How to Appreciate That Ugly Holiday Sweater

The holidays inspire some of humanity’s ugliest sweaters, and this year was certainly no exception. However, if you can readjust your non-precription vintage frames, a new appreciation for that cringe-worthy holiday sweater might come into view. Whether you received one as a gift, or thrust one upon a friend or relative, you may be surprised to learn that ugly sweaters have more longevity beyond the time it takes to pose for an awkward family photo.

The ugliest sweaters feature various holiday themes immortalized in knit and felt, embellished with sparkles, or even that old craft standby, puff paint. In years past, ugly holiday sweaters were resigned to the recesses of our closets and the racks of local thrift stores, but with a discerning eye for kitsch and appropriated cultural artifacts, you too can understand the full potential of your ugly holiday sweater.

This sweater belongs to a KQED employee who wishes to remain anonymous.Don’t be limited by the commonsensical notion that holiday sweaters should only be worn around the holidays. The more you can incorporate seasonal specific items into your year-round wardrobe in the name of irony, the better. One of the best excuses to resurrect the spirit of ugly holiday sweaters in the new year is to throw an “Ugly Sweater Party,” complete with a strictly tacky dress code. Needless to say, awkward photo ops abound.

If you find that your holiday sweater is not nearly garish enough for such an occasion, consider investing a few dollars in a thrift store upgrade. Keep in mind that holiday sweaters can be appreciated not only for their ugliness, but also for everything they signify, including forced familial interactions, granny D.I.Y. culture and the opportunity to appear flippant.

“Swants” from WestknitsSure, after the party, you could upcycle your mildly ugly sweaters into cozy pillowcases or classy throws, but the best way to retain the tacky essence of the holiday sweater is to turn it into something equally horrifying: like “swants.” That’s right, pants made out of a single sweater. The Icelandic company, Westknits, provides an excellent online tutorial. And the video below shows the design in action on the streets of Reykjavik set to “On and Ever Onward” by Dirty Projectors and Björk.

If you can’t muster the pastiche panache required to rock a holiday sweater any day of the year, set it free from your closet. Put that sense of nagging sentimentality aside as you donate your ugly sweater, knowing it has a better chance of finding a forever home. Or if you have more sinister intentions, re-gift your ugly sweater to an unsuspecting victim during the next holiday season.