Whether you’ve been invited to an ugly Christmas-sweater party or you just want to have a few laughs during the holidays, ugly Christmas sweaters are a fun clothing item. They range from family friendly to edgy and feature a large variety of designs. Some of these designs are traditional, while others step outside the box. This large selection allows you to find the perfect sweater for your needs.
The Ugly Christmas Sweater Company Men’s Light-Up LED Sweater is memorable, to say the least. It features functioning LED lights that flash when you move and an ultra-cool reindeer sporting sunglasses. The noncontroversial design of this sweater is appropriate for any setting.
What to know before you buy an ugly Christmas sweater
Type of theme
When it comes to ugly Christmas sweaters, there are different themes available.
Cute and family-friendly themes have inoffensive, widely acceptable and traditional designs. Examples include a benevolent Santa Claus and happy snowmen.
Funny Christmas themes have some sort of humorous element to them. They might leverage a funny play on words. These designs can be either G-rated or verge on adults-only.
Sassy themes have bite to them. They typically veer towards the adults-only territory and often use sarcasm. For example, the design might depict a gingerbread man saying, “Bite me!”
Adult themes are undeniably edgy. They’re not appropriate for children or for work-related events.
Sweater style
As with other types of sweaters, ugly Christmas sweaters are available in several different styles. Clothing companies seem to favor cardigans and pullovers for holiday sweaters, but you do have other options. These styles include vest, boyfriend, half-zip and oversized.
Accurate sizing
Don’t assume that just because it’s an ugly Christmas sweater, the way it fits you doesn’t matter. The fit of a sweater affects not only its appearance but also how comfortable you feel in it. To this end, you should choose the size as carefully as you do the design and material. Using your measurements and comparing them to the retailer’s size chart is the surefire way to determine your accurate size.
So, how do you get your measurements without the assistance of a tailor? It’s much easier than you might assume. First, make sure you have flexible measuring tape, not the stiff kind. Then follow these guidelines:
Get your sleeve measurement by extending the tape from your wrist, up your arm and stopping at the middle of your back.
Get your length measurement by holding the tape at the midway point of your neck and extending it to the narrowest part of your waistline.
Get your bust or chest measurement by encircling the area at the fullest point for women and measuring from one underarm to another for men.
Ugly Christmas sweater features
Material
Some types of material are warmer than others and therefore, a better fit for the height of winter and colder climates. These materials include wool and cashmere. Other fabrics like cotton are more lightweight and provide less insulation. Sweaters made of these materials are great for layering.
Hemline length
You can choose from several different hemline lengths on ugly Christmas sweaters including cropped, waist-length, hip-length, mid-thigh, knee-length and ankle-length.
Design details
One of the most appealing aspects of ugly Christmas sweaters is the whimsical design details they feature. Fun options include reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes, snowmen, candy canes, Christmas ornaments, gift-wrapped packages, Christmas trees and Christmas wreaths.
Ugly Christmas sweater cost
Most ugly Christmas sweaters are reasonably priced in the $20-$50 range, with few exceeding the top end of the range.
Ugly Christmas sweater FAQ
When can you wear an ugly Christmas sweater?
A. Ugly Christmas sweaters are designed to wear specifically for fun. You can wear yours at everything from a family gathering to an ugly Christmas sweater party. Be aware of your office’s dress code policy if you wish to wear the sweater to work. Make sure it doesn’t violate the policy.
Is there really a National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day?
A. Yes, National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day is indeed a real, designated day (but then again, so is National Lumpy Rug Day). The event is on December 18, and it honors people who have the sense of humor to sport one of these sweaters.
Which ugly Christmas sweater should I get?
Best of the best ugly Christmas sweater
Ugly Christmas Sweater Company Men’s Light-Up LED Sweater: available at Amazon
Our take: Festooned with functioning LED Christmas lights, this sweater makes a lasting impression.
What we like: If there’s such a thing as a statement sweater, this is it. The multicolored LED lights are motion-activated, so they flash on and off when you move. The reindeer depicted on the front looks cool in sunglasses and is family-friendly. The cotton and acrylic blend is soft yet sturdy.
What we dislike: The complaint made most frequently among the small number of unhappy buyers was the lights. A few said they malfunctioned, while a couple said they were missing entirely.
Best bang for your buck ugly Christmas sweater
Blizzard Bay Men’s Llama Sweater: available at Amazon
Our take: Featuring an adorable llama, this ugly Christmas sweater has a unique theme.
What we like: The cute llama design gives you a different option than the standard Christmas figures. This sweater also features a stylish red-and-white knitted Nordic pattern. The attached scarf is three-dimensional and the llama is soft and fuzzy. Material is 100% cotton.
What we dislike: At least a couple of buyers cautioned that when they washed the sweater, the red dye bled onto the llama, turning it pink.
Honorable mention ugly Christmas sweater
Tipsy Elves Women’s Sequin Embellished Snowman Christmas Sweater: available at Amazon
Our take: A smiling snowman with a demeanor full of holiday cheer sets the mood and sequins make this sweater sparkle.
What we like: Who says an ugly Christmas sweater can’t be a little cute? Set against an understated gray background, the design details of this Christmas sweater shine. Sequins embellish the spirited snowman. Large snowflakes cover the front and back of the sweater. The collar, sleeves and hemline are finished in ribbed knit.
What we dislike: A boxy fit, overly wide neckline and shrinkage after washing were the issues cited by a handful of buyers. Megan Oster is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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