Ugly Sweater Season

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

Holiday parties, they're all the rage right now. Of course, with it being the holiday season, everyone wants to rendezvous and celebrate all the merriment that the past year has brought upon them and what better way to jubilate how happy you are whilst wearing your best "ugly" sweater?! The ugly sweater has fortified itself as a ritualistic piece in our wardrobes for the holiday season, and to think it all started with someone's grandmother gifting that first sweater to them! I have actually grown to love the ugly sweater movement, there's just something cute and quirky about them. The best thing about ugly sweaters, is the challenge to style them in a more elevated taste. No doubt that even the most atrocious of ugly sweaters can start a conversation from across the room with little to no styling, but that just isn't me!

I'm actually in the midst of planning a holiday party, and one of the requirements is to wear an "ugly" sweater. Since I am the hostess, I have to stand out from the crowd, just a tiny bit! I have managed to collect ugly sweaters over the years, cute and repellant at the same time but still posed with the same question, how can I wear it in a chic way?

One of my favorite ways to wear this trend is by throwing the sweater on top of a dress. I prefer a maxi dress because there's more fabric to play with than a short shift dress. It's also a fun way to play with textures, sweaters are thick and made with yarns, wools, and angoras. The dress you choose can be something slinky like a silk, maxi slip dress to juxtapose the different densities of the fabrics. Try something like this..... Asos sweater paired with, Sanctuary, Stella McCartney, and Free People.

The second option is quickly becoming my absolutely favorite, onsies/ jumpsuits! I love the idea of layering the ugly sweater with a onsie, it slighty muffles the horridness of the sweater. Although, I believe my love for wearing onsies is rooted from my childhood days of lounging around in my footed pajamas, it still holds true to being one of my favorite pieces to wear all year long. With a onsie, you'll want to make sure you wear a flat surfaced sweater, no stuffed animal obstruction! Try something like this..... J. Crew sweater paired with, R13, Lucca Couture, and Current/Elliott.

My last idea is to take a cropped ugly sweater and pair it over an oversized tee and trousers. It makes for an eloquent yet casual ensemble especially if choosing trousers over jeans. Try something like this..... Missguided sweater paired with, BooHoo tee, Dorothy Perkins tee, Madewell trousers, Vince trousers.

Hopefully I have inspired you to try out new and interesting ways to experiment with how you wear your "ugly" sweater this season. Stand out in a crowd of the most insanely, repulsive sweaters because you never know who you might meet! Dear readers, how will you wear your ugly sweater?