Security World

A festive sweater photographed in 2012. The source describes it as vintage; the image alone does not establish every garment’s manufacturing date. Photo: TheUglySweaterShop.com / Wikimedia Commons , CC BY 2.0 . No content alteration; resized display. The ugly Christmas sweater works because a familiar, useful garment becomes deliberately conspicuous. Reindeer, contrasting colours, bells and oversized decorations turn clothing into part of a celebration. The joke is usually that the wearer has chosen to be festive rather than fashionable. Its history is better understood as several overlapping developments than as one invention: practical knitwear, seasonal gifts, novelty clothing, screen appearances, parties and organised fundraising. Ordinary knitwear came first Knitted garments have practical and regional histories that extend far beyond Christmas. A patterned sweater made for warmth should not automatically be called a novelty Christmas jumper. Nor should the work of a maker be ...

Festive knitwear illustrating a jumper-party theme; participation does not require buying a new garment. Photo: TheUglySweaterShop.com / Wikimedia Commons , CC BY 2.0 . No content alteration; resized display. An ugly Christmas sweater party works best when the garment gives people an easy way to join in. It becomes less enjoyable when the invitation creates pressure to spend money, disclose personal circumstances or compete over someone else’s appearance. The event does not need a newly bought jumper for every guest. A re-worn garment, borrowed knitwear or a removable seasonal detail can serve the purpose. Our separate festive-sweater history explains how novelty clothing and organised campaigns became connected. Make the invitation specific and optional Say what is happening, when and where. Explain whether festive clothing is optional and whether ordinary clothes are welcome. “Wear something seasonal if you like” gives a clearer choice than an assumption that everyone owns a nov...