The tradition of wearing ugly Christmas sweaters is said to have started in the 1980s in North America. The sweaters were initially intended to be worn unironically as festive attire during the holiday season, but their popularity waned as fashion trends changed.
However, in the early 2000s, the ugly Christmas sweater began to make a comeback as a kitschy, ironic fashion statement. Parties featuring ugly Christmas sweaters as the dress code began to emerge, and the trend caught on as a fun way to celebrate the holiday season.
Since then, the tradition has continued to grow, with people taking pride in finding the most garish, tacky, and over-the-top sweaters they can. Ugly Christmas sweater parties have become a popular social event, and some people even collect vintage and rare ugly Christmas sweaters as a hobby.
Overall, the ugly Christmas sweater tradition seems to have started as a sincere attempt at festive attire that fell out of fashion but later gained new life as an ironic statement of holiday cheer. It has since become a beloved holiday tradition that continues to evolve and grow in popularity.
1. Christmas Sweater by Roynaa
Indulge in the Holiday Spirit with Roynaa’s Christmas Sweater Collection
There’s something about an ugly Christmas sweater that makes it so endearing. Maybe it’s the tacky designs or the garish color combinations that make them such a guilty pleasure. Regardless of what it is, they’ve become a beloved holiday tradition that we can’t seem to shake off.
Roynaa’s Christmas Sweater CC collection keeps the tradition alive, but with a twist. While most of the sweaters stay true to the traditional ugly Christmas sweater style (think elf bodies and Santa Claus motifs), there are a few swatches that break the mold.
One of the standout pieces is an all-black sweater with a red ribbon tied around the waist area. Not only is it slimming, but it’s also stylish and can be worn beyond the holiday season.
Another gem is a light grey sweater with white text that reads “This Girl Loves Christmas.” It’s a subtle nod to the holiday spirit without being too over-the-top, making it a versatile piece that can be worn year-round.
So why not embrace the festive season and add a little charm to your Sim’s wardrobe with Roynaa’s Christmas Sweater collection?
2. Sweater Merry Christmas by bukovka
Check out this CC by bukovka for some festive Christmas sweater designs! Personally, I think there are two designs that are actually quite wearable in public, but only during the holiday season since the prints are still Christmas-themed.
Out of the four swatches available, I really like the cream-colored sweater with the peeking Santa and Rudolph design. The placement of the print at the bottom makes the sweater look somewhat minimalist, which saves it from being too over-the-top.
The second design I like is the blue sweater with the kissing reindeer print. The more I look at it, the cuter it becomes.
The third design is the classic, garish Christmas sweater print with lines of snowmen, candy canes, Christmas trees, and reindeer on a bright red background. It’s not my favorite, but it’s a classic, so I’ll let it slide.
However, the green sweater with the elf body print is just atrocious. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone! Overall, I think these male-specific sweater designs are pretty decent.
3. Jolly Sweater by lumy-sims
Check out this CC by bukovka for some festive Christmas sweater designs! Personally, I think there are two designs that are actually quite wearable in public, but only during the holiday season since the prints are still Christmas-themed.
Out of the four swatches available, I really like the cream-colored sweater with the peeking Santa and Rudolph design. The placement of the print at the bottom makes the sweater look somewhat minimalist, which saves it from being too over-the-top.
The second design I like is the blue sweater with the kissing reindeer print. The more I look at it, the cuter it becomes.
The third design is the classic, garish Christmas sweater print with lines of snowmen, candy canes, Christmas trees, and reindeer on a bright red background. It’s not my favorite, but it’s a classic, so I’ll let it slide.
However, the green sweater with the elf body print is just atrocious. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone! Overall, I think these male-specific sweater designs are pretty decent.
4. Star Wars Christmas Sweaters by simmi98x
The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to celebrate than by wearing matching, tacky Christmas sweaters with your family? If you’re a Star Wars fan, simmi98x has got you covered with their custom sweater pack that brings together geek culture and holiday traditions.
The sweaters come in a deep blue color and feature various Star Wars elements such as the Death Star, droids, spaceships, and even festive Storm Troopers sporting Santa hats. With four different designs to choose from and meshes available for both adults/young adults and children (male and female), your entire family can get in on the Star Wars-themed fun.
The best part? This CC is 100% base game compatible, so you don’t need any additional packs or expansions to enjoy it. So, grab your lightsaber and get ready to rock some awesome Star Wars Christmas sweaters this holiday season!
5. Christmas Sweater For Kids by LazyEyelids
LazyEyelids’ CC offers a range of 21 patterns for kids’ Christmas sweaters, and I have to say, I find none of them to be ugly. While some might argue that the more embellishments a sweater has, the uglier it becomes, these designs seem to prove otherwise.
Each sweater pattern is distinctly unique, and some of them are downright adorable. There’s a cozy brown sweater with a cute kitten print, a cool bluish-grey sweater featuring an adorable polar bear, and an emerald green sweater with a tiny, bundled up reindeer.
I do wish these patterns were available for Adult/Young Adult Sims as well, but I can appreciate the exclusive appeal to children. Overall, LazyEyelids’ CC is a must-have for Sim families who want to dress up their kids in cozy and cute Christmas sweaters this holiday season.
6. Naughty Xmas Sweaters Part 2 by slythersim
The “Naughty Xmas Sweaters Part 2” CC by slythersim is a unique take on the traditional Christmas sweater. Instead of the typical holiday designs, this collection features more edgy and tongue-in-cheek prints, resembling graphic tees you might find in a Forever 21 store. Despite the “naughty” theme, the designs are relatively tame and made more casual by the cozy knit fabric.
These sweaters seem more suitable for a fun and lighthearted holiday gathering with friends or family, rather than a formal office party. They could also work as a gag gift or a way to annoy your aunt, who always complains about your fashion choices.
It’s worth noting that to use this CC, you’ll need to download the included mesh, and it’s only available for Male Sims.
7. Christmas Sweater for Males by LazyEyelids
As I perused the vast world of Sims 4 custom content, I stumbled upon LazyEyelids’s Christmas Sweater for Males. Now, I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, but I couldn’t help but feel a tinge of disappointment that the adorable animal prints I adored from the kids’ version weren’t present here. Instead, we have a majestic stag on a black background and two reindeer dancing on a blue-and-white backdrop. However, all hope wasn’t lost, as LazyEyelids included a light blue swatch with a charming cartoon polar bear that just screams wholesome holiday cheer. I highly recommend this sweater if you’re looking to snap some festive family photos with your Sims.
8. Off-Shoulder Christmas Sweater by CherryBerrySim
The Off-Shoulder Christmas Sweater by CherryBerrySim is proof that holiday outfits don’t have to be ugly. It’s a charming piece with a cable knit texture, and the fluffy white trim is the star of the show.
What’s great about this sweater is that it doesn’t look like a costume. The red swatch is particularly noteworthy, as it reminds me of a fashionable and more stylish interpretation of Santa’s iconic outfit. But let me be clear, it’s not in the “Sexy Santa or Mrs. Claus” costume sense.
It comes in eight solid colors that are festive enough without being too over-the-top. There are no obnoxious Christmas-y designs like knitted reindeer, jolly seasonal greetings, or anything like that. In fact, if it wasn’t for the white trim, it would pass as a regular off-shoulder sweater. But since the trim is present, I can confidently say that this is indeed a Christmas sweater. I highly recommend it for your Sim’s wardrobe.
9. Christmas Sweater by bukovka
CC Alert: bukovka’s Christmas Sweater is here to make a statement!
This sweater follows the same “Christmas sweater, but make it fashion!” concept as CherryBerrySim’s Off-Shoulder Christmas Sweater and lumy-sims’s Jolly Sweater.
This third one has a unique one-shoulder design that sets it apart from the other two. While it’s not as subtle as CherryBerrySim’s sweater, it’s also not as visually loud as lumy-sims’s. It manages to find a balance by having just one huge Christmas-y print at the front (rather than a dozen seasonal elements scattered all over).
It’s a shame that it doesn’t have as many color options as the other two stylish sweaters I referenced, with only three reddish-orange ones and one green one.
However, if you like this style of sweater on your Sim and they need to wear some form of Christmas sweater, this is still a great choice. It’s bold, it’s festive, and it’s bound to make a statement.
10. Matching Christmas Sweater (F) by elliesimple
The Matching Christmas Sweater (F) by elliesimple is a great choice for any Sim who wants to coordinate their holiday outfit with their partner’s. Although I couldn’t find the Male (M) version of this sweater, there are still plenty of options to choose from.
With 21 design options to pick from, this sweater is perfect for couples who want to show off their love during the festive season. The designs range from cute cartoon reindeer to more subtle patterns like snowflakes and stripes.
One of the standout features of this sweater is the couple designs. For example, the forest green swatch with the cartoon reindeer is split into two variations, one with the upper part of the reindeer on the right side of the sweater and the other with the lower half on the left. When worn together, they create a complete reindeer.
Although it’s a shame that there isn’t a Male version of this sweater, most of the prints work well on their own. So, if you’re looking for a festive and cute way to coordinate your outfit with your significant other, this sweater is definitely worth checking out!