Once the hallmark of kindergarten teachers and cheek-pinching aunties, the ugly holiday sweater is now a cultural icon worn both proudly and ironically at festive parties throughout the season. We’ve rounded up this year’s most heinous knits.
By Gail Wilcoxen
0/27
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Festive Sweaters: So Bad They’re Good.
The choice for costume lovers:
The choice for costume lovers: This sweater kills two birds with one stone – a festive knit that doubles as a costume. All you need now is a red nose. amazon.co.uk
1/27
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Festive Sweaters: So Bad They’re Good.
The choice for old-school gamers:
The choice for old-school gamers: You’re sure to get the high score with this retro, arcade-style sweater in all its pixelated glory. amazon.co.uk
2/27
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Festive Sweaters: So Bad They’re Good.
The choice for pop culture gurus:
The choice for pop culture gurus: This one is so awful that you can’t look away…ah the magic of the Internet. Santa can break it, too! tipsyelves.com
3/27
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Festive Sweaters: So Bad They’re Good.
The choice for jokesters
The choice for jokesters: The life of a gingerbread man, realistically depicted. You’ll get appreciative chuckles while wearing this at the office party. tipsyelves.com
4/27
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Festive Sweaters: So Bad They’re Good.
The choice for eclectic animal lovers
The choice for eclectic animal lovers: Look how cute! Narwhals: the unicorns of the sea… tipsyelves.com
5/27
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Festive Sweaters: So Bad They’re Good.
The choice for couch potatoes
The choice for couch potatoes: What’s the only thing better than the holidays? Celebrating them with a sloth, of course. amazon.com
6/27
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Festive Sweaters: So Bad They’re Good.
The choice for those on the Dark Side
The choice for those on the Dark Side: The two most exciting things about this December: the holiday season, and, obviously, the new Star Wars movie. It doesn’t get any better than this. amazon.co.uk
7/27
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Festive Sweaters: So Bad They’re Good.
The choice for the die-hard Star Wars fan:
The choice for the die-hard Star Wars fan: Go carolling across the galaxy in style. How awesomely awkward is this? You know you want it. amazon.co.uk
8/27
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Festive Sweaters: So Bad They’re Good.
The choice for cat freaks:
The choice for cat freaks: There is some much awesomeness going on in this sweater, we can’t even deal with it. Just take it all in. amazon.com
9/27
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Festive Sweaters: So Bad They’re Good.
For those willing to go the extra mile
For those willing to go the extra mile: Everyone knows that the best ugly holiday sweaters are the ones with assorted baubles stuck all over them (and cats. Always cats). Up your tacky game with this ultimate ugly statement piece. tipsyelves.com
10/27
Style
Festive Sweaters: So Bad They’re Good.
The choice for Doctor Who fans
The choice for Doctor Who fans: These days, you can buy an ugly Christmas sweater with pretty much any subject matter… so obviously, there’s one out there for Doctor Who enthusiasts. Let your geek flag fly. etsy.com
11/27
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Festive Sweaters: So Bad They’re Good.
The choice for cynical dinosaur fans
The choice for cynical dinosaur fans: Ok, so you’ve been told to wear something “festive” to the family dinner… they didn’t say it had to be cheerful though, did they? Exactly. amazon.com
12/27
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Festive Sweaters: So Bad They’re Good.
The choice for the Christmas movie connoisseur:
The choice for the Christmas movie connoisseur: A Christmas Story is a holiday film classic with a cult following. Some folks might just think you’re wearing a weird sweater, but those in the know will nod in approval. amazon.com
13/27
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Festive Sweaters: So Bad They’re Good.
The choice for the classics enthusiast
The choice for the classics enthusiast: You might have been scared of the abominable snowman as a kid watching the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer special during the holidays, but he looks pretty adorable on a sweater. Bonus: Real Christmas lights! etsy.com
14/27
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Festive Sweaters: So Bad They’re Good.
The choice for kids at heart:
The choice for kids at heart: Inspired by another classic, though more recent, Christmas film. “Buddy the Elf, what’s your favourite colour?”. amazon.co.uk
15/27
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Festive Sweaters: So Bad They’re Good.
The choice for pizza eaters:
The choice for pizza eaters: Lots of us imagine the holiday season involving snow, but those in warmer climates might opt for a t-shirt version of the ugly Christmas sweater. For example this one, which makes us hungry. etsy.com
16/27
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Festive Sweaters: So Bad They’re Good.
The choice for superheroes
The choice for superheroes: “Jingle bells, Batman smells, Robin laid an egg! Batmobile lost a wheel and Joker ran away, hey!” etsy.com
17/27
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Festive Sweaters: So Bad They’re Good.
The choice for Christmas grumps
The choice for Christmas grumps: You’re a mean one… so wear this shirt to show your anti-holiday cheer. etsy.com
18/27
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Festive Sweaters: So Bad They’re Good.
The choice for Harry Potter people
The choice for Harry Potter people: Okay, you’ve finally admitted that after many years of waiting, your Hogwarts letter isn’t coming… so celebrate the holidays like the muggle you are, in style. etsy.com
19/27
Style
Festive Sweaters: So Bad They’re Good.
The choice for dogs with taste
The choice for dogs with taste: The holidays aren’t just for humans, you know! This sweater will keep your furry friend warm and looking good. amazon.co.uk
20/27
Style
Festive Sweaters: So Bad They’re Good.
The choice for goofy pets:
The choice for goofy pets: Never has this quote from Home Alone been more appropriate. etsy.com
21/27
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Festive Sweaters: So Bad They’re Good.
The choice for your bundle of joy
The choice for your bundle of joy: Everyone else makes the Christmas sweater tradition ugly, but your little one makes it cute. Also: tiny Santa hat! amazon.com
22/27
Style
Festive Sweaters: So Bad They’re Good.
The choice for Santa’s little helpers:
The choice for Santa’s little helpers: Everybody loves an underdog, which is probably why we can’t get enough of Rudolph. This one is extra cute because it’s extra small, for the kids on Santa’s good list. amazon.com
23/27
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Festive Sweaters: So Bad They’re Good.
For the kids that won’t stop singing “Let it Go”
For the kids that won’t stop singing “Let it Go”: We know – you can already hear them squealing in delight while pulling this over their heads. amazon.com
24/27
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Festive Sweaters: So Bad They’re Good.
The choice for future paleontologists
The choice for future paleontologists: Your kid’s favourite things, all on one sweater. What would Christmas be without a T-Rex? Boring, probably. amazon.com
25/27
Style
Festive Sweaters: So Bad They’re Good.
The choice for tiny trendsetters
The choice for tiny trendsetters: This one truly is ugly, but in that perfect Christmas-sweater way. tipsyelves.com
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