Designer or not, the reindeer are, um, oddly placed on the Ralph Lauren one.

Available Light & Five Dollar Radio

... 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

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.)

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

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

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

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 sweater made me LAUGH OUT LOUD.

Is it me, or did a man design the strategically placed reindeer?

... 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

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

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.

A festive warm sweater? Sure?

But stay away from reindeer, lights, santa and (God forbid) baby Jesus.

maybe for a four year old, but not for anyone over the age of five and then, that's totally pushing it.

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

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

but those reindeer on the RL sweater? Make my tits itch.

And I had one until someone made me toss it a few weeks ago. A lovely one with poinsettias.

~TW
Retro-Food

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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 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.

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

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

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."

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

I detest Christmas sweaters, as much as I detest Christmas necklaces and bracelets.

One year I was playing with the handbell choir at church. For the Christmas service they said, "Everyone wear your favorite Christmas sweater!" I didn't have anything even remotely Christmasy. I found a $7 faux velvet maroony-red top ... short sleeves because we were in West TX and it was 80 degrees, for Pete's sake. I got several sad faces when I arrived (I was the. only. person. that did not have bobbles of some sort hanging off her top).

What did I get the next year? Yup. A Christmas sweater from one of the women and a VEST from another.

*vomit*

I have kids, and I do all sorts of things I hate for my kids. So, I have made it very clear that I DO NOT WANT ANY CHRISTMAS SWEATERS - EVER!!!!!

Just so there are no misunderstandings.

Christine

www.christinemoers.blogspot.com

Christine, that was hilarious.

And no vests! Ever! Holy moly.

Friday Style | The Working Closet | Friday Playdate

Well, I have to admit. If I ever WAS to wear a holiday sweater, I could bear to get a Norwegian Sweater which is the official holiday sweater of my Urban Scandinavian-American neighborhood.

Especially if I ever morph into a hot, 6" tall, blonde nordic-looking mommy. Because that would be fine with me.

http://www.sweater.no/shop/products.asp?lang=44&catid=69

And I am not kidding. Everyone wears these at the holidays here. And drinks Glogg. Lots and lots of Glogg.

Daisy

I am an Elementary Teacher. I do, yes I do wear holiday sweaters! My students love them. Most of the time I stick to a "normal" sweater dressed up with a candycane turtleneck, or the cream colored sweater that has small holly (small, tasteful holly prints) scattered randomly about. But I do own one very Christmas-y sweater, and I do wear it to school.
Are y'all okay with my wearing my Grinch pin when the kids are getting too wild close to the holidays?

I own a light-blue sweater with one single white snowflake in the middle of it. I bought it at a maternity shop last winter and I still confess to liking it. But since I'm not above accepting fashion advice, I will promise to wear it only at home from now on. Knitted vomit, LOL!!

I used to have a holiday sweatshirt (worse than a sweater) that was personalized with glitter paints, and featured my name in the middle of a holiday wreath. Having to wear that to make the giver happy turned me off of holiday wear in general. BUT, I think there is something fun and funny about them. They're a conversation piece. Anything to lighten the stress of the holiday season is welcome in my book. In fact, maybe I'll get one this year...

Susan at Working Moms Against Guilt

Susan, I do have to agree with your last point, about finding ways to lighten the stress of the holiday season. I am being won over by the idea of the Holiday Sweater party, where guests are invited to wear their worst holiday-themed attire. I like the irony and kitsch and irreverance of this kind of celebration. It's the perfect venue for that Ralph Lauren reindeer sweater. Assuming you've got the boobs.

And Daisy, I say wear the Grinch pin! Perfect for those wild days with kids who are counting down to Christmas.

Friday Style | The Working Closet | Friday Playdate

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....

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.

Friday Style | The Working Closet | Friday Playdate

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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!

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.

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.)

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

Thank you.

Friday Style | The Working Closet | Friday Playdate

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