‘Ugly’ Christmas sweaters turn into hot trend

Chilly mornings and commercial jingles on nearly every channel, station and media outlet can only mean one thing: Winter is coming, and with it, the holiday season.

December also brings a holiday tradition to fend off the crisp winter air: Christmas sweaters.

“You never really see the same Christmas sweater,” said third-year molecular, cell and developmental biology student Thalia Nguyen, who said she’s a fan of the look. “People like to look unique, which is I think a big part of why people wear them.”

Christmas sweaters, often known more commonly as “ugly” Christmas sweaters or granny sweaters, are a style of festive winter-wear that starts to pop up in the weeks preceding Christmas at holiday parties and family gatherings. Although granny sweaters are usually found firmly lodged in the back of the closet the rest of the year, a new trend of boasting so-called “ugly sweaters” as day-to-day wear has started to emerge.

“I think it’s just one of those things that’s really popular right now,” said third-year molecular, cell and developmental biology student Amala John. “It’s all over social media.”

This year, some clubs have used the appeal of Christmas sweaters to raise funds. Nourish International at UCLA, a student club that reinvests profits from local business ventures into impoverished communities, launched an “ugly Christmas sweater” sale as one such venture. GlobeMed at UCLA, a club dedicated to raising funds for addressing global health and social justice issues across the world, used social media to promote its “Not-So-Ugly Christmas Sweater Sale” fundraiser.

“At GlobeMed, we try to stay on the trends,” said John, co-director of campaigns for GlobeMed at UCLA. “We saw a lot of potential in Christmas sweaters. I think it’s really adorable that Christmas sweaters are in.”

For the event, several club members hunted for Christmas sweaters at local thrift stores and carried out sales through the Facebook event page. A big driving factor, John said, was a photoshoot in which members modeled the sweaters they were selling and got to showcase different looks.

Second-year psychobiology student Caroline Fernandes, a member of GlobeMed at UCLA and a model for the photoshoot, said she enjoyed modeling the sweaters and finding ways to work them into her own style.

“I really like clothes and styling,” she said. “So I had a fun time dressing them up with my hat and my shoes. It was fun just playing around (with them).” Large retailers such as Urban Outfitters as well as specialized, online vendors like Tipsy Elves, have jumped on the trend to supply more high-end “ugly” Christmas sweaters. This year, the UCLA Store also carries two Christmas sweaters, each priced at $34.

The more traditional way to snag one, however, is through thrifting.

Several local thrift shops, including the UCLA Thrift Shop and Sunday’s Best Thrift Shop, carry a collection of Christmas sweaters year-round, with sales leading up to the holidays. Jet Rag, a vintage thrift store located near La Brea Avenue and Melrose Avenue, has a sale every Sunday where all clothes are $1.

Although mostly used for parties and special events, Christmas sweaters are now more commonly being incorporated into student fashion. Some students said they enjoy finding ways to work their sweaters into their day-to-day outfits.

“It’s fun to dress festive and in the Christmas spirit,” Fernandes said. “You have to have a certain level of confidence to pull it off.”

A big part of the resurgence of grandma sweaters, Fernandes said, is the rise of thrifting and more vintage, hipster looks.

There is still, however, no universal definition for Christmas sweaters. Most often woolen or cotton-based, Christmas sweaters come in a broad range of looks, from simple, winter patterns to more ornate Christmas designs. And of course, the over-the-top, ribboned ones that scream, “I’m festive, and I’m making a statement.”

The ideal Christmas sweater, Fernandes said, depends on the person and his or her preference.

For a universal outfit to go with any Christmas sweater, Fernandes said she recommends jeans and a pair of boots, topped off by a brimmed hat or a beanie. For more bold combinations, she recommends mixing in more personal accessories, such as snapback hats.

“When you buy a Christmas sweater from a thrift store, no one will have it,” Fernandes said. “It’s a cool, fun way to stand out.

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The holidays are coming and you definitely don’t want to be left out in the cold. Here are a few tips on finding your perfect Christmas sweater:

1. Do your research – Several thrift stores have special sales leading up to the holidays. You could end up getting your dream grandma sweater for pocket change.

2. Go in groups – Thrifting is a labor-intensive sport. The more hands you have helping you sift through racks of clothes, the more chance your whole group has of finding a group of adorable sweaters.

3. Find one that’s right for you – Christmas sweaters come in many flavors. If you have more of a relaxed, subtle style, the simpler, less festive winter sweaters may be the best match. If your style is bolder, the “uglier” and more festive the better.

4. Plan the outfit – Rocking a Christmas sweater casually is less about the sweater itself and more about what else you’re wearing. A slim pair of khaki or skinny jeans with a nice pair of sneakers and a beanie can complement the old-school grandma sweater look with a more modern, millennial finish.