The Christmas sweater feels like one of those ever-present fashion items. Some of the first presidents probably wore them, and perhaps an ancient Egyptian Pharaoh had a collection of them. But the truth is, the Christmas sweater is a surprisingly modern trend.
It has also become a trend, with its own themes, its own parties, its own whole culture. So take a look at the different types of Christmas sweaters you can wear and learn how to wear them well.
Jingle Bell Sweaters
The first Christmas sweaters appeared in the 1950s, although the design is very low key compared to the modern Christmas sweaters you find in stores today. … They’re called Bell sweaters… … and they’re not that popular. Some of the guests and hosts who regularly appear on television do accept holiday-themed sweaters, including Andy Wilhemlms.
However, as far as the average fashion buyer is concerned, the Christmas sweater is not a very big deal. Still, sweaters hang in stores with sober, watered-down holiday designs, making for an occasional gift purchase. Maybe it’s something for that hard-to-get person.
Then the 1980s happened. This has been a decade of celebrating ugly fashion, and few other decades have been like this before. Conflicting colors, busy patterns, stripes, polka dots, heavy knitwear… … this is the normal fashion of the’80s. And in this decade, the Christmas sweater fits like a glove. Or a stocking. Suddenly, the Christmas sweater was back on the screen.
Chevy Chase wore one in one of his classic Christmas movies as the underdog Clark Griswold, who, for a decade, other popular figures of the time can also be seen wearing festive sweaters. For the most part, these sweaters are worn by slightly uncool characters. Yes, they were still called Bell sweaters at this time.
Turn of the Century
In the 1990s, Christmas sweaters were still the occasional add-on to dull characters in movies and television, and the pale-faced gift of the last desperate moment. But in 2001 and 2002, perceptions suddenly changed. All of a sudden, the Christmas sweater (now renamed for the new millennium) became cool because it was so uncool.
Here’s where the history of Christmas sweaters gets tricky. Some credit the surge in popularity to Bridget Jonnes’s diary, a now-revered classic and 2001 sleeping romantic comedy. In two key scenes, even better-looking Colin Faith wears a very ugly Christmas sweater. Renee as Bridget Jonnes Falls hopelessly in love with him, as does everyone else who has seen the film.
Then, the Christmas sweater is ugly and beautiful, cool and uncool, fashionable and unfashionable at the same time. According to fashion lore, the first ever Ugly Christmas sweater party was held in Vancouver, Canada, in 2002. These heroes began an enduring tradition that has since spread across the globe, inspiring parties, memos, videos, media and fun around the world.
The trend seems to have developed from there. Now, everyone has heard of the Ugly Christmas sweater. You might even be wearing one. There are many, many types of Christmas sweaters.
Even the most luxurious and beautiful fashion designers have jumped on the bandwagon with their own super-expensive holiday creations. So whether you’re choosing the ugliest sweater in the store or looking for something chic and stylish for the holidays, there are different types of Christmas sweaters to wear. Because if you don’t, you’re totally going to be the only one who doesn’t.
Making a Sweater
Wool was one of the earliest materials used by man to make clothes. Wool has natural moisture absorption, durability and insulation. It is the perfect material for clothing, and when woven, it can be used to create all kinds of warm, wonderful things. Wool is often used to make sweaters, although you will also find sweaters made of cotton and synthetic materials such as acrylic or polyester.
The first knitted outerwear to resemble a modern sweater appeared in Scandinavian Peninsula and Isles circa the 14th century. These places are cold and wet, and these areas are full of sheep, so they will create the first sweaters ever made. Since then, the fashion industry has had the idea of knitted outerwear.
Different types of Christmas sweaters
Sweaters have become such a staple of the wardrobe and a part of life that songwriters have created entire anthems for them. You probably wear a lot of sweaters in your life. But you may not know how many different types of Christmas sweaters you can try.
Boyfriend
Boyfriend sweaters are actually made for women. These sweaters are designed to look like something a man would wear, but it is worn by a woman. That means it has a boxy, bulky shape, like the sweater you take out of your boyfriend’s closet.
Cardigan
Cardigan is a sweater that needs no introduction. This is a famous sweater type, which is characterized by open design. A Cardigan sweater may have a button or zipper front, or it may not close at all. They usually have a v-neck, but this is not always the case and they are often used in Christmas sweater designs.
Cropped
Cutting sweaters shorter than the waist is not the most practical way to wear them in winter weather. Most people wear a second shirt under a tailored sweater. This can be a good look when you want to accentuate your waist and at the same time make your chest line look bigger. The Askew Christmas sweater adds a bit of sexiness to this now decades-old holiday trend.
Dress
If it’s a Christmas sweater skirt, the sweater skirt becomes more classic. Sweaters are designed to look like a long tube, usually knee-length or slightly shorter, and they hug all parts of the body. Now imagine it with reindeer dancing on it.
Fair Isle
Strictly speaking, the Fair Isle Sweater is not a Christmas sweater, but it is multi-coloured and looks festive enough at the crucial moment. Fair Isle sweaters, named after an island near Scotland, are vividly patterned in two to five different colours. Fair Isle sweaters are highly recognisable and are known to be favorites of the royal family.
Hooded
Hooded Christmas sweaters are a fun way to inject more holiday cheer into your look. In the design of the Christmas sweater, the hood is usually included in the overall theme of the sweater. That means your hood might look like a Santa Claus hat, a elf hat, or maybe a reindeer antler. If that’s not fun, then what is?
Mariusgenser
It’s not exactly a Christmas sweater, but since Mariusgenser is always made in red, white and blue, it definitely looks festive. This traditional Norwegian sweater became popular in the 1950s. The traditional patterns around the shoulders are heavier and definitely have a festive feel.
Vest
Few things warm up more than a sweater vest. If you want to spread Christmas cheer, but you don’t want to be super-warm while doing it, a sweater vest is a good choice. Wear it with a collared button-down shirt to complete your prep school look, and be sure to sip your eggnog carefully. You Don’t want any spillage on your Christmas sweater vest.