A trend became rather popular in the 1980s, thanks to people like Clark Griswold, and has become the theme of many parties throughout the holiday season—the ugly Christmas sweater.
While it faded somewhat in the 1990s, the early 2000s saw a resurgence of this quirky style. According to Brian Miller, one of the authors of Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Book: The Definitive Guide to Getting Your Ugly On, the first such themed get-together took place in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 2002. There are mixed opinions on this fashion choice for those in the DFW metroplex, though.
“I think they’re fun,” Dallas-area resident Megan England, who has an Instagram account dedicated to her daily outfits, said. “I enjoy seasonal dressing. It keeps the holiday blues away.”
Dallas resident Alexis Derrow, however, prefers not to don festive sweaters when she has so many other options available.
“I’m not a fan,” she said. “Why would you want to look ugly on purpose? If you’re unattached, this is the best opportunity to look cute in sparkles. If you’re taken, it’s also a good opportunity to look good in sparkles.”
Dallas-area resident Stephanie Hone supports the ugly sweater trend, but she prefers that people would use different terminology.
“I like a good weird sweater,” she said. “Instead of ‘ugly sweater’ parties, I think they should be called ‘tacky Christmas’ parties. In my opinion, it makes the options a lot better.”
These themed parties have continued year after year and become quite popular both in the workplace setting and among friends during weeknight or weekend celebrations. England believes this is because of people’s affinity for nostalgia.
“Thrifting, consignment, and sustainable clothing are trendy, so bringing back the vintage idea of Christmas sweaters is logical, and then the trend evolved,” she said. “Also, life post-Covid makes people want to get out and live life—or just make it look like they’re living life on Insta.”
Hone believes that the parties are so well-loved because they allow people to dress a bit more comfortably. But don’t be ashamed if you are the only one who shows up in festive attire.
“People need room to eat and drink, and sweaters give room,” she said. “However, in Texas, you’ve got to make sure that where you go isn’t too hot or ensure that your sweater is light or breathable. Also, fun fact: Once, I had a friend tell me his Christmas party was a dress-up/ugly sweater party. I showed up dressed as a present with a box around me. Everyone else was dressed nicely.”
Dallas resident Dan Sullivan said he has mixed emotions about this annual fashion trend, but he agrees with Hone that they can sometimes become a bit stuffy in Texas’ unpredictable weather.
“I think, initially, when ugly sweaters became a fad, the premise was cool and fun,” he said. “But now, as the years have passed, the ugly sweater movement has become corny, if not downright nerdy. Let’s be honest, who wants to wear a sweater that’s three sizes too big and five pounds too heavy? If I want to sweat like a farm animal, I’ll take a HIIT class.”
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