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Ugly Christmas sweaters are the holiday-themed clothing that everyone loves to hate. If you can look past the itchy fabric, the gaudy color schemes, the pom-poms and the slight tackiness of this holiday staple, you might be able to love it (and not just ironically)! Wearing an ugly Christmas sweater is just as much as a holiday tradition as getting treats in your stocking or bundling up in the cold, and there’s no reason you can’t look cute in one. Rock these looks over Christmas break to take an ugly Christmas sweater from drab to fab!

1. Tough and edgy
 


Prepare to divert all of your great-aunt’s awkward questions about your love life at the family party in this tough-chick spin on the ugly Christmas sweater. This edgy look paired with the silliness of an ugly Christmas sweater will play up both your serious and sassy sides.

2. Cute and girly
 



 


 


Blue stocking
modcloth.com

 

 


 


Wear this adorable look when going to a family party or Christmas dinner. Find a darker shade of the color of your sweater and match your tights to it (for example, if the main color of your sweater is moss green, your tights could be forest green). Wear a black skater skirt on top and tuck your ugly Christmas sweater into the skirt. To finish off this charming outfit, tie a ribbon of the same color scheme in your hair and slip on some patterned flats.

3. Total Christmas look
 


The one time to go all out on Christmas cheer? Your annual family holiday card! Keep your look modern with black jeans and ankle booties, but show off your holiday spirit with dangly Christmas tree earrings. If you want to add even more Christmas spirit to your look, don the ever-classic Santa hat!

4. Comfy and practical
 



Topshop blue top
$79 – nordstrom.com

 

 


 


Jockey white cami
target.com

 

 


 


The North Face pom pom beanie
thenorthface.com

 

This outfit is great for running last-minute errands before the holidays. Rather than wearing your same old school sweatshirt, slip on an ugly Christmas sweater. Pick a basic undershirt in white or black (depending on the sweater) and layer the ugly Christmas sweater on top. Wear skinny jeans and a pair of black sneakers or flats. Having your Christmas sweater as the only color on your outfit will make your kitschy pullover pop! If you want to accessorize, top off your look with a woolen knit hat in black or white.

5. Sexy and spirited
 



ASOS plus size v neck cardigan
$55 – asos.com

 

 


 


Denim skinny jeans
c21stores.com

 

 


Think there’s no way to look sexy in a Christmas sweater? Think again! Rock your festive cardigan at an ugly Christmas sweater party by pairing it with a crop top and some tight, high-waisted, acid-wash jeans. Finish this outfit with black leather over-the-knee boots, and everyone will be trying to bring you near the mistletoe.



Ugly Christmas sweaters may not be your favorite piece of clothing, but with these great tips, you can look cute in them no matter the occasion!
 

Sarah Beth Kaye is a senior at Rutgers University double majoring in English and Planning and Public Policy. At school, Sarah Beth likes to hang out with her friends, go to the public library, and get ice cream at 2 A.M. When she graduates, Sarah Beth hopes to pursue a career in writing and community organizing around women’s issues such as equal pay and women’s safety. Sarah Beth is an active member of her town’s roller derby team, and loves to pet dogs. You can follow her on twitter @speciallkaye.
Hello! My name is Vikki Burnett, and I am a graphic design intern at Her Campus. I am a graduate of the New England School of Art and Design at Suffolk University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in graphic design. Aside from designing for Her Campus, I enjoy horseback riding, painting, hiking, playing guitar, and performing in historical reenactments on horseback.