Skip the Ugly Holiday Sweater. Wear This Instead

There are many things I like about the holidays—seeing old friends, having a reason to drink at 3 o’clock on a Wednesday, and giving gifts. But there are also a few reasons I’m not a fan, which mainly come down to hokeyness. I get embarrassed singing carols and even turn a bit red when I see those Rudolph noses on cars. And don’t even get me started on Ugly Sweater Parties…

Actually, do get me started. I have grievances to air on the many college parties and work events that have required me to spend good money on acrylic monstrosities I’ll only wear once a year. There’s a delicate balance between ignoring the ugly holiday sweater brigade and still being festive. The secret? Swap that holiday sweater for something you’ll actually wear that’s still in the spirit of the season. Here’s how we’d do it.

While there isn’t anything inherently bad about how an ugly holiday sweater looks—cute reindeer! A Fair Isle pattern!—it’s the mass production that kills the vibe. No one wants to spend money on something defined as “ugly,” so finding inexpensive alternatives is usually the route party-goers tend to take. Because of this, big box stores and cheap online retailers alike have saturated the niche with cheap polyester and acrylic sweaters which are meant to be worn for a couple of parties a year.

Not only are the fabric choices less than desirable, the fast-fashion “ugly sweater” is also going to lack structure. Mix that with garish patterns and you have yourself a night of being self-conscious and tugging at your ill-fitting sweater—and probably a little sweaty in all that acrylic, to boot.

So let’s buck the trend—and buy better. You can still wear something timely and seasonal without falling into the trap of being overtly festive. It’s all about finding the right pattern, fit, or cut that complements your personal style without shelling out more money for something that wouldn’t organically be in your wardrobe. And when all else fails? Add a few tastefully festive pieces into your rotation so no one can accuse you of being a Scrooge.

Below, I give a few options on what you should be wearing this holiday season, but I know a few of you will have those overly eager friends who will complain you didn’t dress up enough. The best way to avoid this from happening is to accessorize with a handful of holiday accessories to point to when you walk into a party overflowing with red and green polyester.

My preference for adding a touch of something festive is in the socks. They’re fairly inconspicuous and can be worn at the office, as well as any part you may attend this year. Anything from a candy-striped pair to a solid red will add just enough personality to fool others into thinking you put a lot of effort into your outfit. (This trio from Brooks Brothers, shown above, is a solid option.)

Another option is a tie. Yes, I’ll break my own rules here and say that a novelty tie may be the perfect compromise between meeting your friends’ expectations while keeping it subtle. A repeat print of reindeer or little Christmas trees can be charming when worn with a nice Oxford shirt, all tucked under a cozy, chunky knit. 

You may be wondering if a bowtie would work in this scenario, and I’m sorry to say the answer is no. Unless you’re a children’s party magician or one of Santa’s elves, even the holidays aren’t an excuse to throw on a bowtie. 

While a cream-colored sweater is a big departure from the traditional holiday sweater, it’s also a remarkably versatile option. The light color won’t clash with anything already in your wardrobe and would even look great with a little pop of red in your socks (or, hell, even a Santa hat). And the fact that it’s made from cashmere—most Aran sweaters are wool—means it’ll feel lightweight and a bit more breathable as the evening wears on.

Buy at Billie Todd

If you are in the market for a wool sweater, you’re probably not going to find one that beats Buck Mason. With its intricate pattern and classic shape, it’s a sweater that you’ll throw on year after year for just about any party you happen to find yourself at during the holidays.

Buy at Buck Mason

Holiday motifs can get a little stale and garish, so going with something more wintery is a bit of a cheat to stay festive but elevated. The Alpina sweater has the perfect balance between being a little quirky but undoubtedly well-designed. Handmade by Argentine artisans using llama wool, this is a sweater that will be a staple in your closet long after the holiday season is over.

Buy at Fields Outfitting

A similar approach at a lower price point is a graphic crewneck sweater from Abercrombie & Fitch. Featuring a classic holiday scene, it’s a cozy sweater that would look great layered with a white shirt underneath (and some eggnog in hand).

Buy at Abercrombie & Fitch

A common motif for the “ugly” sweater is the Fair Isle pattern, usually characterized by intricate, multicolored patterns in repeat rows. This gives Fair Isle an underserved bad rap. Fortunately, this example from Scotland-based knitwear company Howlin’ shows that good design is all about balancing color, fit, and quality fabrics.

Buy at Huckberry

One aspect of ugly holiday sweaters is that they’re a bit kitschy and a bit retro. Applying that same spirit, Percival’s crocheted crewneck has all the charm of something you’d find in your grandmother’s house, but done in a way that’s entirely modern and stylish. It’s not a stretch of the imagination to think you’ll find excuses to take this one out of the closet long into the New Year.

Buy at Percival Menswear