The best Christmas sweater depends on where you will wear it. For a holiday party or an ugly sweater contest, go bold with a reindeer, Santa or an all-over slogan. For family dinners and everyday December outfits, choose a softer knit with one festive detail, like a Christmas tree or gingerbread. A Christmas sweatshirt or hoodie is the coziest pick for movie nights and errands. Below are the styles to look for and how to wear them.
Three types of Christmas sweaters
- Classic knit sweaters with reindeer, snowmen, trees or gingerbread. They feel festive and work from Thanksgiving to New Year.
- Ugly sweater party picks with big graphics, bright red and bold slogans. The louder, the better.
- Christmas sweatshirts and hoodies with printed or embroidered words. Soft, relaxed and easy to wear every day.
Classic Christmas knit sweaters
Reindeer and snowman sweaters
A reindeer on red is the classic Christmas sweater. The Christmas Reindeer Graphic Round Neck Sweater has a smiling reindeer with a pom-pom nose and a striped scarf, in red, grey, black and blue, sizes S to XL. For a softer look, the Christmas Snowman Dropped Shoulder Sweater has snowmen and trees in a zigzag pattern, in five colors including blue and pink.
Gingerbread sweater
Gingerbread feels sweet without being over the top. The Gingerbread Round Neck Long Sleeve Sweater is burgundy with a gingerbread figure, candy canes and "Sweet Christmas" lettering, sizes S to 2XL. Wear it with jeans and a headband for a holiday brunch.
Shop the Gingerbread Round Neck Long Sleeve Sweater
A Christmas tree with bows
For something pretty rather than silly, try a cream knit with a small motif. The Christmas Tree Bow Drop Shoulder Knit Sweater has a green tree decorated with red bows on a white knit, sizes S to XL. It works for Christmas dinner with a skirt or tailored pants.
Shop the Christmas Tree Bow Drop Shoulder Knit Sweater
Ugly Christmas sweater picks
Santa, front and center
Nothing says ugly sweater party like a giant Santa. The SANTA BABY Graphic Long Sleeve Sweater is bright red with a big Santa face and "Santa Baby" across the front, sizes S to 2XL. Add a Santa hat and you are ready for the contest.
Shop the SANTA BABY Graphic Long Sleeve Sweater
All-over lettering
If you prefer pink to red, the All Over Merry Me Graphic Round Neck Knit Sweater is covered in "merry" lettering in pink and cream, sizes S to XL. Fun, a little loud and easy to wear again.
Shop the All Over Merry Me Graphic Round Neck Knit Sweater
Christmas sweatshirts and hoodies
A hoodie for cozy nights
For movie nights, gift wrapping and lazy weekends, a hoodie beats a knit. The MERRY CHRISTMAS Graphic Drawstring Hoodie has "Merry Christmas" lettering, a front pocket and a drawstring hood, in blush pink, black, green and lavender, sizes S to 2XL.
Shop the MERRY CHRISTMAS Graphic Drawstring Hoodie
Sweatshirts with a vintage feel
A printed sweatshirt is the easiest everyday Christmas piece. The Santa Graphic Leopard Dropped Shoulder Sweatshirt has a vintage-style Santa and leopard-print sleeves, sizes S to XL. The Christmas Tree Graphic Drop Shoulder Sweatshirt comes in six colors, from pumpkin to sage. More styles are in our Christmas sweaters collection.
Shop the Santa Graphic Leopard Dropped Shoulder Sweatshirt
How to style a Christmas sweater
- Keep the rest simple. Jeans, black leggings or a plain skirt let the sweater stand out.
- Dress it up. Tuck a knit into a satin or pleated skirt and add ankle boots for a holiday dinner. See our guide on how to style ankle boots.
- Add one festive accessory. A Christmas Knitted Beanie Hat with pom-poms or stripes finishes a party look.
- Size up for layering. Most of these sweaters have a relaxed, dropped-shoulder fit. Check the size chart if you want to wear a collared shirt underneath.
Which sweater for which occasion
- Office party: a knit with one festive motif, like the tree with bows, worn with tailored pants. Festive, but still right for work.
- Family photos: pick colors that work together rather than identical sweaters. Red, cream and green look good side by side, and soft knits photograph better than shiny prints.
- Christmas Eve dinner: a cream or burgundy knit tucked into a skirt, with ankle boots and small gold jewelry.
- Ugly sweater contest: the biggest graphic you can find, plus a hat, headband or light-up accessory. Bright red and a giant Santa usually win.
- Christmas morning: a hoodie or sweatshirt over pajama pants or leggings, so you are comfortable from the first present to the last cup of cocoa.
How to care for your Christmas sweater
A festive knit is worn for a few weeks a year, so a little care keeps it looking new for many Decembers. Always follow the care label first. As a general rule, turn knit sweaters inside out, wash them cold on a gentle cycle and lay them flat to dry, so they keep their shape. Avoid hanging heavy knits, which can stretch the shoulders. Printed sweatshirts and hoodies last longer when they are washed inside out and kept out of a hot dryer. After the holidays, fold your sweaters and store them in a dry place until next year.
Order in time for the holidays
Delivery usually takes 9 to 17 business days, so order by early December for Christmas Day, and earlier if your sweater party is in mid-December. Free standard shipping on eligible orders over US$60. Returns are accepted within 7 days in the US and 14 days in other countries on eligible items, as described in our Refund policy.
Pick one sweater for the party and one for everyday, and you are set for the whole season. Browse more knits in sweaters and knitwear.