Are you looking for the perfect ugly holiday sweater to wear this season? Whether you’re attending an ugly sweater party or just want to get into the festive spirit, it can be hard to find the perfect ugly sweater. Luckily, with a few tips and tricks, you can find the perfect, ugly holiday sweater in no time. Read on to find out how to find the best ugly holiday sweaters for your holiday season.
With the winter holidays just around the bend, it's time to start looking for everyone's favorite item to shop for... ugly holiday sweaters! Don't get me wrong, I love a classic, cozy sweater for an everyday outfit during the colder months- but there's just something weirdly adorable about ugly holiday sweaters.
The ultimate goal is to really look like you just dug through your great aunt Sharon's closet to find the worst possible sweater in existence. Ever wonder exactly where ugly sweaters became a trend? Sure, when you look back on some past fashion trends, we all cringe... but this is one that people purposely started to be, well, ugly. It all began in the 1980's and sprouted from sitcoms like The Cosby Show. The trend further emerged through Chevy Chase's character in the Christmas classic film, "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation".
No matter what winter holiday you celebrate (or if you don't celebrate any), there are a ton of new sweaters that surface every year. I mean, did you know that December 18th is the official "National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day"? Yeah, apparently that's a thing. Whether you're determined to win the contest at an ugly sweater party or you just need some holiday clothing inspiration, check out our fave ugly holiday sweaters this year (and how to make your own).
Wear Questionable Colors
The first step to achieving the ultimate ugly sweater is to go for eccentric and mismatched colors. While you can shop for a ready- to- wear ugly holiday sweater, you can find some great options at a thrift store. Check your local Good Will, Salvation Army, or Savers before dropping $60 on a premade holiday sweater. Since ugly sweaters have become such a huge seller during the holiday season, you should be able to find a good selection while thrifting. Once you buy your "base sweater", you can keep it as is or embellish it with a ton of bells and whistles...literally.
Decorate with Whatever You Can Find
Speaking of bells and whistles, check out a craft store (or shop here on RebelsMarket) for a variety of patches and embellishments to glue, iron, or sew on to your sweater. Head for the scrapbooking section for things like rhinestones, ribbon, and metallic washi tape for temporary sweater decorations that you can apply with washable fabric glue or fabric tape.
Want something more permanent? Opt for iron on patches, embroidery, beads, tinsel, bells, and even colored string lights! If you are planning on sewing or ironing things on to your sweater permanently, be sure to use a delicate setting or hand wash your top. Nobody wants embellishments falling off the day before your ugly sweater party!
Rock a Customized Theme
If you're looking for a particular themed holiday sweater, you're in luck. One of my personal favorites that I've seen around are the "Stranger Things" themed tops- but I'm planning to make one of my own! Making your own holiday sweater can often be less expensive, and way more fun. Plus, you get to make it exactly how you want, and you can customize a sweater that fits you the best.
All you need is a plain colored sweater, fabric markers, and some cut out scraps of colorful fabric to pull off almost any themed sweater. For an easy DIY "Stranger Things" theme, start off by drawing a line of string lights on the sweater and cutting out pieces of fabric into the shape of the light bulbs. Glue these cut fabric pieces onto the drawn line and continue by writing "Merry Christmas", "Happy Hanukkah", or any other phrase underneath the lights to make your sweater your own. Remember, have fun and be creative!
Do you like to wear ugly sweaters during the holiday season? What is your favorite themed sweater idea that you've seen? Let us know in the comments below!
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Cover photo courtesy of The Odyssey