Three sweaters to save your Christmas

By: William Pattee

Staff Writer

We buy them. We wear them. We even dedicate parties to them: The ugly Christmas sweater. It’s an ironic style move that appears annually and appears very brightly. From knit prints of snowmen to iron-on patches of Santa Claus, the ugly Christmas sweater has invaded the holiday season and is here to stay. That’s great and all, but if you’re like a small sum of people, it isn’t really your thing. So what do you do? Do you buy one and just grin and bear it? Do you decline invites to all the themed parties you’ve been asked to? The answers are no and no. You have options for every occasion.

The Classy Safety Net

Fair Isle is a festive print that has been a staple of the British Isles has been popular since 1921. It’s a go-to that lets the party know you’re festive and that you know your stuff. Grab one in a chunky lambswool like this one from J. Crew and prepare to rake in compliments. This Christmas sweater has nothing ugly about it.

The Throwback

Cardigans aren’t just for screenwriters and Mr. Rogers. When done correctly, cardigans are a classy and easy layer to add to any holiday outfit. Opt for a colorful solid, or a subtle pattern to throw over a polo or button-down.

The No-Cold Option

Your most conservative but warmest option lies in the cable-knit sweater. It’s chunky weave and textured pattern adds an extra layer of insulation, which is why they have been so popular with fisherman and arctic explorers alike. With this option, your color and pattern options are endless, but you’re most likely to find them in solid colors. If you’re daring, you can go for something like red or ivory, or you can tone it down and let another part of your outfit do the talking.