holiday Sweaters
Holiday sweaters are both a blessing and a curse. Some are very lovely, but unless you are very thin, they do nothing for you (quite the reverse, in many cases).
They are not especially chic, by traditional standards. But they can be fun and festive, and I recently succumbed and bought one.
I will probably feel like a dork in it.
Not for me
I hate holiday sweaters. They are too "teacher" for me. I think you should have to be a teacher to wear one.
BlogHer Contributing Editor, Sports and Fitness
Sarah and the Goon Squad
Draft Day Suit
Noooooooooooooooooo!
In general no. They are usually too busy, but a red or green sweater with a white snowflake or two is okay. No snowmen or blinking lights!! Please people! ; )
Anali
Grandmas get a pass...
I think Grandmas should be permitted to wear holiday sweaters for the bemusement of their grandkids.
I have a Fair Isle zip-up cardigan that is black with a white band with red and green accents. It doesn't scream Holiday, but it is about as festive as I get.
One day at breakfast, I saw a man and wife wearing matching decorated holiday sweatshirts - white with gold braid coming down from the neckline, to gold-trimmed tree ornaments made of plaid red and green applique. She had obviously made them. He looked miserable, but I thought "Dang, that is a man who LOVES his wife."
aww, sweet little man
I think it goes without saying that a) matching sweaters are a NO, and b) compelling someone to wear your hand-crafted matching sweaters is also a no. Especially when they have ornaments on them.
Knitting a beautiful snowflake-patterned sweater for your beloved? A huge yes.
Friday Style | The Working Closet | Friday Playdate