Why We Wear Ugly Christmas Sweaters
They’re all the rage!
The holidays are a time for family, fun, and fashion. The traditional ugly Christmas sweater has become a staple in many households because it’s fun to wear and makes a great conversation piece. Let’s take a look at the history behind these hideous holiday sweaters!
But first, what is an ugly Christmas sweater?
An ugly Christmas sweater is a holiday-themed garment that looks like it was made for your grandma. It’s usually a knit, but these days some people wear them as regular sweaters, too (for those bold enough to be fashion-forward). An ugly Christmas sweater is typically worn at festive events, like get-togethers and parties.
The history of ugly Christmas sweaters began in the 1920s when department stores first created them to sell during Christmastime (as seasonal-style must-haves). In those days, they didn’t have much of a theme to them — they had generic designs like snowflakes or reindeer on them.
But, the modern-day tradition of wearing ugly Christmas sweaters started in the 1980s with the Young Men’s Institute (YMI) Club members in San Francisco. The clubmen started wearing festive, ugly sweaters as a joke to see who could wear the ugliest one. They would then take photos of each other and post them on their website for all to see.
